Cheatgrass: Fire and Forage on the Range

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is an exotic species that arrived in North America in the late 19th century and has since become a dominant plant in the arid rangelands between the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, and Rocky Mountains. It is a major environmental hazard in the sagebrush plant communities, providing fuel for wildfires. This book is the first comprehensive study of cheatgrass, covering its history, biology, genetic variations, breeding system, distribution, impact on grazing management, and role in high desert wildlife. The authors also describe efforts to control cheatgrass and offer new approaches to halt its further expansion.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 366 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: University of Nevada Press

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum, downy brome) is an exotic species that emerged in North America in the late 19th century and has since become a dominant plant in the arid rangelands between the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, and Rocky Mountains. A shallow-rooted annual, it is the first grass to appear after the region's long, cold winters and has become an important forage plant for livestock and wildlife. It is also a major environmental hazard in the sagebrush plant communities where it has established itself, providing fuel for the ferocious wildfires that have ravaged so much of the Great Basin since the mid-twentieth century.

Cheatgrass is the first comprehensive study of this highly invasive plant that has changed the ecology of millions of acres of western rangeland. Authors James A. Young and Charlie D. Clements have researched the biology and impact of cheatgrass for four decades. Their work addresses the subject from several perspectives: the history of the invasion; the origins and biology of cheatgrass, including the traits that allow it to adapt so successfully to a wide range of soil and precipitation conditions; its genetic variations, breeding system, and patterns of distribution; its impact on grazing management; and the role it plays, both positive and negative, in the lives of high desert wildlife. The authors also describe efforts to control cheatgrass and offer some new approaches that have the potential to halt its further expansion.

Cheatgrass is a highly invasive plant that has caused significant ecological and economic damage in North America. It was first introduced to the region in the late 19th century and has since spread rapidly, dominating vast areas of rangeland and displacing native vegetation. Cheatgrass has several unique characteristics that make it particularly problematic, including its rapid growth rate, deep root system, and ability to thrive in a wide range of soil and precipitation conditions.

One of the primary ways that cheatgrass impacts ecosystems is through its ability to suppress native vegetation. Cheatgrass has a deep root system that allows it to extract water and nutrients from the soil more efficiently than native plants, which can lead to their decline and eventual extinction. This can have a significant impact on the biodiversity of an area, as native plants play an important role in supporting a wide range of wildlife species.

Cheatgrass also contributes to wildfires by providing fuel for fires. Its deep root system allows it to store water and nutrients in the soil, which can be released during periods of high heat and drought. This can lead to the rapid spread of fires, particularly in areas where native vegetation has been suppressed or eliminated.

In addition to its ecological impacts, cheatgrass also has significant economic consequences. It can reduce the productivity of rangeland by reducing the amount of forage available for livestock and wildlife. It can also make it difficult for farmers and ranchers to manage their land, as cheatgrass can spread rapidly and can be difficult to control.

There are several strategies that have been used to control cheatgrass, including herbicides, grazing management, and revegetation. Herbicides are the most commonly used method of control, but they can be expensive and can have negative impacts on the environment. Grazing management is another effective method of control, as it can reduce the amount of cheatgrass that is present in an area and can promote the growth of native vegetation. Revegetation is also an effective method of control, as it can help to restore the biodiversity of an area and can promote the growth of native vegetation.

In conclusion, cheatgrass is a highly invasive plant that has caused significant ecological and economic damage in North America. It has unique characteristics that make it particularly problematic, including its rapid growth rate, deep root system, and ability to thrive in a wide range of soil and precipitation conditions. There are several strategies that have been used to control cheatgrass, including herbicides, grazing management, and revegetation. It is important to continue to monitor and manage cheatgrass to prevent its further spread and to promote the restoration of native vegetation in affected areas.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647790707