• Wind Cave National Park - Two Worlds

    Wind Cave

    National Park South Dakota

Abstract - Grazing History, Defoliation, and Competition: Effects on Shortgrass Production and Nitrogen Accumulation

Jaramillo, V.J. and Detling, J.K. 1988. Grazing history, defoliation, and competition: Effects on shortgrass production and nitrogen accumulation. Ecology 69. pp 1599-1608.

Abstract

Plants of Bouteloua gracilis were collected from heavily grazed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies (ON-colony) and lightly grazed uncolonized sites (OFF-colony) in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota. Results support the hypothesis that genetically based morphological and physiological differentiation has occurred in B. gracilis as a result of strong selection pressure from grazing mammals on prairie dog colonies. We suggest the ON-colony population displays a strategy that reduces grazing severity rather than a 'grazing tolerance' response to aboveground herbivory.

  • Bibliography Bibliography

    Plants - Research bibliograhy of plant studies done in the park Read More

Did You Know?

Stemless Hymenoxys

The scientific name for the Stemless Hymenoxys is Hymemoxys acaulis.  Acaulis means "stemless" and referes to the leafless stalks which bear the flower heads. More...