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CALIFORNIA VEGETATION

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NATIVE GRASSLANDS

Major Points

  • California's grasslands were once vegetated by native perennial grasses. Exotic annual grasses arrived with European man and gradually displaced the native grasses. Invasion by exotic annual species, yearlong continuous grazing, drought, fire suppression and cultivation reduced or destroyed the native perennial grass and forb component of the assumed climax plant community (Burcham 1957, Bartolome 1987, Baker 1989). Apparently this is an irreversible transition in a time frame relevant to management.
  • Today annual grasses dominate the former perennial grasslands and the understory of today’s oak-woodlands. Restoration of native perennial herbaceous vegetation is a recurring management objective that has been largely unsuccessful. Researchers, managers and citizens groups have been unsuccessful at reversing the loss of native perennial grasses. Competition from invasive annuals and long dry summers apparently are insurmountable.
  • Apparently the conversion from native perennial grassland to annual grassland is irreversible unless the site can be cultivated. Many sites are too steep, too rocky, too dry or have other limitations that prevent successful native grass farming.
  • Unlike annual grasses, perennial grasses turn green sooner, stay green longer, and produce more biomass. This equates to more protein and higher value forage for both wildlife and livestock.

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    Management Reports

    Scientific Reports