Livestock Impacts on the Herbaceous Components of Sage Grouse Habitat: A Review

Abstract

Sage grouse are a bird of climax vegetation. Productive sage grouse habitat is more than a "sea of sagebrush." The grass/forb understory supplies food and cover components seasonally. Within the sagebrush community, a dense, residual herbaceous understory increases the likelihood of sage grouse nest su ccess. Forbs and insects are essential foods for sage grouse from early spring to early fall. Although riparian areas typically make up less than 2 percent of the sagebrush landscape, interspersed springs, streams, and meadows offer watering and feeding sites for sage grouse during summer and early fall. Livestock selectively remove grasses and forbs within the sagebrush landscape while showing a strong preference for riparian meadows once upland vegetation cures. Livestock use can impact the amount and composition of herbaceous understory depending on the class of livestock, season of use, and grazing intensity. I reviewed the literature regarding sage grouse habitat and livestock impacts to the herbaceous undcrstory. Ungrazed comparison areas, based on the seasonal needs of sage grouse, are lacking. Controls are recommended to advance our understanding of grazing impacts.