Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
180. Neckles, H. A., J. W. Nelson, and R. L. Pedersen. 1985. Management of
whitetop (Scolochloa festucacea) marshes for livestock forage and
wildlife. Delta Waterfow1 Res. Stn. (Portage la Prairie, MB) Tech.
Bull. 1. 12 pp.
Removal of excess plant litter by either light grazing, mowing, or burning is a major management approach for developing high-yield monodominant whitetop rivergrass stands. This vegetation provides excellent forage as well as nesting and brood-rearing cover and substrate for invertebrates necessary to female and young waterfowl. If flooded during spring, burned whitetop basins yield 55% more forage than unburned stands [up to 15,080 kg/ha (13,460 lb/acre)] . Burning is not recommended where a water source is lacking because winter snow catchment and subsequent spring flooding are reduced by removal of stubble and residual growth. Suggested grazing, haying, and burning programs to simultaneously maximize forage yield and enhance waterfowl production are provided. [K-L-S]
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/literatr/firewild/bib/180.htm
Page Contact Information: Webmaster
Page Last Modified: Thursday, 03-Aug-2006 11:42:55 EDT
Menlo Park, CA [caww55]