Cheatgrass-fueled wildfires are threatening critical mule deer and sage grouse habitat. Learn about one mechanism managers are using in the restoration of these imperiled grasslands.
Management Implications:
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Rejuvra® (indaziflam, Bayer) is a pre-emergence restoration herbicide that provides multi-year invasive annual grass control with a single application, while allowing for the re-establishment of desirable perennial grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
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Cheatgrass treatments on Boulder County Open Space properties resulted in increased leader growth (1.5X-2.8X) on shrub species in treated areas compared to non-treated areas, increasing critical winter forage for mule deer and elk.
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Cheatgrass treatments resulted in 4-5X increase in perennial grass biomass.
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Cheatgrass litter was reduced by 92% 8 months after treatment, and eliminated by 20 months after treatment.
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This research suggests that Rejuvra could be a useful tool in wildlife habitat improvement projects, specifically in critical winter range areas that are at high risk for cheatgrass-fueled wildfires.
J. Sebastian, S. Clark, D. Sebastian, and S Sauer. Restoring Cheatgrass Invaded Rangelands Decreases Wildfire Risk and Increases Wildlife Browse.