VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Artemisia arbuscula ssp. thermopola | Hotsprings Sagebrush 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Comparatively little is known about the importance of hotsprings
sagebrush to livestock and wildlife.  Low sagebrush (Artemisia
arbulsula) is considered a valuable browse plant at some locations
during the spring, fall, and winter months [16].  Mule deer, pronghorn,
bighorn sheep, and sage grouse all utilize the closely related gray low
sagebrush [5,24].  Domestic sheep and, to a much lesser degree, cattle
consume gray low sagebrush, particularly during the spring, fall, and
winter [8,24].  Gray low sagebrush provides little winter forage in many
parts of its range because of extreme snow depths [3].  Hotsprings
sagebrush occurs on higher and colder sites than gray low sagebrush, and
winter utilization of this species may be even more limited.



PALATABILITY : 
The palatability of hotsprings sagebrush to livestock and wildlife is
rated low to moderate [3].  It provides some winter forage, but is
largely ignored during the summer months [3].  


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Energy and protein values of low sagebrush are rated fair [10].  Crude
protein, fat, and fiber contents of hotsprings sagebrush leaves and
stems are 6.40 percent, 4.40 percent, and 34.54 percent, respectively [2]. 


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Removing hotsprings sagebrush to increase herbage production on some
sites has been recommended [15].  Best results have been obtained on
sites with at least remnant bunchgrass populations [30].  However, other
researchers recommend against treating low sagebrush communities, citing
minimal improvement or even further deterioration [2].

Related categories for Species: Artemisia arbuscula ssp. thermopola | Hotsprings Sagebrush