ABOUT THE COLLECTIONS

Welcome to the Rangeland Ecology & Management archives. The journal Rangeland Ecology & Management (RE&M; v58, 2005-present) is the successor to the Journal of Range Management (JRM; v. 1-57, 1948-2004.) The archives provide public access, in a "rolling window" agreement with the Society for Range Management, to both titles (JRM and RE&M), from v.1 up to five years from the present year.

The most recent years of RE&M are available through membership in the Society for Range Management (SRM). Membership in SRM is a means to access current information and dialogue on rangeland management.

Your institution may also have access to current issues through library or institutional subscriptions.

Print ISSN: 0022-409x

Online ISSN: 1550-7424

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Recent Submissions

  • Writing for your audience

    Young, James A. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
  • Writing for the reader

    Hart, Richard H. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
  • What do researchers like to read?

    Wright, Henry A. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
  • Water and nitrogen effects on growth and allocation patterns of creosotebush in the northern Chihuahuan Desert

    Fisher, F. M.; Zak, J. C.; Cunningham, G. L.; Whitford, W. G. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    A field experiment using 2 patterns of irrigation and 1 level of nitrogen fertilizer (10 g-N m-2) was conducted in order to discern water and nitrogen interactions that may control production of creosotebush, (Larrea tridentata (D.C.) Cov. The 2 patterns of irrigation simulated precipitation from small, frequent events (6 mm water added weekly) or large, infrequent events (25 mm water added monthly). Understanding the factors controlling the production of this rangeland shrub may aid in the development of strategies for its management. Vegetative growth occurred mostly during March-May (spring) and August-October (summer-fall). Fruit production occurred mainly in the spring and root growth occurred mainly in the summer-fall. Irrigation increased vegetative growth and decreased fruit production. Responses to irrigation were greater during summer-fall than in the spring. Small, frequent water additions caused larger increases in vegetative plus fruit growth than did large, infrequent water additions. Nitrogen fertilization increased the growth of both vegetation and fruit in irrigated and unirrigated plots. Stem mortality and root growth were not significantly affected by irrigation or nitrogen fertilizer. These results suggest that creosotebush production is limited by both soil moisture and nitrogen availability and that temporal patterns of rainfall may be as important as total amounts.
  • Viewpoint: Who are those Smiths?

    Beetle, Alan A. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
  • Variability within a native stand of blue grama

    McGinnies, W. J.; Laycock, W. A.; Tsuchiya, T.; Yonker, C. M.; Edmunds, D. A. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    Considerable variability and patchiness have been observed within sites of native range dominated by blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Griffiths] range at the Central Plains Experimental Range, Weld County, Colorado. Patches containing tall plants of blue grama with many seedstalks were interspersed with patches of short plants with few seedstalks. Differences in plant height were not entirely related to soil properties. Relative differences in plant height among plants collected in the field were maintained when these plants were grown in a greenhouse environment. "Dry spots" (usually 2 to 4 m in diameter) that contain dark-colored, wilted plants have also been observed during dry, hot weather. We found several differences in soil properties that could be responsible for the dry spots. All differences in soil properties were within the range for the soil series of the experimental site, an Ascalon fine sandy loam (Aridic Argiustoll). Sixty-two plants of blue grama were collected based on their variability from a single pasture, increased vegetatively in the greenhouse, and transplanted into a spaced-plant nursery. In the third growing season following transplanting, mean values for measurements on replicated clones ranged from 202 to 719 reproductive culms per ramet, 25 to 46 cm height of reproductive culms, 17 to 24 cm basal diameter, 39 to 93 grams dry matter per ramet, and from 11 June to 20 July for first anthesis. Somatic chromosome numbers were determined for 60 plants and 55 were tetraploids (4x = 40), 3 were pentaploids (5x = 50), and 2 were hexaploids (6x = 60). We concluded that the observed variability and patchiness apparently result from a combination of both genetic and edaphic factors.
  • Use of UV absorption for identifying subspecies of Artemisia tridentata

