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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #305586

Title: Management and ecology of the sagebrush steppe

Author
item Davies, Kirk
item Strachan, Urban

Submitted to: Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/2014
Publication Date: 5/15/2014
Citation: Davies, K.W., Strachan, U.D. 2014. Management and ecology of the sagebrush steppe. USDA-Agricultural Research Service. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. 55 p.

Interpretive Summary: Sagebrush rangelands provide an important forage base for livestock production and are critical habitat for many wildlife species. However, information is needed that characterizes the effects of disturbances, management actions, and their interactions on sagebrush rangelands. This report summarizes ten studies that investigated the ecology and management of sagebrush rangelands. These studies evaluated restoration of mountain and Wyoming big sagebrush communities. These studies also investigate the effects of exotic annual grass invasion, how invasive annuals spread, and methods for revegetating exotic annual grass-invaded rangelands. The results of these studies are of interest to policy makers, land and wildlife managers, and scientists. These studies provide information that is needed to manage sagebrush rangelands for sustainability and to meet the needs of multiple users.

Technical Abstract: Sagebrush rangelands provide an important forage base for livestock production and are critical habitat for many wildlife species. However, information is needed that characterizes the effects of disturbances, management actions, and their interactions on sagebrush rangelands. This report summarizes ten studies that investigated the ecology and management of sagebrush rangelands. These studies evaluated restoration of mountain and Wyoming big sagebrush communities. These studies also investigate the effects of exotic annual grass invasion, how invasive annuals spread, and methods for revegetating exotic annual grass-invaded rangelands. The results of these studies are of interest to policy makers, land and wildlife managers, and scientists. These studies provide information that is needed to manage sagebrush rangelands for sustainability and to meet the needs of multiple users.