VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Artemisia longiloba | Alkali Sagebrush 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Early sagebrush is not generally considered to be an important browse
species.  Its browse value is listed as "intermediate" [1].


PALATABILITY : 
Tweit and Houston [21] noted that early sagebrush may be slightly to
moderately browsed.  In some areas, mountain and pronghorn browse it
heavily; it also provides food for small animals [21].  Dealy and others
[6] reported that it is not grazed in Nevada and is seldom eaten by sage
grouse.


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Early sagebrush has a more rapid seasonal drop in percent of crude
protein than other, later blooming sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) taxa [6].


COVER VALUE : 
Some early sagebrush stands in good condition can provide cover for sage
grouse, pronghorn, and other wildlife, as well as livestock [15].
Typically, however, plant density is too low to offer much cover except
for small animals [6].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Early sagebrush may be useful in rehabilitating basic mine spoils
produced from oil shale works [14].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Early sagebrush ranges are used for lambing grounds [14].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
The shallow, claypan soils in early sagebrush stands restrict drainage
and root growth, resulting in low productivity and limited use.  Severe
trampling damage to supersaturated soils could occur if sites are used
in early spring when there is abundant snowmelt.  Therefore, heavy
spring grazing should be avoided [3].  Also during early spring, frost
heaving, due to the saturated conditions, may adversely affect seedling
establishment [21].

Early sagebrush has an earlier phenology than most other sagebrush
species, and this could affect effectiveness of herbicidal control where
it is mixed with other species of sagebrush [11].

Early sagebrush sites which support an understory of bluebunch
wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), Idaho fescue, or Thurber
needlegrass have shown increased productivity when treated with 2-4-D.
On sites in fair condition, these climax dominant perennial grasses
showed increased yields 2 years following treatment.  There was a rapid
increase of Sandberg bluegrass 1 year after treatment.  With this
control program, a grazing system allowing for seed production,
trampling to plant seed, and a nonuse period should be followed to
increase establishment of new plants in the interspaces.  Spring grazing
capacity was also increased by brush control; therefore, treated areas
could withstand more livestock use earlier in spring than untreated
sites [7].  Eckert and Evans [7] noted that sites in poor condition
probably should not be treated for brush control unless use of annuals
could be controlled.

Spraying should be completed in early spring before vegetative growth is
completed.  Early season spraying also causes less damage to broadleaf
herbs in the understory.  Spraying was found to be no more detrimental
to broadleaf herbs than chaining, disking, or burning [16].

Chaining and disking have proved effective in reducing shrub density and
improving vigor of understory species.  The physical alteration of soil
by these methods reduces shrub seedling establishment more than burning
or spraying does.

Disking is the most frequently used method and generally results in high
mortality of shrubs and understory herbs. Herb recovery requires a
longer period than with other treatments.  If a significant reduction in
shrub density is desired to accomodate seeding, this method is
acceptable [16].

Simply protecting an area from livestock grazing without additional
treatment may be beneficial, but shrub density would change too slowly
for practical management purposes [16].

Related categories for Species: Artemisia longiloba | Alkali Sagebrush