Effects of fire and grazing on vegetation in northern Chihuahuan Desert grasslands

TitleEffects of fire and grazing on vegetation in northern Chihuahuan Desert grasslands
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsDrewa P.B., Peters DC, Havstad K
Conference NameSociety for Range Management, New Mexico Section Winter Meeting
Date PublishedJanuary 8, 2002
Conference LocationLas Cruces, NM
ARIS Log Number151586
AbstractWe examined experimentally the effects of growing-season fires and livestock grazing on plant community structure in Chihuahuan Desert grasslands of southern New Mexico. Four 200m x 200m plots were established in each of four different blocks. Treatments were either applied or not applied, resulting in four treatment combinations that were each assigned randomly to one of the four plots within each block. Fires were prescribed in June 1999. Beginning in September 1999, unfenced plots were exposed to 12 months of continuous livestock grazing where utilization was