THE IMPORTANCE OF SAGEBRUSH 1

The Importance of Sagebrush in

Western United States Ecosystems
Lydia-Rae Rasper
ENVL 4500
Tait Chirenje
Summer 2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................................. 3
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 4
BOTANICAL INFORMATION & Taxonomy ................................................................................. 4-5
HABITAT............................................................................................................................................. 6-7
HISTORY & USES ................................................................................................................................. 7
THREATS ............................................................................................................................................ 7-9
CHEATGRASS INVASION ...................................................................................................................... 7-8
PINYON-JUNIPER EXPANSION ................................................................................................................. 8
TEMPERATURE INCONSISTENCY .............................................................................................................. 9
MOTH DAMAGE .................................................................................................................................... 9
OVERGRAZING & DEVELOPMENT............................................................................................................ 9
IMPORTANCE .................................................................................................................................... 10
ANIMAL SURVIVAL .............................................................................................................................. 10
Sage grouse .................................................................................................................................... 10
Pygmy rabbit .................................................................................................................................. 11
American pronghorn ....................................................................................................................... 11
Other mammals .............................................................................................................................. 11
PLANT LIFE SUSTAINABILITY ................................................................................................................. 11
Soil ............................................................................................................................................ 11-12

MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION ............................................................................................ 12-13

CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................ 13-14
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................. 15-16
APPENDIX ........................................................................................................................................... 17

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Abstract
Sagebrush is a keystone species and is often the most dominant vegetation in western United
States ecosystems. It is one of the biggest components adding to biological diversity and
health, specifically in the sagebrush steppes of the northern Great Basin. Without the presence
of sagebrush, there would be no support system for other native perennial forbs and grasses.
Wildlife such as the sage grouse, pygmy rabbit, and the American pronghorn thrive in
ecosystems lush with sagebrush. Many organisms rely heavily on the sagebrush for food and
shelter. The decline of what seems like an insignificant plant to most could considerably change
the surrounding habitat for good.

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The Importance of Sagebrush in Western Ecosystems
Introduction
Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate) and all of its subspecies share essential roles in the
western United States and its ecosystems. Sagebrush is a keystone species and without its
prevalence in nature, there would be great loss in all other aspects of the environment.
Without the native sagebrush species populations in the west, other native species in that area
will also decline. Threats to the sagebrush population include cheatgrass invasion, Pinyonjuniper expansion, temperature inconsistency, moth damage, and overgrazing and
development by humans and agricultural practices.
Botanical Information & Taxonomy
Big Sagebrush is one of the most commonly found shrubs in the Western Unites States,
and is a member of the sunflower family. They can be anywhere from a short 2 feet to as large
as 13 feet tall, with spreading branches and leaves that are colored blue or green with a slight
grey overtone. In larger species, braches grow from one central trunk, but smaller varieties
may have several main stems for branches to grow out from. Big sagebrush also has a two part
root system that includes a deep taproot and a shallow diffuse root system (Natureserve
Western Ecology Group, 2010)
The leaves on big sagebrush are densely packed, have thick grey hairs, and are arranged
in a spiral formation on the stem of the plant. As reported by the USDA NRCS (2014), sagebrush
leaves differ in length from 0.2 to 2.0 inches, and can be 0.08 to 0.8 inches wide. They can have

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two shapes cuneate or flabelliform. Cuneate leaves are wedge-shaped, triangular and slowly
narrow to the base where they attach to the stem. Flabelliform leaves are bell shaped.
When big sagebrush flowers in August and September, they produce a heavy aroma.
The ploidy levels of the sagebrush and its subspecies vary, but it is known that polyploidy is a
significant influence in adaptation. Polyploidy can impact plant fertility and strength.
Polyploids are cells within organisms that contain more than two sets of homologous
chromosomes. Polyploids are better adapted to extreme ecological environments than
diploids. This plays a substantial role in restoration and how plants are chosen to repopulate
particular areas.
Big Sagebrush has six subspecies: basin, Wyoming, mountain, subalpine, xeric, and
Parish. Basin big sagebrush is most plentiful in the valley bottoms to mountain foothills. They
usually grow in the lowest elevation range compared to all of the other species. Basin big
sagebrush is the largest subspecies and commonly has an uneven-top with lightly branching
flowering stems scattered all over the crown. Wyoming big sagebrush and basin big sagebrush
overlap in elevation and range. Wyoming sagebrush and mountain sagebrush are generally
smaller plants with tiny leaves. Mountain sagebrush has even topped crowns with panicles
climbing distinctly and fairly evenly above the foliage, with wide leaves (Michael R. Frisina,
2004).
Xeric big sagebrush is thought to be the product of hybridization between basin and
mountain big sagebrush. Xeric big sagebrush plants are big and have an irregular topped crown
similar to those of the basin big sagebrush, but its leaf UV color and cytological characters make

