Survival of juvenile basin big sagebrush under different grazing regimes
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Authors: M. K. Owens, and B. E. Norton
Date: 1990
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 43
Number: 2
Pages: 132-135
Summary of Methods: Owens and Norton measured the survival of basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. tridentata) in seeded pastures, that were continuously grazed or grazed in a short-duration system, to determine the effects of these grazing management strategies on shrub encroachment. After one year of grazing, survival of juvenile big sagebrush plants was greater in the short duration grazing system and mortality of small sagebrush plants was greater in the season-long pastures. Within the ten short duration grazing pastures, sagebrush survival was greater in intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) dominated pastures than in crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) dominated pastures, due to the reduced competition of the rhizomatous form of intermediate wheatgrass compared to the bunches of crested wheatgrass. Short duration grazing promoted shrub encroachment more than season-long grazing and the reduced mortality of small sagebrush plants. The increased survival rates of all sagebrush plants in short duration pastures indicate that shrub management actions should be taken to avoid the invasion of sagebrush plants in this pasture community.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: basin big sagebrush, artemisia tridentata spp. tridentata, short duration grazing, crested wheatgrass, agropyron desertorum, shrub encroachment, pasture management
Annotation: Continuously grazed pastures were seeded with crested wheatgrass and stocked at 30 AU on 28 ha for 90 days. Short duration pastures were seeded with intermediate wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, and a mixture of these species and tall wheatgrass. The 10 pastures were grazed by 90 heifers, three times during the 90 day grazing season, approximately 2-3 days was spent in each 8.4 ha pasture.
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