Patch-Burn Grazing: A Management Practice Affecting Vegetation and Wildlife Habitats in Northern Tallgrass Prairies

Strategic Insights -

Investigations into the effects of patch-burn grazing on vegetation structure and wildlife habitats have been conducted in two northern tallgrass prairies. The research demonstrated that patch-burn grazing increases spatial heterogeneity in vegetation height and structure, creating a range of habitats for different wildlife species. However, this practice may also affect plant invasion and plant biodiversity, especially when higher stocking rates are applied.

Key Takeaways:

  • Patch-burn grazing creates spatial heterogeneity in vegetation height and structure by rotating burn locations.
  • This management practice increases the range of habitats available for different wildlife species.
  • At a site with a lower stocking rate and more burn units, grazing reduced vegetation structure by 18%-65% points in some units and years.
  • Native richness increased by 15% over 6 years in both treatments, while non-native richness did not change, but smooth brome frequency increased over 200%.
  • Grazing also increased non-native richness by 38% points but did not change mean C calculated without non-natives at a site with a higher stocking rate and fewer burn units.
  • The research suggests that patch-burn grazing can achieve structural heterogeneity and sustain native plant species richness in small northern tallgrass prairie remnants.
  • Higher stocking rates can stimulate the emergence of non-native species present in the seed bank from past land use, and patch-burn grazing would not be effective in suppressing the smooth brome invasion.

Statistics:

  • Vegetation structure was reduced by 18%-65% points in some units and years.
  • Native richness increased by 15% over 6 years.
  • Non-native richness increased by 38% points.
  • Smooth brome frequency increased by over 200%.
  • Mean C calculated without non-natives did not change.
  • Grazing promoted spatial heterogeneity by reducing vegetation structure.

Sources:

  • "Comparing the Impacts of Patch-burn Grazing On Vegetation In Two Northern Tallgrass Prairies" (Conservation Science and Practice, 2025)
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Fred S. Harris, Minnesota Biol Survey, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Rd, St. Paul, MN 55155, United States
  • NewsRx LLC, 2025 (New Findings in Conservation Science and Practice Described from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, EcoHealth, October 31, 2025; p 583)