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it seem more like mountain big sagebrush (Johnson, Kathleen A., 2000). Parishs big sagebrush is
unlike the other taxon because it is limited to dry, sandy soils in the hills of southern California.
It has limp flowering branches and the achenes are hairy. Although all subspecies of sagebrush
are important to ecosystem health and diversity, this paper will focus on basin big sagebrush
subspecies in the northern Great Basin, for it is the most densely populated area of concern.
Habitat
Basin big sagebrush is mainly in valleys and mountain foothills, occupying areas with
productive loamy and sandy soil found at low to mid elevations. According to the USDA NRCS
(2014), big sagebrush thrives with precipitation ranges from 8 to 30 inches. Usually big
sagebrush will mature in soils with a pH between 5.9 to 10.0 and with organic matter content of
0.62 to 4.14 percent.
Big sagebrush is drought tolerant and does not do well at high elevations or in
meadows. Many sagebrush taxa are habitat dominant and are intensely linked with native
fauna. This means that the big sagebrush and their subspecies are some of the most abundant
plant life in the area and exert the most influence and control on the habitat and other species
in that ecosystem (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2013). This is true for sagebrush in many ways which
will be explained later in this paper. Big sagebrush will continue to be a species of concern
because of the fact that it is a keystone species, and many organisms depend on it.
The largest big sagebrush populations occur in the northern Great Basin. The Great
Basin encompasses most of the state of Nevada in conjunction with portions of Utah, Oregon,
Idaho, and California. As previously stated, big sagebrush is most common in lower elevation

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areas of the Great Basin. This plant community is referred to as the sagebrush steppe (See map
of sagebrush distribution in the appendix).
History & Uses
Artemisia originates from the name for the Greek goddess of the hunt and wild nature,
Artemis. The Greek word tridentata means "three toothed" for the shrubs three lobed leaves
that look similar to teeth. Sagebrush originally occurred in the late Miocene Epoch (15 million
years ago). This is when the climate started to dry in the western North America, which caused
exceptional environments for sagebrush habitat.
Sagebrush was extensively used by many native North American Indian tribes
who used it to treat a wide-ranging variety of disorders. Sagebrush bark was frequently used to
make clothing, sleeping mats, and moccasins by Idaho's native people. It was also used to
make cordage. This was very easy because all that needs to be done to make the cord is to rub
the bark between your hands. This makes the fibers soft and it removes tiny pieces of leftover
bark. Sometimes before the bark is completely removed and the cord fibers are soft, they are
usually soaked in water to make them more flexible. Native Americans also used big sagebrush
leaves to fend off ticks.
Threats
Cheatgrass invasion
The ultimate threat to sagebrush is the invasion of cheatgrass into the understory.
More than fifty percent of sagebrush habitat has been invaded by cheatgrass in the west.

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Cheatgrass gets an early start in the spring which gives it an advantage and makes it incredibly
easy to out-compete other native plants and compete for the already limited nutrients and
water. According to Lewis Thomas and his work in Science Findings (2007), cheetgrass can live
out its entire lifecycle in just a few weeks in spring.
Severe fires are promoted by cheatgrass as well. Because it starts its life cycle so early
in the spring, by mid-summer it is dead and dried out. Cheatgrass propagates itself through
fire. The fires are started because of the intense heat and the dryness of the plants, but
through the fire more cheatgrass is produced and most of the sagebrush is devastated.
Sagebrush and other plant life cannot handle frequent fire. This puts the cheatgrass at an
advantage once again. The fire clears away the overstory of sagebrush and other plant life not
benefitted by fire, and provides a larger landscape area for the growth of new cheatgrass.
Pinyon-juniper expansion
The expansion of pinyon-juniper woodlands into sagebrush habitat is another big threat.
As woodland areas inflate, sagebrush habitat diminishes. Here the opposite problem is now
posing a threat to the big sagebrus. The decrease in fire occurences is allowing pinyon-juniper
woodlands to encroach on the sagebrush savanna compared to too much fire in lower
elevations where cheatgrass populations are soaring because of the high rate of fire. At high
elevations there is not enough fire to keep the tree growth at a minimum so sagebrush
populations can grow. As the cheatgrass and pinyon-juniper habitats keep getting closer and
closer, eventually the fire will knock out not only just the sagebrush population, but the pinyonjuniper population as well. This will leave the cheatgrass as the last plant standing.

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Temperature inconsistency
Winter damage is another threat to the sagebrush livelihood. Sometimes temperatures
drop below freezing more quickly than normal, or they fluctuate between warmer weather and
severely cold weather. The temperature range for healthy germination ranges between 41-77
degrees Fahrenheit (Johnson, Kathleen A., 2000). This is a problem, especially if the
temperatures drop before the sagebrush has entered into dormancy. The sagebrush might be
tricked into coming out of dormancy because the weather has warmed up, only to go into
shock and possibly die after the warm air moves away and the temperature decreases again.
Moth damage
Moth and webworm damage is a small concern when it comes to sagebrush
populations. Although the moths will not kill whole stands because they are also threatened by
other insects, they are capable of doing significant damage to the shrubs.
Overgrazing & development
Last but not least, overgrazing of livestock, farmland and energy development, and just
development in general are all threats to the sagebrush habitat. If you take away viable habitat
for any organism their chances for survival declines immediately; that seems like common
sense. Later I will discuss the methods states in the west are using to combat the loss of
sagebrush and replenish its population.

