Some of our mildly nonbrittle lands almost require periodic fires to break down large, woody material to release the nutrients. Standing dead vegetation in a brittle environment decomposes very slowly through a process called oxidation. Severe animal impact is required to trample the dead matter into the ground where bacteria can beak it down. Surprisingly, although nonbrittle environments produce copious quantities of biomass, there are usually very few animals associated with it. True brittle environments on the other hand, require animal life to effectively recycle nutrients.
Bacteria are unable to decompose old vegetation until it is flat on the ground.
Conventional range management allows livestock to spread out loosely on the landscape, so the animals walk gently around old plants in search of tender, young shoots. Standing dead vegetation in a brittle environment decomposes very slowly through a process called oxidation. Severe animal impact is required to trample the dead matter into the ground where bacteria can break it down. To effectively break down old vegetation requires concentrated animal impact, which is usually accomplished by putting more animals in a smaller space for shorter periods of time. Additional impact may be achieved by herding the animals, or by putting feed or supplements in areas where impact is especially desired.