Cheatgrass Die-Offs: A Unique Restoration Opportunity in Northern Nevada

Abstract

On the Ground The phenomenon of cheatgrass die-off is a common and naturally occurring stand failure that can eliminate the presence of this annual grass for a year or more, affecting tens of thousands of hectares in some years. We designed a study to determine if the temporary lack of cheatgrass caused by die-offs is a restoration opportunity. We seeded native perennial species at three die-offs in the Winnemucca, Nevada, area. Native grass establishment in die-offs was almost three times higher in the first season at all sites, relative to adjacent areas without die-off. Establishment was five times higher in the die-off at two sites in the second season, and plants produced dramatically more culms in the die-off at the third site in the third season. Increasing seed rates led to more seedlings establishing in both die-offs and controls, with the strongest effect in the second season. We suggest that landowners and managers consider targeting die-offs as efficient locations to focus native restoration e...