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Wildlife, Animals, and Plants
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Introductory
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. cana | Plains Silver Sagebrush
ABBREVIATION :
ARTCANC
SYNONYMS :
NO-ENTRY
SCS PLANT CODE :
NO-ENTRY
COMMON NAMES :
plains silver sagebrush
silver sagebrush
hoary sagebrush
hoary silver sagebrush
TAXONOMY :
The fully documented scientific name of plains silver sagebrush is
Artemisia cana Pursh. ssp. cana. The taxonomy presented here follows
that of Beetle [1], who differentiated three subspecies of silver
sagebrush based upon morphological, geographical, and ecological
characteristics.
Silver sagebrush occurs in both diploid and tetraploid forms [21].
Unlike the other two subspecies of silver sagebrush (A. cana ssp.
viscidula and A. cana ssp. bolanderi) which exhibit wide variability,
plains silver sagebrush is morphologically quite uniform. Hybridization
occurs between plains silver sagebrush and mountain big sagebrush (A.
tridentata ssp. vaseyana). Hybrids apparently retain the ability to
resprout [15,29].
LIFE FORM :
Shrub
FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS :
NO-ENTRY
OTHER STATUS :
NO-ENTRY
COMPILED BY AND DATE :
N. McMurray, September 1986
LAST REVISED BY AND DATE :
N. McMurray, September 1988
AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION :
McMurray, Nancy E. 1986. Artemisia cana ssp. cana. In: Remainder of Citation
DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. cana | Plains Silver Sagebrush
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION :
Plains silver sagebrush is the only woody Artemisia besides Wyoming big
sagebrush that occurs on the Great Plains. Except for an isolated
segment along the Yampa River Valley in Colorado, this silver sagebrush
occurs east of the Continental Divide. Compared with the other
subspecies, it has a more northern and eastern distribution. It occurs
in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan and ranges south through Montana,
Wyoming, and northern Colorado into central North and South Dakota and
northwestern Nebraska [1,15]. Several isolated populations have also
been reported in the eastern Dakotas [8].
ECOSYSTEMS :
FRES21 Ponderosa pine
FRES29 Sagebrush
FRES38 Plains grasslands
FRES39 Prairie
STATES :
CO MT NE ND SD WY AB SK
ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS :
BADL BICA DETO FOBU THRO WICA
YELL
BLM PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS :
8 Northern Rocky Mountains
9 Middle Rocky Mountains
10 Wyoming Basin
11 Southern Rocky Mountains
13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont
14 Great Plains
15 Black Hills Uplift
16 Upper Missouri Basin and Broken Lands
KUCHLER PLANT ASSOCIATIONS :
K011 Western ponderosa forest
K016 Eastern ponderosa forest
K017 Black Hills pine forest
K056 Wheatgrass - needlegrass - wheatgrass
K064 Grama - needlegrass - wheatgrass
K065 Grama - buffalograss
K066 Wheatgrass - needlegrass
K067 Wheatgrass - bluestem - needlegrass
K070 Sandsage - bluestem prairie
Disturbed areas
SAF COVER TYPES :
237 Interior ponderosa pine
SRM (RANGELAND) COVER TYPES :
NO-ENTRY
HABITAT TYPES AND PLANT COMMUNITIES :
Mature stands of plains silver sagebrush indicate climax condition. A
recent habitat type classification for Theodore Roosevelt National Park
in North Dakota and the Custer National Forest in Montana and the
Dakotas describes a plains silver sagebrush/western wheatgrass
(Pascopyrum smithii) shrubland habitat type [13,14]. A silver
sagebrush/ Idaho fescue (Artemisia cana/Festuca idahoensis) community
type is described for Yellowstone National Park, but although these
sites occur east of the Continental Divide in Wyoming, it is unclear
whether plants belong to the plains or mountain form of this species.
Publications that classify plains silver sagebrush as a dominant or
indicator species are listed below:
The vegetation of the Grand River/Cedar River, Sioux, and Ashland
Districts of the Custer National Forest: a habitat type classification [13]
The vegetation of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota: a
habitat type classification [14]
VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. cana | Plains Silver Sagebrush
WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE :
NO-ENTRY
IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE :
Typically growing in basins and along drainageways, plains silver
sagebrush stands offer structural diversity and increase the amount of
edge on the mixed-grass prairies of the Northern Great Plains. This
shrub is an important big game winter browse throughout its range and is
heavily used when other food is scarce [2]. Livestock utilization of
plains silver sagebrush communities is primarily confined to associated
herbaceous understory species. This subspecies generally increases in
response to grazing [25,36] and dense stands can form where depleted
understories coincide with concentrated animal use. On these sites,
control measures which decrease shrub competition can effectively
increase desirable forage [38,39].
