Effects of Increased Precipitation and Grazing Management on Northeastern Montana Rangelands

Abstract

To determine possible vegetation changes, 15 plant communities on public lands in the Willow Creek basin near Glasgow, Montana, that were sampled in 1960 were resampled in 1977. Most of the communities showed remarkable improvement in ground cover and forage production. Factors contributing to the changes included: (1) higher precipitation during the period between the first and second sampling than for the 10-year period prior to the first sampling, and (2) possibly, improved management practices, such as land treatments and application of rest-rotation grazing systems. These results are in conflict with the generally held view that western rangelands have deteriorated.