The south facing slope of Nithi Mountain is an important grassland ecosystem that provides important forage opportunities for ungulates. While this location has been burned in the past, the most recent fire didn't affect the large mature aspen resulting in deciduous encroachment in the grassland ecosystems.
With the objective of expanding the range of grasslands two areas were treated using both mechanical treatment of aspen and prescribed burning. Both sites: Nithi-Steiner and Nithi Mountain-Larson Grazing Lease were treated in 2010-2011 to down encroaching mature aspen in preparation for burning to maintain open grassland ecosystems on south facing slopes. Downing these trees serves to open up the grassland as well as providing fuel to carry the prescribed fire.
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