LOOK MA, NO CHEATGRASS!
The livestock industry would like you to believe that infestations of the invasive weed cheatgrass are caused by fire, and livestock have very little to do with it. Not so.
Here’s a photo from last weekend from the Idaho National Laboratory, lands that burned around 2000. And lo – despite the fire, no cheatgrass. About half of INL is closed to livestock, as it turns out. And without overgrazing by domestic livestock, which is chronic on western public lands, the native bunchgrasses (bluebunch wheatgrass, here) are the post-fire dominants, not cheatgrass.
I have not seen supporting evidence but any good news on cheatgrass is welcome.
It’s a beautiful sight…