VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Artemisia pedatifida | Birdfoot Sagebrush 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Little is known about the importance of birdfoot sagebrush to livestock
and wildlife.  Its palatability ratings suggest potential importance to
some species.  However, Johnson [12] reports that birdfoot sagebrush has
little value as a browse species.


PALATABILITY : 
Overall palatability of birdfoot sagebrush in Wyoming is rated as
follows [4]:

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


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Birdfoot sagebrush is rated as fair in energy value and good in protein
value [4].  Nutritional content is as follows [17]:

                      Buds, fresh
  Ash                    27.8%
  Crude Fiber            23.7%
  Ether Extract           2.4%
  N-free Extract         39.1%
  Protein (Nx6.25)        7.0%
    Cattle-dig. protein   3.8%
    Horses-dig. protein   3.5%
    Sheep-dig. protein    3.5%



COVER VALUE : 
Because of its short stature, birdfoot sagebrush provides little cover
for wildlife [4].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Birdfoot sagebrush grows well on alkaline flats and could be used for
rehabilitation of alkaline spoils and other revegetation projects [15].
It is rated as having low potential for erosion control and for long-
and short-term revegetation [4].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Birdfoot sagebrush may cause hayfever [4].  It is reported to be a good
soil stabilizer [12].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Birdfoot sagebrush increases in response to grazing [2].  Herbage yields
at four central Montana birdfoot sagebrush sites ranged from 400 to
2,600 pounds (182-1,180 kg) air-dry herbage per acre [2].

Related categories for Species: Artemisia pedatifida | Birdfoot Sagebrush