K Launchbaugh USDA Scott Bauer Tim Pearce Flickr

K. Launchbaugh USDA – Scott Bauer Tim Pearce (Flickr) Plant Response to Grazing RANGELAND PRINCIPLES (REM 151)

Plants use to strategies 1) Defend yourself to AVOID being grazed Avoid 2) Be able to survive and TOLERATE grazing Tolerate NPS. Gov

Avoid – Thorns, Spines & Awns §Slow down intake §Cause pain

Avoid – Toxins and Anti-Quality § Kill animal § Make animal sick § Cause pain Jennifer Peterson Sheri Hagwood - BLM NPS. gov K. Launchbuagh

Tolerate Defoliation Ability to tolerate depends on: • Location of Growth Points • Resources for recovery • Carbohydrates (energy for growth)

Location of Growing Points Meristems = growth points for new leaves and stems Meristem

Location of Growing Points Location depends on the season

Location of Growing Points Growing point present…growth continues If removed…growth stops and new growth initiates from buds

Resources for Recovers SPRING MOIST better than FALL DRY

Carbohydrates (Energy) for Regrowth Growing Season § Leaves photosynthesize and create energy § Some energy stored in roots Jen Peterson

Carbohydrates (Energy) for Regrowth Dormant Season Jen Peterson Univ. of Nevada Coop. Ext.

K. Launchbaugh USDA – Scott Bauer Tim Pearce (Flickr) Plant Response to Grazing RANGELAND PRINCIPLES (REM 151)