Richard Keigley's Research Projects

Current research: Effect of Browsing Following Wildfire in the Missouri Breaks.

The purpose of this study is to determine if ungulate browsing will adversely affect plant communities that were established after the Black Pulaski Fire in 2006. The study area is located in eastern Montana and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

In the absence of fire, and when browsing pressure is light, plant species capable of growing through the browse zone grow to various heights depending on local site conditions and plant age. This potential height is determined by local site conditions, and can vary widely from place to place. If browsing pressure increases to a level that prevents young plants from attaining their potential stature, the structural diversity of the community will diminish as the mature (tall) plants die.

Wildfire accelerates the decline in structural diversity in two ways. First, vegetation established immediately after fire is attractive to both wild and domestic ungulates, potentially increasing browsing pressure above the pre-fire level. Heavy browsing may prevent these plants from attaining potential stature. Second, because the tall mature plants were killed by fire, the decline in structural diversity occurs over a short period. The study addressed the following general objectives:
1. Determine the long-term effect of browsing by wildlife.
2. Determine the long-term effect of browsing by livestock.
3. Determine the significance of deferring livestock grazing after wildfire.