A Historical Perspective of Montana's Sagebrush

Abstract

Sagebrush (Artemisia)/grasslands are declining in Montana and throughout the West. Sagebrush grasslands have existed for over 10,000 years in equilibrium with climatic conditions and just over 100 years under the influence of livestock grazing and other human interventions. Observations from early explorers and settlers indicate that big sagebrush was a dominant plant on much of the western rangeland region. Until 1934 sagebrush/grassland was used in whatever fashion the land users chose. The Forest Reserve Act gave the first authority to manage what became the National Forest Lands. The Taylor Grazing Act began Federal management of overgrazed rangelands on the remaining public lands known as the Public Domain. Since World War II the destruction of sagebrush has been accomplished through plowing, reseeding, chaining, chemical treatments, prescribed and wild fire, and increased agriculture conversion. Less than one half of the original sagebrush/grasslands remain. Conservation efforts of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and other organizations protect some of these important rangelands.