ARS | Publication request: CURRENT ISSUES IN SAGEBRUSH HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Submitted to: Northwestern Naturalist
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 22, 2005
Publication Date: August 1, 2005
Citation: Boyd, C.S. 2005. Current issues in sagebrush habitat management [abstract]. Western North American Naturalist. 86(2):85-86.

Technical Abstract: Declining populations of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and other sagebrush obligates have focused attention on sagebrush habitat management. Invasive annual weeds such as cheatgrass dominate over 7,000,000 ha of Great Basin rangeland. At higher elevations, reduced fire frequency has promoted juniper invasion of sagebrush habitat. Livestock grazing impacts the majority of the sagebrush biome, but there is a shortage of literature linking grazing to quality of sagebrush obligate habitat. Management is complicated by variation in monitoring protocols across professional disciplines. Solving habitat management issues will require cooperation between a diversity of professionals including wildlife biologists, and range and landscape ecologists.