Vole-driven restoration of a parariparian meadow complex on the Colorado Plateau (south-central Utah)

摘要: Rapid and substantial reductions in the local density of invasive rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) have been achieved on a shrub-infested meadow complex solely by manipulating grazing so as to benefit native vole, Microtus montanus. The key adjustment has shift from spring-summer late season grazing, thereby allowing sufficient growth herbaceous vegetation offer suitable vole habitat. We hypothesize that voles were instrumental defending many historic western meadowlands against woody shrub encroachment, but now widely displaced livestock competition. This suggests could prove an important restoration tool certain shrubdominated rangelands.