Greenstrip Establishment and Management in the Intermountain West

• Main Author: Younkin-Kury, Brenda Kristine
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@USU 2004
• Subjects: Greenstrip; Intermountain West; Management; Forest Sciences
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/3788; https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4801&context=etd

Greenstrips were established at two sites in Utah to determine if seeded, grazed cool-season, perennial grasses would change fire behavior characteristics in areas currently dominated by Bromus tectorum. Frequency data were collected for both grazed and ungrazed seeded species and resident weed species. Moderate spring grazing did not negatively impact the establishment of seeded species at Camp Williams. Grazing at Promontory Point decreased Agropyron desertorum frequency and increased the frequency of Pascopyrum smithii. Biomass data collected for grazed and ungrazed treatments in both years indicated that moderate spring or winter grazing the first two years of establishment did not negatively impact seeded species. Modeled fire behavior in grazed plots indicated that fires occurring under most fire weather conditions could be managed with hand crews at Camp Williams. Simulated fire behavior at both sites indicated that management (i.e., grazing) was necessary to realize the desired fire behavior from the established greenstrips.