PALATABILITY :
Although palatability varies according to site and associated species,
plains silver sagebrush is generally an important winter browse for both
livestock and big game on the Northern Great Plains. Although not as
palatable as Wyoming big sagebrush, plains silver sagebrush is readily
eaten by elk and mule deer during the winter. It is also an important
pronghorn survival food. Plants are heavily utilized by domestic sheep
in some localities [3,22]. Use by cottontails and voles has been
observed in Montana [36].
The degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife species for plains
silver sagebrush in several western states is rated as follows [9]:
CO MT ND UT WY
Cattle Fair Fair Fair ---- Fair
Sheep Fair Good Good ---- Good
Horses Poor Fair Fair ---- Fair
Pronghorn ---- ---- Poor Poor Poor
Elk ---- Fair ---- ---- Fair
Mule deer Fair Good Fair ---- Good
White-tailed deer ---- Poor Poor ---- Poor
Small mammals Fair Fair Poor ---- Good
Small nongame birds ---- Fair Fair ---- Good
Upland game birds Good Fair Fair ---- Good
Waterfowl ---- ---- Poor ---- Poor
NUTRITIONAL VALUE :
Plains silver sagebrush has been rated fair in energy value and fair to
good in protein value [9].
COVER VALUE :
Plains silver sagebrush provides cover for a wide variety of birds and
animals, especially in open grasslands where cover is lacking. It has
great potential for use in upland game bird cover plantings due to its
resprouting ability and also the relative ease with which transplanted
seedlings can be established [28].
The degree to which plains silver sagebrush provides environmental
protection during one or more seasons for wildlife species is as follows
[9]:
CO MT ND WY
Pronghorn ---- Fair Fair Good
Elk ---- ---- ---- Poor
Mule deer ---- Fair Fair Fair
White-tailed deer ---- Poor Fair Poor
Small mammals Good Good Fair Good
Small nongame birds Good Good Fair Good
Upland game birds Good Fair Fair Good
Waterfowl ---- Good Fair Fair
VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES :
Plains silver sagebrush is well-suited for establishment on sites where
management objectives include erosion control, water (snow) retention,
enhancement of wildlife cover, or increases in forage production [15,36].
Unlike the other two subspecies which are adapted to poorly drained,
heavy soils, plains silver sagebrush is adapted to riparian sites on the
Great Plains which are characterized by well-drained, coarse-textured
profiles.
Plains silver sagebrush seedlings have been successfully established in
field trials [15,22]. Harvey [15] suggests that seed collections be made
in October. He estimates that approximately 190 seeds per decimeter of
inflorescence can usually be obtained. Stratification is not necessary.
Resulting densities of 1 plant per 1 square meter can be achieved by
sowing seeds at the rate of about 14 kg/ha. These methods should
eventually result in approximately five plants per square meter at the
end of 1 year. Secondary dispersion occurs approximately 4 years after
initial establishment. Initiation of vegetative reproduction requires a
somewhat longer time period.
Wildings of this species can also be successfully established in many
areas. Transplants should be planted before April to ensure that root
establishment occurs prior to initiation of shoot growth [15].
Propagation from hardwood cuttings is another option with plains silver
sagebrush. Harvey [15] experienced 87 percent rooting success when he
used 6-inch (12.2 cm) cuttings which had the bottom 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
stripped of leaves. He then dipped cuttings in "Rootone" and placed
them in a misting propagation bench with a growth medium consisting of
50 percent sand, 25 percent vermiculite, 15 percent peat, and 10 percent
perlite.
Plains silver sagebrush has been established on coal spoils in Montana.
It rated second out of four Artemisia species in establishment success
[15]. Seedling development, however, was much poorer on coal spoils than
on adjacent sites having naturally occurring topsoil. Apparently the
absence of nutrients, nodule-forming bacteria, and/or mycorrhizal fungi
were responsible for such results.
OTHER USES AND VALUES :
Silver sagebrushes have been used as ornamentals in England. In America
this shrub has been used historically as fuelwood by both Native
Americans and white settlers [21].
