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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #317308
Title: Conifer removal in the sagebrush steppe: why, when, where, and how?

Author
item MAESTAS, JEREMY - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item ROUNDY, BRUCE - Brigham Young University
item Bates, Jonathan - Jon

Submitted to: Forest Service General Technical Reports
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/22/2015
Publication Date: 7/8/2015
Citation: Maestas, J.D., Roundy, B., Bates, J.D. 2015. Conifer removal in the sagebrush steppe: why, when, where, and how?. Sage Grouse Iniatitive General Technical Reports. Available: http://www.sagegrouseinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/4_GBFactSheet_Conifer-Management.pdf

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Over the past 150 years, juniper and pine woodlands have increased in both distribution and density across the sagebrush steppe of the Intermountain West. To restore sagebrush steppe plant communities the application of mechanical and prescribed fire treatments are used to remove the influence of encroaching woodlands. Predicting post-treatment vegetation response is most reliable in young woodlands (<60 yrs old) but becomes increasingly difficult as woodland development advances. Managers should prioritize treatments to areas where there remains sufficient desirable vegetation for shrub-steppe plant communities to recover without requiring additional inputs such as seeding or weed control.