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Wind Cave National Park
Abstract - Alteration of Bison and Black-tailed Prairie Dog Grazing Interaction by Prescribed Burning
 

Coppock, D.L. and Detling, J.K. 1986. Alteration of bison and black-tailed prairie dog grazing interaction by prescribed burning. Journal of Wildlife Management 50. pp. 452-455.

Abstract

Bison (Bison bison) use of a black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony was compared before and after a prescribed burn on adjacent, uncolonized grassland at Wind Cave National Park (WCNP), South Dakota, 1979-80. On a daily basis cow-calf herds increased their use of the burned grassland 12 x and decreased their use of the colony by 30-63% following the burn. Prescribed burns could be effective in mitigating bison impacts on colonies.

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fire on the prairie  

Did You Know?
Fire is an important factor in protecting the prairie. Historically, fires burned across the prairie every 4 to 7 years. Fires burn the small trees that would otherwise march across the prairie and turn the grasslands to forest.

Last Updated: April 20, 2007 at 18:04 EST