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS :
Due to its forage value and the infrequent occurrence of extensive
stands, plains silver sagebrush is not usually a candidate for plant
control measures. Since this subspecies sprouts vigorously following
disturbance, no action should be taken in areas where existing densities
are acceptable [3].
Stand densities on important winter ranges can be manipulated by a
variety of methods. Vigorous resprouting can be induced through
mechanical treatment or prescribed burning. Results of recent studies
indicate that prescribed burning can create a wide range of plant
densities [39]. Generally, spring burning under high soil moisture
conditions tends to enhance plains silver sagebrush, while fall burning
under dry moisture conditions tends to decrease coverages. (For further
details see fire effects information for this species.)
Shrub removal is often necessary in dense stands where understory
species have been depleted. In studies comparing various methods of
control (mechanical, chemical, and fire), fall burning produced the
greatest overall mortality with approximately 71 percent of plants dying
[38]. Mechanical cutting was most effective (67 percent mortality) when
conducted in late May or early June on plants less than 1 cubic meter in
size. Chemical application of tebuthiuron or picloram was effective at
rates of 0.9 to 1.3 kg ai/ha. Herbaceous plants were killed at higher
rates; lower rates had little effect on shrubs.
BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. cana | Plains Silver Sagebrush
GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS :
Plains silver sagebrush is an erect, freely branching, native,
long-lived, aromatic, deciduous, rounded, canescent shrub usually
growing 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) in height. As its name implies,
silver sagebrush appears white in color when compared with other
Artemisia species. Older branches have dark-brown fibrous bark; younger
branches are covered with a dense white to yellowish-green tomentum.
Unlike the other two subspecies which exhibit wide variations in leaf
morphology, leaves of the plains subspecies are generally entire and
densely, silky canescent [1,22]. Allelopathy has been documented in
this subspecies [15].
RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM :
Phanerophyte
Geophyte
REGENERATION PROCESSES :
Throughout its range, plains silver sagebrush regenerates both sexually
and vegetatively. As a species the silver sagebrushes are distinguished
within the Artemisia genus for resprouting following disturbance.
Vegetative regeneration is apparently the primary mode of reproduction.
In fact, Harvey [15] found seed-derived plants only on severely
disturbed sites, and even these plants were mixed with sprouts
originating from undamaged roots.
Plants are capable of spreading extensively through layering, rhizomes,
and root sprouting (roots producing adventitious sprouts) [1,26].
Layering occurs almost exclusively in habitats subjected to periodic
flooding where vegetative branches become covered with silt. Root
sprouting also occurs on these sites and is a commonly employed strategy
elsewhere. Harvey [15] excavated plains silver sagebrush plants in
Montana and observed the tap root of one plant extending hortizontally
for 29.5 feet (9 m) before turning downward into the B and C horizons.
This root remained within 2 inches (5 cm) of the soil surface and had 14
sprouts arising from it. All of these sprouts had grown adventitious
roots and were apparently self-supporting. Plains silver sagebrush
universally exhibits some degree of rhizomatous growth, even at the
seedling stage [36].
Plains silver sagebrush produces numerous achenes in October or
November. In most cases the majority are dispersed close to or under
the parent plant canopy. However Walton and others [37] report an
instance of seeds being evenly dispersed up to 9.8 feet (3 m) from the
parent plant, but beyond this point seed dispersal dropped sharply.
Seeds of this species possess a mucilaginous seed coat indicating that
animals may act as dispersal agents. Upon contact with water, the seed
coat becomes gelatinous which enables the seed to adhere to soil
particles.
While seed production is prolific (54,000 seeds per plant), very few
seeds germinate and survive beyond the 1st year. Soil moisture is the
primary controlling factor in successful seedling establishment.
Consequently, favorable years for successful establishment are often
erratic. In Montana only 1.2 percent of field-planted seeds germinated
and of the emerged seedlings, only 11 percent became established. Seeds
of silver sagebrush are nondormant and do not require stratification for
successful germination. Harvey reported an optimum germination
temperature of 57 degrees F (14 degrees C), although a temperature of 64
degrees F (20 degrees C) was determined as optimal when the effects of
light and osmotic pressure were also considered [36]. Seed maturity
appears to influence seed germination, with late season seed collections
having a higher germination rate.
