VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Leymus innovatus | Boreal Wildrye 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
On ranges where it is a dominant species, boreal wildrye may be grazed
extensively by Stone sheep, elk, and bison [5,25].  Overall, it is rated
as poor to fair forage for wildlife and livestock [9].  Boreal wildrye
was found to be an important part of the diet of feral horses in
Alberta, presumably due to its abundance rather than its palatability.
It was especially important during the winter when other species were
not available [28].  Morgantini and Hudson [18] reported that elk
consumption of boreal wildrye in Alberta rose from 1 percent to 15 to 18
percent during hunting season, as use of the surrounding aspen (Populus
tremuloides) forest increased.


PALATABILITY : 
Studies analyzing the percent composition of boreal wildrye in the diets
of elk and bison indicate that it is not a very palatable species.  One
report found that, although boreal wildrye was a major component of the
vegetation and occurred at 33.3 to 81.8 percent frequency in the diet,
it made up only 0.2 to 1.1 percent composition of the diet in bison [5].
Similarly, another study found that while grass made up 70.6 percent of
elk diet on intermediate season ranges, boreal wildrye accounted for
only 3.6 to 7.8 percent composition in the diet [19].  In both cases,
boreal wildrye was abundant on the ranges.  It was eaten frequently but
only in small amounts.


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
The nutritive value of boreal wildrye is rated as moderate to low.
Percent digestible protein ranged from 0.5 in the weathered stage to 5.8
in the leaf stage.  On a nutritive value index with clipped, dried
alfalfa (Medicago sativa) receiving a score of 100, boreal wildrye had a
mean score of 39.5.  Other grasses in the study rated mean scores from
16.3 to 58.3 [3].


COVER VALUE : 
On ranges where it forms continuous stands, boreal wildrye may provide
cover for some birds and small mammals.


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Boreal wildrye was a frequent species on several abandoned coal mine
sites in Canada, indicating that it may have good potential for
revegetation at high elevations [24].  Rhizomatous wildrye grasses are
good soil binders [12].  It can provide erosion control without
inhibiting the growth of other forbs and shrubs [8].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Boreal wildrye is rare in Glacier National Park but apparently is not
currently threatened [27].  At its periphery, a species may be valuable
as an indicator of habitat changes, such as climatic shifts.  For
example, if global warming were to take place, a boreal species may
retreat north.

Related categories for Species: Leymus innovatus | Boreal Wildrye