Long-term effects of revegetation efforts in annual grass-invaded rangeland

Authors: Davies, Kirk; Boyd, Chad; Svejcar, Lauren; CLENET, DANIELLE - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Rangeland Ecology and Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/2/2023
Publication Date: 10/23/2023
Citation: Davies, K.W., Boyd, C.S., Svejcar, L.N., Clenet, D.R. 2023. Long-term effects of revegetation efforts in annual grass-invaded rangeland. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 92:59-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2023.10.001.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2023.10.001

Interpretive Summary: Invasive annual grasses have invaded tens of millions of hectares of the sagebrush ecosystem. Revegetation of these annual grass-invaded rangelands with perennial bunchgrasses is critical to restoring ecosystem goods and services. However, long-term evaluations of revegetation efforts are lacking, thus it remains unknown if revegetation actions have persistent effects. We evaluated the effects of controlling invasive annual grasses with burning and pre-emergent application followed one year later with drill-seeding perennial bunchgrasses for 11 yrs post-seeding. At the conclusion of the study, perennial bunchgrass cover was >16-fold greater in revegetation treatments than untreated areas. This corresponded to substantially less invasive annual grass abundance in revegetation treatment areas. This information is of interest to land and weed managers, invasive plant ecologists, and scientists.

Technical Abstract: Invasive annual grasses, such as medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae [L.] Nevski), have invaded tens of millions of hectares of the sagebrush ecosystem. These invasions severely reduce ecosystem goods and services provided, as well as increase the probability of frequent, large wildfires. Revegetation of invasive annual grass-invaded rangeland with perennial bunchgrasses is critical to reversing these negative consequences. Short-term evaluations of revegetation efforts have shown promising results. However, long-term evaluations of revegetation efforts in medusahead-invaded rangelands are lacking, so it remains unknown if revegetation attempts in these invaded rangelands have persistent effects. We evaluated the effects of controlling medusahead with prescribed burning and imazapic application followed 1 yr later with drill-seeding large perennial bunchgrasses at two seeding rates (medium and high) for more than a decade post seeding. Large perennial bunchgrass cover and density was > 16- and > 4-fold greater in revegetation treatments compared with the untreated control 11 yr after seeding, respectively. Invasive annual grass abundance was ~twofold greater in the untreated control compared with the revegetation treatments. These results suggest that revegetation efforts in medusahead-invaded rangelands can have persistent ecological benefits (increased perennials and decreased invasive annuals). The high seeding rate resulted in more perennial bunchgrass and less invasive annual grass compared with the medium seeding rate over the duration of the study, suggesting that high seeding rates may be needed to maximize benefits. Revegetation of medusahead-invaded rangelands can have long-lasting effects, though high establishment of perennial bunchgrasses is likely necessary for success.