Seedling emergence is influenced by the depth at which seeds are buried.
Previously soil depths of 0.08 inch (2 mm) were considered optimal for
silver sagebrush. Data from field studies in Montana indicate that more
seedlings were produced from seeds planted under 0.2 inch (5 mm) of soil
than from trials at 0 and 0.6 inch (0 and 15 mm). However, overall
seedling survival was greatest in seeds planted at 0.6 inch (15 mm).
SITE CHARACTERISTICS :
Plains silver sagebrush is widely but sparsely distributed throughout
the northern Great Plains at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 feet
(1,200 to 2,100 m). Plants usually occur on deep loam to sandy soils of
the region [30]. This species is most commonly found scattered along
well-drained uplands; however, greater numbers and sometimes local
dominance occur on alluvial flats and terraces of valley bottoms and
basins [3].
Soils supporting plains silver sagebrush are characterized by a
well-drained profile. This relationship is so predominant that in most
cases the occurence of silver sagebrush serves as an indicator of
well-drained, coarse-textured soils [17]. Plant heights range from a
few inches (5 cm) on clay soils to approximately 2 feet (60 cm) on sandy
soils [7]. Upland sites usually have a sandy fraction; coarse, alluvial
deposits comprise bottomland sites. Many of the lowland sites are also
subjected to periodic flooding, erosion, and deposition. In fact,
plants grow preferentially on sites influenced by high water tables,
especially where roots can intersect the water table for at least part
of the growing season.
Sites dominated by plains silver sagebrush have lower levels of P, K, N,
organic matter, and cation exchange than adjacent big sagebrush soils
[16]. Harvey [15] observed plains silver sagebrush to be more deeply
rooted than Wyoming big sagebrush on sites where they occurred together.
Elevational ranges for some western states are presented below [9].
from 5,000 to 10,000 ft (1,524 to 3,059 m) in CO
2,500 to 5,500 ft (762 to 1,677 m) in MT
4,500 to 7,500 ft (1,372 to 2,287 m) in WY
SUCCESSIONAL STATUS :
Plains silver sagebrush is an significant ecological dominant over much
of the Missouri Plateau and peripheral areas east of the Continental
Divide. Mature stands are an indicator of climax conditions. Plants
are established during early seral stages and coexist with later
arriving species [37].
SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT :
Phenological development of plains silver sagebrush follows the general
pattern for most woody Artemisias. New growth begins in April or early
May, flowering takes place in September, and seeds ripen in October and
November [1]. Apparently temperature significantly influences the
timing of early events; middle and late stages are influenced by both
temperature and moisture [15]. Preliminary data on water relations in
plains silver sagebrush indicates that as plant moisture stress becomes
greater, plant phenology advances [40]. In eastern Montana aphid
infestations are often frequent and severe in this subspecies. Some
years entire stands have been essentially devoid of flowers.
Detailed data from Montana for sites below 5,900 feet (1,800 m) are
presented below [15]; similar results have been reported by White and
Currie [40]. In general, plants above this elevation initiated early
stages 2 to 3 weeks later; mid to late stages were initiated
approximately 2 weeks earlier.
Phenological Stage Month
apical bud enlargement April
apical twig elongation April to mid-May
lateral branch bud enlargement mid-May to late June
apical growth ceases (vegetative) June
lateral branch elongation June
lateral growth ceases (vegetative) late June to early July
floral branch elongation late June to mid-July
floral buds enlarging mid-July to mid-August
anther development (buds yellow) August
anthesis mid-August to mid-September
cypsella (fruit) development mid-September to mid-October
dissemination initiated mid-October
dissemination completed mid-October to mid-November
winter dormancy mid-November to April
FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. cana | Plains Silver Sagebrush
FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS :
Unlike the majority of woody Artemisias, the silver sagebrush complex is
moderately resistant to fire-caused mortality. Following fire, plains
silver sagebrush resprouts vigorously via root sprouts and rhizomes
[1,43], and preburn coverages are rapidly regained [42]. Research
results from Montana indicate that as burn intensity and severity
increase, plant mortality increases and regrowth decreases [39]. This
range in plant response suggests that fire can be an effective method of
managing plant densities.
POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY :
Small shrub, adventitious-bud root crown
Rhizomatous shrub, rhizome in soil
Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)
FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. cana | Plains Silver Sagebrush
IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT :
Burning causes complete top-kill of plains silver sagebrush regardless
of the degree to which aerial plant parts are consumed. The extent to
which plants survive burning, however, is directly related to fire
intensity. Totally consumed plants sustain higher mortalities than
those less thoroughly burned. This trend is further accentuated by
season of burning as it relates to fire severity and plant phenology.
More plants survive spring burns than fall burns [39,40].
DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT :
Silver sagebrush mortality is directly related to fire intensity, fire
severity, and season of burning. White and Currie [39] conducted spring
and fall burns under comparable site conditions on a mixed-grass prairie
in eastern Montana. Mortality differed significantly (p<.01) between the
two seasons. Fall burning produced the greatest overall mortality.
Over 75 percent of totally consumed plants died; another 40 percent of
less thoroughly burned plants also died. In comparison, only 33 percent
of totally burned plants died following spring burning; less than 10
percent of the rest were killed. These studies indicate that fall burns
are extremely effective at plant control on sites where diminished soil
moisture conditions result in higher severity fires. Mortality can be
further increased by increasing fire intensities; fuels can be
supplemented by deferring grazing prior to burning.
PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE :
Plains silver sagebrush reestablishes via root sprouting and rhizomes
following burning [1,42,43]. Plant size prior to burning has little
effect on subsequent survival or regrowth. Burn intensity tends to
retard rather than change the location of bud development. Preburn
levels are quickly restored following most spring burning. The majority
of plants survive and resprout vigorously due to the combined effects of
reduced fire severities and favorable moisture conditions. Fall burning
is usually associated with adverse growing conditions and higher fire
severity and results in significant decreases in plant numbers and has a
more lasting effect upon plant coverages [39].
DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE :
Most fire effects information on plains silver sagebrush indicates that
densities are rapidly regained and typically enhanced following burning
[6]. White and Currie [39] report that plains silver sagebrush exhibited
a differential growth response with reference to season of burning.
Following spring burning silver sagebrush plants produced relatively few
(3 to 4) sprouts per plant; stem elongation was rapid, however.
Severely burned plants reached heights of at least 8 inches (20 cm)
within 3 months of burning, while less severely burned plants grew to
over 12 inches (30 cm). Most plants were characterized by dense foliage
and a bushy growth form. In contrast, fall burning resulted in plants
which produced more sprouts per plant but which had little regrowth.
Lightly burned plants had an average of 10 sprouts per plant but failed
to reach 8 inches (20 cm) within 3 months of breaking dormancy. Plants
which were severely burned had only four sprouts per plant and averaged
less than 2.4 inches (6 cm).
These results suggest that burning can be used to achieve a range of
management objectives. On winter ranges where this subspecies is a
palatable forage, spring burning can be used to enhance plant coverages
and rejuvenate stands. Where plant control is deemed necessary, fall
burning can drastically reduce coverages. Apparently silver sagebrush
is under greater moisture stress as the season progresses, and this
stress is compounded in thick stands [40].
FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS :
NO-ENTRY
FIRE CASE STUDIES
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. cana | Plains Silver Sagebrush
CASE NAME :
Miles City, Montana 2
SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION :
fall/low intensity, moderate severity
STUDY LOCATION :
This prescribed burn was conducted in early October of 1979 on the
Livestock and Range Research Station near Miles City, Montana.
PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY :
Preburn vegetation typical of Northern Great Plains mixed-grass prairie.
Western wheatgrass (Pascopyron smithii) and blue grama (Bouteloua
gracilis) were the predominate grasses. Other associated species
included threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), needle-and-thread (Stipa
comata), green needlegrass (S. viridula), and annual brome grasses
(Bromus spp.). Plains silver sagebrush was abundant on the site.
TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE :
Growth and reproductive stages completed.
SITE DESCRIPTION :
NO-ENTRY
FIRE DESCRIPTION :
Prescribed burning using a backfire took place in early October. Summer
drought had substantially reduced soil moisture throughout the profile.
Fuels ranged from 300 kg/ha in blue grama vegetation to 1000 kg/ha in
western wheatgrass. Ambient air temperature was 70 degrees Fahrenheit
(21 deg C) and wind speed was less than 5 miles per hour (8 km/hr).
FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES :
Plains silver sagebrush sustained high mortality following fall burning.
