The Effects of Grazing, Mowing, Glyphosate and Burning on Smooth Brome in Fescue Grassland

Smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), was introduced to North America from Eastern Europe more than 100 years ago and is now valued for its high forage productivity and effective erosion control. However, its aggressive rhizomatous growth and prolific seed production enable it to invade native grassland and displace indigenous species. As smooth brome becomes dominant, biodiversity, winter forage value and habitat quality are reduced. Smooth brome invasion has important implications for grassland conservation because more  than 80 % of the Canadian native prairie has been lost to agriculture, the energy industries and urbanization. Only 10% of the fescue grassland remains, much of which has been modified by grazing and haying.