Authors - Kim Goodwin, Project Specialist Roger Sheley, Associate Professor Janet Clark, Director, Center for Invasive Plant Management Department Editor - James E. Knight, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Montana State University Rangeland Weed Management

Burn severity and the survival of desired plants Burn intensity  Temperature  Duration Burn severity  Moisture

Noxious weed cover and survival Expect some degree of noxious weed survival Rhizomes – vegetative root buds

Noxious weed cover and survival, cont. Assess need for revegetation Monitor

Re-vegetate, Establish, & Manage Competitive Plants When to revegetate  Vegetation canopy is inadequate  Under 20 to 30%

When revegetation is necessary Recommend for high-severity burns Moderate to high quantity weeds High nutrient, exposed ground, low shade/high light Inadequate vegetation cover

Formulating a seed mix Aggressive, quick-establishing mix Certified weed free Dependent upon:  Use  Timeline  Competitiveness  Soil  Precipitation  Temperature  Elevation

Intended Use of the Area? Livestock grazing – perennial grass No grazing – native species  Compete w/ noxious weeds  Nitrogen-fixing legumes

Competitiveness & Establishment Diverse, aggressive, quick-establishing species Generally, native species are slower and more difficult to establish

Soils Soil Texture  Sandy  Clay  Loam (45% sand, 35% silt, 20% clay) pH (6.5 to 7.5) Soluable salts (optimum = 0-8 mmhos/cm) Sodium absorption ratio (optium is <6) Organic matter (optimum is >3%)

Other things to consider Precipitation Temperature Elevation

Seedbeds & Seeding Methods No seedbed preparation  Protective layer of ash  Wet/dry, freeze/thaw action Seedbed preparation Double/triple broadcast rate No-till drill

Enhancing the establishment of seeded species Species adapted to site No ash – site prep. Adding nitrogen-fixing legumes Increasing seed rates Protective mulch cover Remove noxious weeds Defer grazing

Devising a Grazing Program Encourage desired plant growth Multi-species grazing

Devising a Grazing Program, cont. Defer until seedlings are established Avoid heavy grazing – stocking rates Alter season of use Rotate livestock Minimize bare ground Monitor

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