Relationship between livestock trampling and slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) abundance

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We analyzed abundance data for Lepidium papilliferum (slickspot peppergrass) from the years 2005-2008, comparing slickspots with tripped livestock triggers (penetrating livestock trampling constituting more than 10% of a slickspot) to nearby slickspots without tripped livestock triggers. We did not find any statistically significant difference in abundance of slickspot peppergrass in any comparison between slickspots with tripped triggers and slickspots without tripped triggers. Nor did we find any statistically significant difference in the magnitude of change in slickspot peppergrass abundance among years between slickspots with and without tripped livestock triggers. We conclude that any differences in abundance of slickspot peppergrass in slickspots with and without tripped livestock triggers is most readily explained as the variability inherent in ecological systems and not by any real effect of livestock trampling.

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Reference Code: U09SAG01IDUS

Full Citation: Salo, C. 2009. Relationship between livestock trampling and slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) abundance. Sage Ecosystem Science Corp., Boise, ID. 14 pp. Submitted to US Fish and Wildlife Service as part of comments on listing of slickspot peppergrass under the Endangered Species Act, Docket ID: FWS-R1-ES-2008-0096-0016.

ELECTRONIC FILE BOTANY: PLANT SPECIES: {Lepidium papilliferum}