    Spomer, G. G.; Henderson, D. M. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    Use of UV absorption spectra for identifying subspecies of Artemisia tridentata Nutt. was investigated by analyzing the relative optical densities of alcohol extracts from herbarium and fresh plant material at 240 nm, 250 nm, and 265 nm. In all but 1 comparison, mean relative optical densities were significantly different (p=0.95) between subspecies, but intraplant and intrasubspecies variation and overlap was found to be too large to permit use of UV absorbance alone for identifying individual specimens. These results held whether dry or fresh leaves were extracted, or whether methanol or ethanol was used as the extracting solvent.
  • Toxicological investigations on Ruby Valley pointvetch

    Williams, M. C.; Molyneux, R. J. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    Ruby Valley pointvetch (Oxytropis riparia Litv.), a native of the central Soviet Union, was inadvertently introduced into the United States during the early part of the 20th century. Ruby Valley pointvetch has long been established in southwestern Montana, is spreading into Wyoming and Idaho, and is being investigated for its potential as a forage plant. The plant was analyzed for aliphatic nitro compounds, soluble oxalates, nitrates, cyanide, and swainsonine. Swainsonine is found in 2 native Oxytropis species and causes the loco syndrome and congestive heart failure. The plant was tested for toxicity to 1-week-old chicks. Ruby Valley milkvetch tested negative for aliphatic nitro compounds, soluble oxalates, cyanide, and swainsonine. Nitrates were present at nontoxic levels. Leaves, stems, seeds, and pods were nontoxic when fed to chicks for 5 days at 1% of body weight as dried plant. Extracts of these plant parts fed in one dose at 10% of body weight (as dried plant) were likewise nontoxic.
  • The use of comparative yield and dry-weight-rank techniques for monitoring arid rangeland

    Friedel, M. H.; Chewings, V. H.; Bastin, G. N. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    The comparative yield (CY) method for estimating pasture dry weight and the dry-weight-rank (DWR) method for determining species composition were applied in a variety of arid vegetation types by several operators. The methods were evaluated for their suitability in a range monitoring program, on the basis of consistency of estimates and the time taken. Four calibration regressions for the CY technique were compared initially and, of these, linear regression of untransformed data is recommended. Differences among operators' yield estimates were unacceptably large, and the procedure of standard selection and calibration was too slow. We suggest that photographic standards can reduce the time taken and improve precision. The DWR technique was recommended because operators achieved consistent estimates of species composition within 80 minutes, which we regarded as a reasonable time for a monitoring procedure. Weighted multipliers did not improve composition estimates. The technique was easy to use but initial training of operators was important. While fixed quadrats would probably reduce differences caused by spatial variability, time spent relocating quadrats could be excessive.
  • Simulation and management implications of feral horse grazing on Cumberland Island, Georgia

    Turner, M. G. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, is inhabited by a population of feral horses that intensively graze the island's salt marshes. Based on 18 months of experimental grazing studies, a carbon flow simulation model was developed for a medium height Spartina alterniflora marsh and used to estimate an acceptable population size of feral horses. Five-year simulations indicated a threshold of 2,700 kg/ha aboveground Spartina biomass below which the system did not recover if intensive grazing continued. The difference between this threshold and annual peak biomass of ungrazed Spartina was used to estimate horse densities that would not cause marsh degradation. Results suggest the horse population should number between 49 and 73 horses if excessive damage to the salt marshes is to be prevented. Thus, the current population of 180 horses should be reduced.
  • Root excision and dehydration effects on water uptake in four range species

