1Up Info - A Portal with a Difference

1Up Travel - A Travel Portal with a Difference.    
1Up Info
   

Earth & EnvironmentHistoryLiterature & ArtsHealth & MedicinePeoplePlacesPlants & Animals  • Philosophy & Religion  • Science & TechnologySocial Science & LawSports & Everyday Life Wildlife, Animals, & PlantsCountry Study Encyclopedia A -Z
North America Gazetteer


You are here >1Up Info > Wildlife, Animals, and Plants > Plant Species > Shrub > Species: Artemisia nova | Black Sagebrush
 

Wildlife, Animals, and Plants

 


Wildlife, Animals, and Plants

 

Wildlife Species

  Amphibians

  Birds

  Mammals

  Reptiles

 

Kuchler

 

Plants

  Bryophyte

  Cactus

  Fern or Fern Ally

  Forb

  Graminoid

  Lichen

  Shrub

  Tree

  Vine


VALUE AND USE

SPECIES: Artemisia nova | Black Sagebrush
WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : NO-ENTRY IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : Black sagebrush is a significant browse species within the Intermountain region. It is especially important on low elevation winter ranges in the southern Great Basin where extended snowfree periods allow animals access to plants throughout most of the winter [32]. In these areas it is heavily utilized by pronghorn and mule deer [3,19,39] and is highly preferred by domestic sheep [18]. Stands are often contiguous with salt desert communities in the southern Great Basin. Relative to the surrounding vegetation, good condition winter ranges are productive and also offer a good selection of associated species. Many of these ranges have been seriously depleted by past overgrazing. Black sagebrush may be lethal to sheep if it comprises the bulk of the diet for even a short time. This situation is most likely to occur when animals are concentrated on winter ranges [33]. On spring and transitional ranges, this sagebrush is thought to cause abortion in sheep. Recent studies have shown black sagebrush to be a preconditioning plant responsible for horsebrush-related photosensitization in sheep [33]. Apparently small amounts of black sagebrush, when consumed in combination with horsebrush species (Tetradymia canescens and particularly Tetradymia glabrata), can cause liver damage. As a result, photosensitizing compounds are able to reach the skin where they absorb large amounts of ultraviolet light. Acute cases can result in severe facial swelling (a condition known as "bighead"), blindness, wool sluffing, abortion, and death [34]. PALATABILITY : Black sagebrush is a highly palatable forage throughout much of the Great Basin. Plants are heavily utilized by sheep and big game on winter ranges in Utah. The lighter gray-green form is usually more heavily browsed [17]. Some accessions are more highly preferred by mule deer than others, often with dramatic contrasts in utilization [8,58]. Recent uniform garden studies indicate differences in mule deer preference for black sagebrush accessions are not related to monoterpenoid content [9]. One particular accession located on the Desert Experimental Range near Pine Valley, Utah is highly preferred by domestic sheep, pronghorn, and mule deer [8,19], and this accession is presently being tested for cultivar release [9]. Numerous studies have cited highly variable results when comparing animal preference for black sagebrush and big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp.) [44,47,49,51,58]. McArthur and Stevens [41] suggest that infraspecific as well as interspecific variations probably account for such inconsistencies. The relish and degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife species for black sagebrush in several western states is rated as follows [25,62]: CO MT OR UT WY Cattle ---- ---- ---- Fair Fair Sheep ---- ---- Fair Good Good Horses ---- ---- ---- Poor Fair Antelope ---- Poor Good Good Good Elk ---- ---- ---- Good Fair Mule deer ---- Poor Poor Good Good White-tailed deer Poor ---- ---- ---- ---- Small mammals ---- ---- ---- Fair Fair Small nongame birds ---- ---- ---- Fair Fair Upland game birds ---- Fair ---- Good Good Waterfowl ---- ---- ---- Poor Poor NUTRITIONAL VALUE : Black sagebrush is a highly nutritious winter forage. Although not as productive as many other forage species, its winter nutritive quality is second only to big sagebrush [9,21]. Data from uniform garden studies indicate that nutritional content, unlike preference, is not significantly different among accessions [9]. Black sagebrush ranks high in winter levels of crude protein when compared to other browse species; mean winter crude protein levels of seven accessions equalled 6.8 percent (5.8 to 7.3 percent). Furthermore, digestable dry matter values are very high; mean winter in vitro digestibility equalled 54.8 percent (51.9 to 57.2 percent) of dry matter digested. Black sagebrush is also a good source of vitamin A and an above-average source of phosphorus. Dittberner and Olson [25] rate this species as fair in both energy and protein value. COVER VALUE : Black sagebrush provides valuable ground cover in areas where few other species are adapted. The degree to which black sagebrush provides environmental protection during one or more seasons for wildlife species is as follows [25]: CO MT UT WY Pronghorn Poor Poor Poor Fair Elk Poor ---- Poor Poor Mule deer Poor Poor Poor Poor White-tailed deer Poor ---- ---- ---- Small mammals Fair Poor Good Good Small nongame birds Fair Poor Fair Good Upland game birds Good Fair Fair Good Waterfowl ---- ---- Poor Poor VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : Black sagebrush is an excellent species to establish on sites where management objectives include restoration or improvement of domestic sheep, pronghorn, or mule deer winter range. Although not as productive as other winter forages such a big sagebrush, mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), or fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), plants are adapted to sites where these species do not grow. McArthur and others [42] recommend using black sagebrush on sites having less than 6.9 inches (17.5 cm) of rainfall. Black sagebrush is adapted to big sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, mountain brush, and shadscale-sagebrush vegetation types. This species spreads aggressively from seed on favorable sites and is a good conservation plant for dry, shallow, stony soils and mine spoils. It establishes better from direct seeding than big sagebrush [45]. A highly preferred black sagebrush accession from Pine Valley, Utah is currently being studied for release as a superior cultivar [42]. Survival of transplants in several new locations indicates a high potential for wider planting. OTHER USES AND VALUES : NO-ENTRY MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : Decreases in black sagebrush indicate a downward trend in grazing condition. Poor condition black sagebrush stands are characterized by bare ground in the shrub interspaces and are slow to recover. Moderate mid-winter or alternate year grazing systems are recommended for maintenance of black sagebrush [15,18,32]. Utilization levels of up to 70 percent of the current annual growth are considered acceptable [32]. Clary and Beale [19] report moderate sheep grazing (1ha/sheep month) of black sagebrush winter ranges in Utah caused sites to be avoided by pronghorn; apparently competitive impacts of sheep grazing on pronghorn can be reduced by interspersing grazed and ungrazed units.

Related categories for Species: Artemisia nova | Black Sagebrush

Send this page to a friend
Print this Page

Content on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. We accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from information published on this site. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities.

Information Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Fire Effects Information System

About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy | Links Directory
Link to 1Up Info | Add 1Up Info Search to your site

1Up Info All Rights reserved. Site best viewed in 800 x 600 resolution.