RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Plant, Avian, and Butterfly Response to a Native-Grassland Restoration in Southern Texas JF Ecological Restoration FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 44 OP 52 DO 10.3368/er.40.1.44 VO 40 IS 1 A1 Gowdy, Geron A1 Hernández, Fidel A1 Fulbright, Timothy A1 Grahmann, Eric A1 Wester, David A1 Vreugdenhil, Ellart A1 Henehan, Anthony A1 Smith, Forrest A1 Hehman, Michael YR 2022 UL http://er.uwpress.org/content/40/1/44.abstract AB Non-native, invasive grasses can pose a threat to biodiversity in the southern U.S. Pennisetum ciliare (buffelgrass) is an example of an introduced invasive grass that has established in southwestern rangelands and negatively influenced biodiversity. Since its introduction, millions of hectares in the southwestern U.S. have been planted with, or invaded by, buffelgrass. Buffelgrass can form monocultures that not only reduce biodiversity but can also change ecosystem processes. Native-grassland restorations may be able to mitigate such negative impacts of non-native grasses. We conducted a study to document the response of herbaceous plants (grasses and forbs) and wildlife (grassland breeding birds, grassland wintering birds, and butterflies) to a 118-ha grassland restoration (involving prescribed fire, multiple discing and herbicide applications, and native-plant seeding) in La Salle County, Texas during 2013–2019. In general, we documented a numerical increase for all three taxa (native plants, birds, and butterflies) in species richness and relative abundance on the restoration site compared to a control. Our results suggest that native-grassland restoration is possible in a landscape dominated by buffelgrass. These restoration efforts can increase plant and wildlife diversity, although the time and expense required to achieve such responses are great.