Cheatgrass Die-Offs: A Unique Restoration Opportunity in Northern Nevada

On the Ground
- The phenomenon of cheatgrass die-off is a common and naturally occurring stand failure that can eliminate the presence of this annual grass for a year or more, affecting tens of thousands of hectares in some years.
- We designed a study to determine if the temporary lack of cheatgrass caused by die-offs is a restoration opportunity. We seeded native perennial species at three die-offs in the Winnemucca, Nevada, area.
- Native grass establishment in die-offs was almost three times higher in the first season at all sites, relative to adjacent areas without die-off. Establishment was five times higher in the die-off at two sites in the second season, and plants produced dramatically more culms in the die-off at the third site in the third season.
- Increasing seed rates led to more seedlings establishing in both die-offs and controls, with the strongest effect in the second season.
- We suggest that landowners and managers consider targeting die-offs as efficient locations to focus native restoration efforts and that restoration practitioners should consider increasing seeding rates to maximize success.