Forage, Fuels, Fire, Oh My!

 Guest post by student Emaleigh Walters -

To kick off the second section of the Clemson Prairie Ecology course, we focused our studies on collecting many samples from the different treatment plots present in the area. With the help of Dr. Aguerre we collected multiple different forage samples from each plot, and with the help of Dr. Hagan we collected data on the trees present in the area as well as plant identification of vegetative samples. With this data, we can track how fire impacts the rangeland and the different plant species in Montana, which would then clue in to the effects it would have on cattle and the other wildlife that call this beautiful land home. Because of our location on High Meadow Ranch and Frosty Creek ranch, we are specifically able to look at how the bobcat fire has affected the forage, vegetation, and trees.

Regarding the forage sampling that was done under Dr. Aguerre, we were tasked with  taking clippings from each corner of our plot in our chosen experimental setting in order to dry, grind, and analyze in a lab later. This is important, because after grinding and drying we are able to figure out the specific nutrient contents of the forage present in that plot, as well as being able to estimate how much forage is present. It is no secret that ranchers want the most nutrient packed forage available for their cattle, and this subsection of the study is important so we can gauge where the optimal forage for the cattle is located in regards to the different treatment areas, This study is also important in testing how the forage responds to wildfire, as well as thinning methods used in our plots. This section of the study was particularly meaningful to me because of my ties with working with dairy cattle back in South Carolina. High quality forage is essential in maintaining a healthy herd, but the types of forage differ in different states with different climates; as someone who has never been this far out west, it was amazing for me to see the differences in the forage here as well as the diversity of grasses present in our forage plots. All in all, this section was extremely enjoyable for me, and was also an important lesson regarding different forages that would be present in different climates and areas. Plus, I really enjoyed being able to use the hedge trimmer. 

For the next part of this section, we went over fuel and vegetative sampling in those same plots with the help of Dr. Hagan. Not only did that help us test how the differing plant species respond to wildfire, but it also helped us gauge how the trees responded to different treatments while also showing how different treatment plots contained different levels of fuels. We also got the experience to ride along and talk with Dustin and Jeff, who work for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s fire department. These talks were very informative as a whole because both Dustin and Jeff have been working with fire for a significant period of time, and they were able to give us valuable insight into the Bobcat fire because Jeff worked on it! It was a different perspective on how fire is treated that I really enjoyed, and it also gave us a chance to physically see where they worked and where the Bobcat fire actually burned (outside of our plots). Outside of the fire and the fuels analysis, the vegetation analysis was also a major component of this section with Dr. Hagan. A big component of the vegetation sampling was plant identification, and as an animal and veterinary science student I have never had to do plant identification ever before. With that said, plant ID was very frustrating and confusing for me at first, but once I got the hang of it I was able to enjoy it and really roll through the plots confidently, as well as being able to really understand why vegetative sampling is important in tracking how plants respond to wildfire. I also will hold a special place in my heart for this section on fuels and fire because it tied in to the book I read before coming to Montana, Pyrocene. Pyrocene discusses the age of fire that the Earth is currently in, and goes into detail discussing how beneficial fire can be for the ecosystem, and with this study I was truly able to see how beneficial fire can be firsthand. 

Overall, this section of the course was not only exciting for me, but it was extremely informative when it came to forage, fuels, vegetation, and fire. I got to learn about the ecosystem from an entirely different perspective than I normally would, and I really grew to appreciate it. I also was able to learn how fire can be beneficial to clearing out fuels and leading to more vegetation and grasses to grow, which will directly benefit the wildlife and cattle that get to call Montana home. In the end, something that is widely regarded as destructive actually leads to new life and new beginnings for a lot of species, and has a positive effect on the land. Aside from the plot sampling, we were also able to visit with the horses that reside on property, which made this course a perfect balance between work, learning, and fun.