VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Calamagrostis montanensis | Plains Reedgrass 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Plains reedgrass provides forage for sheep, cattle, and horses [24].  It
is also consumed by deer, elk, and small mammals [9,25].


PALATABILITY : 
Plains reedgrass coarse leaves are considered less palatable than most
prairie species it occurs with [2].  The relish and degree of use shown
by livestock and wildlife species for plains reedgrass in several
western states is rated as follows [9,25]:

            CO       MT       ND       WY

Cattle     Fair     Fair     ----     Fair
Sheep      Fair     Fair     Fair     Fair
Horses     Fair     Fair     Fair     Fair
Elk        ----   Fair-Good  ----     ----
Deer       ----   Poor-Fair  ----     ----


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Plains reedgrass has been rated as fair in energy value and poor in
protein value [9].


COVER VALUE : 
The degree to which plains reedgrass provides environmental protection
during one or more seasons for wildlife species is rated as follows [9]:

                         MT       ND       WY

Pronghorn               ----     Poor     Poor   
Elk                     ----     ----     Poor
Mule deer               ----     Good     Poor   
White-tailed deer       ----     Good     Poor   
Small mammals           ----     ----     Fair
Small nongame birds     Fair     ----     ----   
Upland game birds       Fair     ----     ----   
Waterfowl               Poor     ----     ----   


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Because plains reedgrass is rhizomatous and exhibits aggressive growth
after disturbance, it can be used for erosion control.  It also has
potential for long-term revegetation of disturbed sites [9].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Grazing:  Plains reedgrass increases in response to grazing [4,7].  When
comparing grazed and ungrazed sites of a mixed-grass community, Brand
and Goetz [4] found that the average herbage production of plains
reedgrass on grazed rangeland was 41 times greater than on ungrazed
lands.

Herbicides:  Plains reedgrass increased in range areas after spraying
with 2,4-D [6].

Related categories for Species: Calamagrostis montanensis | Plains Reedgrass