Responses of Mountain Grassland Vegetation to Gopher Control, Reduced Grazing, and Herbicide

Abstract

Deteriorated mountain grassland range on Grand Mesa in western Colorado improved slowly during 19 years of nonuse. It improved almost as much under light grazing. In contrast, grass production increased markedly within a short time after competition from forbs and shrubs had been reduced by herbicide. Pocket gopher control for 9 years increased production of certain plant species and decreased production of others.