The Effects of Weather Modification on Northern Great Plains Grasslands: A Preliminary Assessment

Abstract

Possible effects of weather modification on Northern Great Plains Grasslands are examined using published reports on community-water relations. It is concluded that (1) long-term incremental forage production will be governed by the effect of added water on nutrient cycling rates; (2) community composition will change, but the nature of the change will depend on the timing of added precipitation; and (3) increased forage in the absence of increased nitrogen may have a neutral or negative effect on livestock weight gains.