Potential risks of vegetation treatments to introduce and increase invasive annual grasses in rangelands of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota— A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of planned structured science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information relevant to environmental effects analyses concerned with potential increases in the distribution and abundance of invasive annual grasses (IAGs) from proposed vegetation treatments for habitat restoration. The focal environments for this synthesis are rangelands in the intermontane valleys of Montana and the northern Great Plains of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The synthesis is organized to align with the standard elements of NEPA analyses and provides information on relevant scientific studies, data availability, analysis methods, and mitigation measures. We found that the likelihood of increasing IAGs from vegetation treatments depends on treatment type and environmental context. In sagebrush ecosystems of the focal region, prescribed fire often reduces or does not increase IAGs. Treatments that cause soil disturbances, such as mechanical removals of sagebrush or firebreak constructions, are more likely to increase IAGs than other treatments. Herbicides applied to reduce sagebrush cover have not increased the proportion of IAGs in the plant community. Temperature and precipitation have been strong factors in determining IAG responses to vegetation treatments in sagebrush ecosystems of the focal region, where more precipitation in spring and summer likely provides a competitive edge to native, perennial grasses more than winter annual grasses like Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass). In grasslands, prescribed fire often reduces IAGs, but effects depend on the abundance of native species and are often short lived. Mowing can increase or decrease IAGs in grassland ecosystems. Grassland site conditions, such as southeast-facing slopes, sandier or rockier sites, or lower native species cover or richness affect the likelihood of invasion by annual grasses. Maintaining adequate cover of perennial vegetation creates rangelands that are resistant and resilient to annual grass invasions. Managers can minimize invasion potential by focusing on treatment type, placement, and seasonal timing. Herbicides also can provide effective mitigation, especially in combination with other controls such as prescribed fire or grazing. This report can be incorporated by reference in NEPA documentation, included in a project record, or provide a general reference for understanding and identifying literature about increases in IAGs associated with vegetation treatments in rangelands in this focal region.