VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula | Mountain Silver Sagebrush 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 



IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Riparian zones dominated by mountain silver sagebrush are unique
habitats that contribute diversity and increase edge in nonforested
communities throughout the Rocky Mountains.  Most sites are inaccessible
in the winter months due to snow cover; however, during the rest of the
year these areas are utilized by a variety of wildlife species.  In
Oregon they provide fair cover and forage near water during much of the
mule deer fawn-rearing season [9].  They are important foraging areas
for mule deer, pronghorn, and sage grouse due to the lush growth of
native forbs and grasses produced by high water in spring.


PALATABILITY : 
The relative palatability of mountain silver sagebrush is not widely
documented.  In the Rocky Mountains stands are inaccessible during the
winter [3], and apparently summer use is also low.  Winward [39] reports
limited fall browsing of flowerstalks in Oregon.

The relish and degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife species for
mountain silver sagebrush in several western states is rated as follows
[10]:
                     CO        MT        UT        WY  
Cattle              Fair      Fair      Poor      Fair        
Sheep               Fair      Good      Fair      Good       
Horses              Poor      Fair      Poor      Fair      
Pronghorn           ----      ----      Poor      ----
Elk                 ----      ----      Fair      ---- 
Mule deer           ----      ----      Fair      ---- 
Small mammals       ----      ----      Fair      ---- 
Small nongame birds ----      ----      Fair      Fair 
Upland game birds   ----      ----      Good      ---- 
Waterfowl           ----      ----      Poor      ---- 


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
As a whole, the silver sagebrush complex is rated as fair in energy
value and fair to good in protein value [10].


COVER VALUE : 
Mountain silver sagebrush plants can provide hiding cover due to such
structural attributes as free branching, layering, and root sprouting.
The moderate height of the shrubs makes them acceptable hiding cover for
mule deer.  On most sites, however, densities and canopy cover are not
sufficient to provide good thermal cover.  Swans, geese, rabbits, and
coyotes utilize stands as cover [9].

The degree to which mountain silver sagebrush provides environmental
protection during one or more seasons for wildlife species in Utah is as
follows [10]:

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



VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Due to its rhizomatous nature and ability to tolerate seasonally
saturated soils, mountain silver sagebrush appears to be a good
candidate for revegetating harsh sites within the Intermountain region.
It grows well on clay spoils and coal mine wastes and has been used
successfully for mined land reclamation [22].  Seed stored up to 4 years
remains viable [2].

Silver sagebrush subspecies occurring in the Intermountain region are
generally adapted for planting on sites having poorly drained, heavy
soils [20].  Monsen [23] recommends that silver sagebrush be used for
riparian plantings in mountain brush and sagebrush/desert communities.
Plants can be propagated via stem or root cuttings and also by wildings
[11,15].  Transplant material should consist of rooted cuttings, 1-0
nursery stock, or hardened-off, containerized stock.


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
In the Pacific Northwest, waterholes are sometimes developed in snow
catchment basins dominated by mountain silver sagebrush [9].  Drainage
ditches are dug across the basin floor to rapidly concentrate
spring-runoff from wide, shallow naturally occurring ponds into deeper
reservoirs where the water does not evaporate as readily.  Consequently,
a reliable water source is maintained further into the livestock grazing
season.  In smaller basins the drainage is so greatly improved that big
sagebrush and rabbitbrush are able to invade and replace stands of
silver sagebrush.  Another method of creating additional water sources
without sacrificing the unique qualities of silver sagebrush communities
involves the installation of "guzzlers" (catchment aprons with storage
tanks) in adjacent community types.

Silver sagebrush has been used as an ornamental in England.  In America,
this species has been used historically as fuelwood by both Indians and
white settlers [21].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
On many mountain silver sagebrush sites, competition between deer and
livestock for the associated herbaceous species is potentially high.
Grazing should be managed to protect plant vigor and also to protect the
riparian nature of these areas.

Related categories for Species: Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula | Mountain Silver Sagebrush