Eastern grasslands: Conservation challenges and opportunities on private lands

Abstract

Grasslands were once common in the eastern United States and provided habitat for numerous grassland-dependent wildlife. However, native grasslands in this region have largely been eliminated as a result of conversion to other land uses (e.g., urban development, row-crops), altered disturbance regimes (e.g., lack of fire and grazing), or conversion to introduced grasses for livestock production. Consequently, many wildlife species adapted to these environments have experienced protracted population declines, notably, northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), and other grassland-dependent bird species. Restoration of native grasslands with appropriate native plant species composition, structure, and disturbance regimes will be key to restoring at-risk wildlife. Indeed, the region still includes >20 million ha of grasslands, but these are dominated by introduced grass species and focused on cattle (Bos taurus) production. Any successful restoration strategy must engage the agricultural community, provide profitable forage production, and benefit habitat for wildlife. Furthermore, grassland ecosystems in humid regions (i.e., >95 cm annual rainfall) require frequent disturbance to prevent succession to forested conditions. Historically, these native grasslands were maintained by fire, herbivory, and their interaction. Consequently, wildlife communities in humid, native grasslands are adapted to those same disturbances and the conditions they create. Improving species composition by replacing introduced, sod-forming grass species commonly used in production agriculture (e.g., tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus] and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon]) with native grasses can be beneficial but must be accompanied by appropriate disturbance to achieve and maintain improved habitat. Therefore, developing a business case for producers to incorporate native grasses into regional agro-grasslands that include disturbance through grazing may foster large-scale improvements in habitat quality. Although Farm Bill conservation practices can make important contributions to conservation of eastern grassland-dependent wildlife, such programs are dependent on uncertain and limited federal budgets and, to provide appropriate disturbance, require management intervention at a net cost to landowners and Farm Bill programs. Thus, there exists an opportunity to improve habitat at a scale that has the potential to sustain viable populations of grassland-dependent wildlife. Therefore, we discuss the potential of a new conservation paradigm, one based on grazing systems that utilize native grasses, for filling that conservation gap.

Plant Community Response and Implications for Wildlife Following Control of a Nonnative Perennial Grass

“…Restoration of native grasslands and other early successional communities dominated by forbs, grasses, and other herbaceous plants representative of an early seral stage is a conservation focus in the eastern U.S. (Noss et al 1995, Harper 2017, Keyser et al 2019). Substantial land‐use changes through urbanization, intensified agriculture, and commercial forestry have reduced native, early‐successional plant communities (Ramankutty and Foley 1999, Drummond and Loveland 2010), and associated wildlife have experienced steep declines in recent decades (Brennan 1991, Peterjohn and Sauer 1997, Kirkland and Hart 1999, Pruitt 2000, Mcchesney and Anderson 2015).…”

A state assessment of private lands wildlife conservation in the United States

“…The missing ingredient is the next inspirational conservation leader(s), who could take us a step closer toward improving the balance of the human experience and natural resource sustainability. Visionary leaders must inspire a national environmental awareness coupled with sustainable market‐driven solutions for private lands (Echols et al , Keyser et al , McConnell ). Our work must be more strategic and adaptive (Burger et al , Riley et al ) and must better accountant for society's values and desires (Golden et al , Gamborg et al ).…”

Changing ecological and agricultural expectations for US Coastal Plain managed grasslands

“…The diverse potential funding sources of a range of seed uses increases both the area with at least some ecosystem enhancement and the probability of sustained demand for commercially available seed. Keyser et al (2019) discussed USDA conservation programs as potential contributors of cost‐share payments for such conservation practices as native grass establishment on private lands which are typically contingent upon the investment of additional funds from private landowners. Additionally, nongovernmental organizations advocating for individual wildlife species within the region may contribute funds for habitat improvement on commercially managed private lands within selected environments in the region.…”

“…Replacement of introduced pasture grasses with available native perennial grass cultivars has potential to provide some grazing for livestock while enhancing habitat for grassland birds (Keyser et al 2019), including Colinus virginianus (northern bobwhite) which is of particular conservation concern. Cultivars of some native, warm‐season, perennial grass species have been commercially available for decades.…”