Influence of Cattle and Big Game Grazing on Understory Structure of a Douglasfir-Ponderosa Pine-Kentucky Bluegrass Community

Abstract

A Douglasfir-ponderosa pine-Kentucky bluegrass community was studied 14 years after grazing by cattle and big game, by big game, and no cattle or big game grazing. Heavy season-long use by cattle and big game resulted in apparent retrogression. The herbaceous component of the community was substantially changed by cattle and big game grazing but not by big game grazing alone. Grazing by cattle and big game and big game only had similar effects on the browse components of the community.