VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Scirpus americanus | Olney Threesquare 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Olney threesquare rhizomes are a preferred food of muskrat, and Canada
and snow goose [15,20,28].  It is sometimes an important nutria food
source.  Olney threesquare stands serve as primary wintering grounds for
the snow goose, where this plant makes up about 90 percent of the
goose's diet.  Where geese or muskrat populations are high, use by these
animals can be so great that they cause "eat outs"; that is, they
destroy large areas of Olney threesquare vegetation by consuming all the
rootstocks and rhizomes [28].

The seeds are eaten by wintering ducks in the South but generally make
up only a small part of the diet [28].

Deer regularly feed on species of Scirpus.  In terms of volume consumed,
Olney threesquare ranked second among 50 plant species fed to captive
deer in Louisiana [28].


PALATABILITY : 
Olney threesquare rhizomes are highly palatable to the muskrat, nutria,
Canada goose, and snow goose [28].  In the South, Olney threesquare is
moderately palatable to cattle.  Tender, young shoots are most
attractive [28].

Palatability was rated as follows in Utah:  poor for sheep, horses, elk,
mule deer, and pronghorn; fair for cattle, upland game birds, and small
nongame birds; and good for waterfowl and small mammals [7].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
Olney threesquare regularly provides good nesting habitat for many
species of rails [28].  In Utah, cover value has been rated as fair for
upland game birds and good for waterfowl, small nongame birds, and small
mammals [7].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Olney threesquare is used in saltmarsh revegetation programs.  The best
place to initiate new stands is probably in brackish areas where
salinities range from 5 to 10 parts per thousand and water depths range
from 0 to 4 inches (0-10 cm) [11].  Stands are best established by
planting rootstocks 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) below the soil surface in
winter at a spacing of about 6 by 6 feet (1.8 by 1.8 m).  Water depths
need to be maintained at 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) above the soil surface
for 3 to 4 weeks after planting but can fluctuate thereafter.  Muskrat
and nutria need to be controlled on planted areas because they can
severely reduce planting stock.  For a detailed discussion on site
preparation and planting techniques see Sipple [28] and Ross and
Chabreck [23].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Management and maintenance of Olney threesquare stands depends primarily
on maintenance of water levels and secondarily on salinity levels.
Maximum survival and growth in coastal areas occur where average minimum
yearly water levels do not fall below 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) above the
soil surface [23].

Olney threesquare increases under light to moderate cattle grazing.
Under heavy grazing, however, it is replaced by less palatable species
such as seashore saltgrass, black rush (Juncus roemerianus), and
seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) [4,28].

Related categories for Species: Scirpus americanus | Olney Threesquare