The Effects of Removal of Juniperus virginiana L. Trees and Litter from a Central Oklahoma Grassland

Abstract

We studied species composition after Juniperus virginiana tree and litter removal in a central Oklahoma grassland. Tree removal had the most significant effect on stems per quadrat and vegetation cover. Litter removal effects were not as strong. However, stems per quadrat and vegetation cover in litter removal treatments were higher than in litter intact treatments. Species richness increased for all treatments in the first year post-treatment, after which species richness declined at every sampling period and in every treatment for the duration of the study. Absolute cover of typical prairie species increased in the cut with no litter treatment whereas cover of woody forest species increased in the no cut with no litter treatment. We suggest that even without prescribed fire, redcedar tree removal may result in a return of prairie vegetation. However, additional efforts besides tree removal may be required to restore some invaded grasslands.

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“…It can change a prairie into a closed woodland in less than 100 years (Limb et al 2010) and is considered a weed tree throughout much of its range, including Oklahoma. Eastern redcedar tends to invade both abandoned land and high-diversity, non-degraded native grassland because of high seed production and rapid seed dispersal (Holthuizen and Sharik 1984;Linneman et al 2011). Juniperus species in general are a common woody invader in many grassland ecosystems (Limb et al 2010;Alford et al 2012).…”