VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Bromus ciliatus | Fringed Brome 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Fringed brome is a good source of forage on western forest ranges.  In
Montana and Wyoming, fringed brome is browsed by livestock and is
considered one of the best range grasses in Wyoming [10,40].  In Arizona
and New Mexico, fringed brome is an important forage species for
livestock, deer, and elk throughout the summer [31,38].  Seeds are eaten
by small mammals, turkeys and other birds [25,38].  The aspen/fringed
brome habitat type of central Colorado is ideal for pocket gophers [48].



PALATABILITY : 
Fringed brome is highly palatable to deer, elk, and all classes of
livestock [10,31,59].  


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Energy rating is fair and protein content is poor for fringed brome
[10].  


COVER VALUE : 
The white fir-Arizona walnut habitat type of Arizona and New Mexico, in
which fringed brome occurs, provides excellent cover for rodents,
turkeys, and quail.  The Douglas-fir/fringed brome habitat type provides
nesting cover for band-tailed pigeons [20].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Erosion control and short-term revegetation potential are rated medium,
and long-term revegetation potential is rated high for fringed brome
[10].  


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
The effects of clearcutting on wildlife habitat were studied in a moist
subalpine forest in central Colorado.  Fringed brome cover increased 1
year after harvest, and then fluctuated in postharvest years 2 to 5.
Percent understory cover of fringed brome before and after clearcutting
were [15]:

       before logging            years after logging (1978-1982)
          (1976)                     1    2    3    4    5

           2.9                      3.3  1.0  1.6  2.5  1.5

Fringed brome is highly palatable, so it is often grazed too closely.
Humphrey [31] recommended that about 33 percent of the seedstalks be
left ungrazed each year and a grazing deferment every third year be
instituted for continuous availability of fringed brome.  

Related categories for Species: Bromus ciliatus | Fringed Brome