Eastern grasslands: Conservation challenges and opportunities on private lands

Abstract

ABSTRACTGrasslands 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. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.