Plants are apparently under more moisture stress as the season
progresses and soils dry out. Both plant survival and subsequent
regrowth are significantly affected. Seventy-five percent of the plants
that were totally consumed died; mortalities reached almost 40 percent
in less severly burned plants. Regrowth of individual plants was
significantly impaired. Although survivors produced numerous sprouts
per plant, plant heights and coverages were markedly reduced.
Mean growth characteristics for surviving plants are summarized below:
Fire intensity # sprouts height (mm) canopy index (mm)
________________________________________________________________________
Foliage consumed 10.3 188 341
Twigs and foliage consumed 13.3 188 279
Completely burned 4.2 56 96
Canopy index = Adding linear intercept values of major and minor aces of
assumed elliptical-shaped regrowth.
FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS :
Under dry, fall burning conditions, numbers and coverages of plains
silver sagebrush can be drastically reduced. Most plants cannot survive
high severity fires under these conditions; plants which do survive are
able to sustain only a limited amount of regrowth. Fall burning
represents an effective means of reducing plains silver sagebrush.
FIRE CASE STUDIES
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. cana | Plains Silver Sagebrush
CASE NAME :
Miles City, Montana 1
SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION :
spring/ low intensity, low severity
STUDY LOCATION :
This prescribed burn was conducted in mid-April 1977 on the Livestock
and Range Research Station near Miles City, Montana.
PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY :
Preburn vegetation typical of Northern Great Plains mixed-grass prairie.
Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) and blue grama (Bouteloua
gracilis) were the predominate grasses. Other associated species
included threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), needle-and-thread (Stipa
comata), green needlegrass (Stipa viridula), and annual brome grasses
(Bromus spp.). Plains silver sagebrush was abundant on the site.
TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE :
Winter dormancy broken; plants just becoming physiologically active.
SITE DESCRIPTION :
NO-ENTRY
FIRE DESCRIPTION :
Prescribed burning using a headfire took place shortly after spring runoff in
mid-April. The soil moisture content was at field capacity. Fuels ranged
from 300 kg/ha in blue grama vegetation to 1000 kg/ha in western wheatgrass.
The following climatic conditions were reported:
Ambient air temperature: 70 degrees F (21 degrees C)
Wind speed: < 5 mph (8 km/hr)
FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES :
Although all plains silver sagebrush plants were top-killed, most survived
and resprouted. Highest mortality, 33 percent, occurred in those plants
where aerial portions were totally consumed. Less than 10 percent of the
plants having only the foliage consumed or only the foliage and twigs
consumed died.
Generally, spring burning resulted in a low severity fire. Apparently the high
moisture content of the soil and the phenological stage of plants at the time
of burning increased recovery ability; plants grew vigorously following
resprouting. Although individual plants produced low numbers of sprouts, stem
elongation was relatively rapid. Completely burned plants had grown to 8
inches (20 cm) within 3 months; less severely burned plants reached over 12
inches (30 cm). Sprouts typically assumed a bushy growth form with dense
foliage.
Mean growth characteristics for surviving plants are summarized below:
Canopy
Fire intensity # sprouts Height(mm) index (mm)
Foliage consumed 4.5 322 394
Twigs & foliage consumed 3.8 305 424
Completely burned 3.3 216 358
Canopy index = Adding linear intercept values of major and minor axes of
assumed elliptical-shaped regrowth.
FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS :
Plains silver sagebrush can be enhanced under moist, spring burning
conditions. Under these conditions most plants can survive relatively high
fire intensities. Plants readily resprout and grow vigorously. Preburn
coverages and heights are rapidly regained.
In areas where plains silver sagebrush is a highly palatable range species,
prescribed spring burns can be used to maintain and even enhance plant
coverages with little loss of potential sagebrush forage.
REFERENCES
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. cana | Plains Silver Sagebrush
REFERENCES :
1. Beetle, A. A. 1960. A study of sagebrush: The section Tridentatae of
Artemisia. Bulletin 368. Laramie, WY: University of Wyoming,
Agricultural Experiment Station. 83 p. [416]
2. Beetle, Alan A. 1977. Recognition of Artemisia subspecies--a necessity.
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Wyoming shrub ecology workshop; 1977 May 24-25; Buffalo, WY. Laramie,
WY: Shrub Ecology Workshop: 35-42. [419]
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U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 169 p.
[434]
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Index
Related categories for Species: Artemisia cana ssp. cana
| Plains Silver Sagebrush
|
 |