    Bassiri, M.; Wilson, A. M.; Grami, B. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    Germinating seeds of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum), Russian wildrye (Elymus junceus), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer) were dehydrated for 4 days at -22 MPa, and/or their roots were excised, and used as treated materials. In an experiment in root growth boxes, where the seedlings depended for 60 days on the initial soil water supply, seminal primary and seminal lateral roots of grasses penetrated to the same depth. Both types of roots were similarly effective in taking up water, mainly from the upper 50 cm of the soil profile. In a sealed pot experiment under favorable moisture conditions, water uptake increased with seedling age up to 34 and 41 days for crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye, respectively, and up to the end of the experiment (53 days) for the legume species. Leaf area of grasses was not affected by root excision alone, but it decreased due to the combined effects of root excision and temporary dehydration. Leaf area was generally proportional to water uptake within each species. In all 4 species, root excision and temporary dehydration did not affect transportation rates, while transportation rate decreased as a function of age. Transportation rates were higher in legumes than grasses and were higher in Russian wildrye than crested wheatgrass.
  • Reader expectations: How important to meet?

    Fischbach, David A. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
  • Plant community development on petroleum drill sites in northwestern Wyoming

    Smith, P. W.; Depuit, E. J.; Richardson, B. Z. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    Plant community and soil development were investigated on oil/gas drilling sites occupying both sagebrush and coniferous forest vegetation types in northwestern Wyoming. Sites ranged from 3 to 33 years in age since abandonment. Some sites were seeded at abandonment, while others revegetated naturally. Vegetation and soils were sampled and compared on disturbed and adjacent undisturbed sites. Both soils and vegetation were altered by drilling activities. Disturbed soils generally had higher bulk density and pH and lower organic matter content than undisturbed soils. All disturbed sites were vegetationally dissimilar to adjacent native sites. However, sagebrush disturbances were progressing toward undisturbed conditions more rapidly than coniferous forest disturbances. Seeding accelerated vegetation development, although at different rates between sagebrush and coniferous forest disturbances. Seeding and establishment of introduced grass species on disturbed sites did not prevent natural recolonization of native species.
  • Peer review of technical manuscripts

    Frasier, Gary W. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
  • Optimal stocking rate for cow-calf enterprises on native range and complementary improved pastures

    Hart, R. H.; Waggoner, J. W.; Dunn, T. G.; Kaltenbach, C. C.; Adams, L. D. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    Complementary pasture-native range systems are known to increase production per cow and per hectare of cow-calf enterprises, but the proper ratio of complementary pasture to range and the optimum stocking rate on each has not been established. From 1978-1985, crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.]-native range and meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem. and Schult.)-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-native range systems were grazed by cow-calf pairs and yearling heifers at a range of grazing pressures. Gains of all classes of cattle and conception rate of cows remained constant across a range of low grazing pressures, then declined linearly as grazing pressure increased. These response functions were used to calculate economically optimum pasture-to-range ratios and stocking rates at 1980-1984 average costs and prices. The optimum ratio of crested wheatgrass to range at estimated yields, costs and prices was 1:3.94 (0.66 ha of wheatgrass and 2.60 ha of range per animal unit), which returned $35.70/ha to land, labor, and management. Usual ratios of 1:8 to 1:12 were much less profitable. At optimum stocking rates, the brome-alfalfa-native range system returned only $3.38 more per hectare than the crested wheatgrass-native range system, not enough to pay additional cost of irrigation. Optimum ratios, stocking rates, and returns will vary with levels of forage production, production costs, and livestock prices.
  • Methods of ytterbium analysis for predicting fecal output and flow rate constants in cattle

