Publication Date
1989
Description
Annual grasslands in California's Mediterranean climate are generally believed to have been dominated by perennial grasses prior to European settlement (Burchan, 1957 ; Heady, 1977). Numerous exotic annual species have been introduced, naturalized, and now dominate grassland communities. Overgrazing by domestic livestock and replacement by aggressive introduced annuals are regarded as the primary factors responsible for the displacement of perennial species. Range scientists and managers have established a doctrine that annual grasslands are now fundamentally different from perennial grasslands. The range management profession's current goal for proper grazing of annual grassland is simply to maintain adequate litter on the soil surface (Anonymous, 1983 ; Bartolome et al., 1980). As a government range specialist assisting range managers in developing management plans throughout northern California's diverse annual grasslands, my observations and experience lead me to question (as have other workers) widely held beliefs regarding the potential role of perennial grasses and grazing management. In this paper five of these beliefs, which are entrenched in current management practices and recommendations, are identified and briefly compared with evidence observed in the field.
Citation
King, R J., "Comparing California Annual Grassland Management Beliefs with Evidence from the Field" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 41.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session13b/41
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Comparing California Annual Grassland Management Beliefs with Evidence from the Field
Annual grasslands in California's Mediterranean climate are generally believed to have been dominated by perennial grasses prior to European settlement (Burchan, 1957 ; Heady, 1977). Numerous exotic annual species have been introduced, naturalized, and now dominate grassland communities. Overgrazing by domestic livestock and replacement by aggressive introduced annuals are regarded as the primary factors responsible for the displacement of perennial species. Range scientists and managers have established a doctrine that annual grasslands are now fundamentally different from perennial grasslands. The range management profession's current goal for proper grazing of annual grassland is simply to maintain adequate litter on the soil surface (Anonymous, 1983 ; Bartolome et al., 1980). As a government range specialist assisting range managers in developing management plans throughout northern California's diverse annual grasslands, my observations and experience lead me to question (as have other workers) widely held beliefs regarding the potential role of perennial grasses and grazing management. In this paper five of these beliefs, which are entrenched in current management practices and recommendations, are identified and briefly compared with evidence observed in the field.
