What historical practice, alongside altered flood patterns, contributed to the encroachment of woody species like willow?
Answer
Natural or human-set fires
Historically, the balance between open meadows and woody encroachment was maintained by a dynamic interaction involving the wood bison's grazing and natural disturbances. Specifically, the combination of bison activity and the periodic application of natural or human-set fires was vital for keeping wet meadows open and dominated by graminoids. When modern resource management began actively suppressing these fires, coupled with changes in historical flood dynamics, the natural mechanism for preventing woody species from taking over ceased functioning. This lack of maintenance has allowed woody plants, such as willow, to encroach upon and shrink the very meadows the bison depend upon for their primary sustenance.
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