VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Artemisia pygmaea | Pygmy Sagebrush 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Pygmy sagebrush is small and relatively scarce and consequently provides
little forage for livestock or wildlife [13].


PALATABILITY : 
In some areas of Utah, mule deer use of pygmy sagebrush is described as
moderate [16].  However, Brunner [4] reported that pygmy sagebrush was
rarely browsed in the Great Basin of Nevada.  The overall value of pygmy
sagebrush as browse is probably low [10].  The palatability and degree
of use by livestock and wildlife species for pygmy sagebrush in Utah is
as follows [5]:

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


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Pygmy sagebrush is rated as poor in both energy and protein value [5].
Average utilization by mule deer and relative concentrations of three
major volatile compounds from a Utah study are as follows [16]:

      utilization        methacrolein       alpha-pinene        arthole
          54%               0.35%             28.42%             1.62%



COVER VALUE : 
Pygmy sagebrush provides little cover for larger species of wildife due
to its dwarf, cushionlike growth form.  The degree to which pygmy
sagebrush provides environmental protection during one or more seasons
for wildlife species in Utah is as follows [5]:  

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



VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Some researchers report that pygmy sagebrush has low value for erosion
control and for long- and short-term revegetation [5].  Others claim
that this species has good potential for soil stabilization and is at
least moderately adapted for growth on many types of disturbed sites
[14].

Although pygmy sagebrush spreads well from naturally dispersed seed,
artificial plantings have been unsuccessful [13].  Seed preparation is
apparently difficult, and seed handling characteristics are poor [14].
Individual plants can be divided and successfully transplanted onto
disturbed sites [13,14].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Pygmy sagebrush provides a valuable ground cover on dry alkaline sites
where few other plants can survive [13].

Related categories for Species: Artemisia pygmaea | Pygmy Sagebrush