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Modeling Herbaceous Biomass for Grazing and Fire Risk Management

Author

Listed:
  • Edward C. Rhodes

    (Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas Water Resources Institute, 1001 Holleman Drive East, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Douglas R. Tolleson

    (Texas A&M AgriLife Research, P.O. Box 918, Sonora, TX 76950, USA)

  • Jay P. Angerer

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, 243 Fort Keogh Road, Miles City, MT 59301, USA)

Abstract

Both grazing and fine fuels management are dependent on the temporal and spatial distribution of herbaceous biomass production. Rangeland and wildland fire managers can both benefit from knowing when and where there is excessive herbaceous biomass buildup. In this study, we compared modeled herbaceous biomass outputs from the Phytomass Growth Simulator (Phygrow) to observe and predict herbaceous production on desert, juniper, and pine sites on the Coconino National Forest in Arizona. Models were validated with: (a) 2 years of quarterly data, and (b) fire season-only data. The Phygrow model showed strong agreement between observed and predicted values year-round on the desert (r 2 = 0.73) and pine sites (r 2 = 0.69), and a lower, but positive agreement in the juniper sites (r 2 = 0.54). Fire season predictions were strong for all ecosystem types (desert r 2 = 0.89; juniper r 2 = 0.62; pine r 2 = 0.94), suggesting that the Phygrow model is well suited to provide valuable decision support information with which to address both rangeland and fire management objectives.

Suggested Citation

  • Edward C. Rhodes & Douglas R. Tolleson & Jay P. Angerer, 2022. "Modeling Herbaceous Biomass for Grazing and Fire Risk Management," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:10:p:1769-:d:939977
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zilverberg, Cody J. & Angerer, Jay & Williams, Jimmy & Metz, Loretta J. & Harmoney, Keith, 2018. "Sensitivity of diet choices and environmental outcomes to a selective grazing algorithm," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 390(C), pages 10-22.
    2. Lee, Andrew C. & Conner, J. Richard & Mjelde, James W. & Richardson, James W. & Stuth, Jerry W., 2001. "Regional Cost Share Necessary For Rancher Participation In Brush Control," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 26(2), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Zilverberg, Cody J. & Williams, Jimmy & Jones, Curtis & Harmoney, Keith & Angerer, Jay & Metz, Loretta J. & Fox, William, 2017. "Process-based simulation of prairie growth," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 351(C), pages 24-35.
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