    Coffey, K. P.; Pickett, E. E.; Paterson, J. A.; Hunt, C. W.; Miller, S. J. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    Continuous or pulse doses of Yb-labeled feedstuffs with subsequent fecal sampling can be used to estimate digesta passage rates and fecal output in ruminants. However, the validity of such estimates is affected by mineral elements in fecal samples that interfere with atomic absorption analysis of Yb. A procedure was developed involving co-precipitation (CoP) of Yb with lanthanum (La) oxalate at pH 1.0 to separate Yb from interfering elements present in the fecal matrix. The procedure was tested for accuracy of Yb determination, repeatability, and for validity of predicting fecal output. Repetitive analysis of the same sample resulted in a coefficient of variation of 2.2% for the CoP technique. An experiment using 12 mature Angus cows offered 1 of 4 diets tested the accuracy of predicting fecal output using one- and two-compartment models. Cows were pulse-dosed with Yb-marked orchardgrass neutral detergent fiber, and fecal samples were collected from the rectum at 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 32, 40, 48, 60, 72, 84, and 96 h after dosing. Ytterbium content of fecal samples was determined by neutron activation (NA) or atomic absorption spectrophotometry after slow oscillation of the fecal ash for 12 h in 3 M nitric and 3 M hydrochloric acid (acid leaching; AL) or CoP of Yb with La oxalate. For fecal Yb concentrations fit to the one-compartment model, the k0 parameter (scaling factor related to initial marker in the age-dependent compartment) was greater (P<.05) for CoP than for AL or NA. Likewise, calculated first appearance of marker (Tau) and the age-dependent rate constant (k1) were greater (P<.05) for CoP than for NA. For the two-compartment model, the initial marker concentration estimate (lambda0) was greater (P<.05) for CoP than for NA or AL, and Tau was less (P<.10) for NA than for CoP. Rate constant estimates (lambda1, lambda2) were not affected by method of analysis. For both models, fill and retention time estimates differed (P<.05) between CoP and NA. Fecal output estimated from both models was similar to actual fecal output for CoP, but the one-compartment model estimate of fecal output for AL and NA over-estimated (P<.05) actual fecal output. Likewise, the two-compartment model estimate of fecal output for NA was greater (P<.05) than actual fecal output. Co-precipitation of Yb with La oxalate appears to be a valid analytical procedure that may yield more accurate estimates of fecal output than other reported procedures.
  • Fire effects on tobosagrass and weeping lovegrass

    Roberts, F. H.; Britton, C. M.; Wester, D. B.; Clark, R. G. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    Fireline intensity (kW/m) was measured on 61 plots of weeping lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees.] and tobosagrass [Hilaria mutica (Buckl.) Benth.] burned as headfires and backfires during late winters of 1982 and 1983 in western Texas. Relative humidity, air temperature, wind speed, soil moisture, soil temperature, and fuel moisture were measured at time of burning. Vegetation response was based on plant yield, plant height, and number of seed stalks. Plant responses were not correlated with fireline intensity or any of the environmental parameters measured. Although fireline intensity is an important fire behavior measurement, high fireline intensities did not cause a negative impact on either weeping lovegrass or tobosagrass. Therefore, range managers can conduct high intensity fires to damage or burn down shrubs and not damage these grasses.
  • Estimation of phytomass for ungrazed crested wheatgrass plants using allometric equations

    Johnson, P. S.; Johnson, C. L.; West, N. E. (Society for Range Management, 1988-09-01)
    The allometric relationship between plant volume and phytomass of crested wheatgrass was studied for the 1981, 1983, and 1984 growing seasons in west-central Utah. Basal diameters, canopy diameters, and standing plant heights were measured for individual plants. Three models of volume (basal elliptical cylinder, canopy elliptical cylinder, and elliptical cone section) were tested as predictors of plant phytomass using nonlinear regression. Elliptical cone section produced the highest R2 and lowest SEE, but requires measurement of canopy diameters which may be subject to excessive measurement error. Basal elliptical cylinder produced R2 and SEE values nearly comparable to those of the elliptical cone section; moreover, this model does not require measurement of canopy diameters, making it the practical choice. Nonlinear regressions for plants by size class (small, medium and large) were produced using 1983 data. Predictive ability of size class-specific equations was compared to that of the equation for all size classes combined. When phytomass of only small or medium size class plants was predicted, the SEE of size class-specific equations was slightly lower than the SEE of the equation for all size classes combined. When phytomass of plants from all size classes was predicted, however, the equation for all size classes combined produced the lowest combined SEE for new data (i.e., data not used to generate the equation). There were substantial year-to-year differences between equations, which indicates the necessity of producing new equations each year.

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