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Importance
Animal survival
Big sagebrush provides essential habitat for numerous western animal species. Big
sagebrush offers nesting area for sage grouse, sparrows, and other upland game birds. Big
sagebrush provides shade and protection for animals from the wind and rain. It also provides a
place for animals to hide from predators and stay out of harms way. Without it, there would
be less productivity in these areas and ecosystem processes would change dramatically.
Sage grouse
The sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is the biggest grouse in North America and
they are considered the signature species of the sagebrush ecosystem. Native sagebrush
habitat is closely linked with the life cycle of the sage grouse. They rely heavily on the
sagebrush leaves and insects that reside in the sagebrush for a source of nourishment. Seventy
to seventy-five percent of a sage grouses diet is made up of the big sagebrush leaves and its
flower clusters. Sage grouse also use sagebrush for their primary nesting sites. Without
sagebrush the sage grouse would lose its essential habitat.
Pygmy rabbits.
The Pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) is another species that depends on mature
sagebrush for their survival. Sagebrush is a perfect cover for the pigmy rabbit to hide the
entrances to their burrows. In 1979 a study was done on pygmy rabbits and their stomach
content. They took samples of the ingested material from the rabbits and found that ninety-

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seven percent of the content was sagebrush. This means that the Pygmy rabbit would no
longer be able to survive without the presence of sagebrush.
American pronghorn.
The American pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is one of the only animals who graze
on sagebrush and are not negatively affected by its chemical makeup. Without the sagebrush,
it will be increasingly difficult for the pronghorn to keep on surviving.
Other mammals.
Antelope, mule deer, sharp-tailed grouse, jackrabbits, elk, and many other species eat
substantial amounts of big sagebrush throughout the year. According to Lewis Thomas (2007),
about three hundred and fifty animal and plant species are at risk if the sagebrush population
keeps declining the way it has been in the western United States.
Plant life sustainability
Believe it or not, big sagebrush is not only beneficial to the animal community; it is also
a big part of why the plant community thrives the way it does. Because of its two part root
system, the plant is able to create a hydraulic lift. A hydraulic lift is helpful to the plant life
nearby and the overall ecosystem health because it allows deep soil moisture to be brought
closer to the surface via the taproot system during the day, and then at night it is available to
use the diffuse root system at the surface of the soil. The water being closer to the surface of
the soil makes it available for other plant life in the understory as well. Big sagebrush also
provides water to other plants by catching and holding the windblown snow in the winter.

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Once the snow melts, the water percolates down in that specific area instead of running off
into waterways.
Soil
Big sagebrush is a key factor in helping to prevent soil erosion. The roots of the
sagebrush create stability and hold the soil in place. The roots of the plant also contribute to
soil organic materials. About one third of the dense root system dies each year, which more
than doubles the thickness of the soil profile. Big sagebrush litter also adds to the formation of
hummus and in turn, improves nutritional transport and soil hydrology methods. They are also
a great indicator of soil features. Certain subspecies of big sagebrush are only found in specific
soils. Proper identification of a species of sagebrush can tell a great deal about the soils in that
area.
Management & Restoration
For years the significance of sagebrush in western rangelands remained unrecognized,
but now more practices have been put into place to reestablish sagebrush communities and
protect those that already exist. Regardless of the many valued benefits of sagebrush to the
rangelands, there are cases where it is appropriate to thin down and regenerate sagebrush
stands. In these specific cases it is not necessary to eradicate the entire stand. Numerous
systems exist for partial removal of the sagebrush.
One way to thin out the population to allow for regeneration is the use of herbicides.
Another way is to implement prescribed burns. It is the most simple and common way, but

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care needs to be taken in order to only eradicate some of the sagebrush. If there is enough fuel,
the burn could get too hot and completely eliminate the entire sagebrush population.
According to the USDA NRCS (2014), techniques of mechanical removal of sagebrush
consist of anchor chaining, pipe harrowing, land imprinting offset disking and brush beating
with brush hogs or mowers. Disking and harrowing are good options, but they do some
damage to the understory plants. Land imprinting and chaining are the best and least
expensive options.
Restoration efforts include replanting big sagebrush seeds in areas overtaken by fire.
Seeds from appropriate subspecies for certain areas make the growth healthier and long
lasting. In other states like Montana, some private landowners have agreed to work with the
FWP to conserve sagebrush grasslands through an organization called the Montana Sagebrush
Initiative. This program gives the participants a one-time payment of twelve dollars per acre to
protect the sagebrush grasslands on their land. The Montana Sagebrush Initiative is federally
funded and over a 30-year lease, has successfully protected and secured about 200,000 acres of
sagebrush.
Conclusion
In the end, big sagebrush is amazingly imperative to western United States ecosystems.
It promotes habitat diversity and overall health to the creatures that live in these areas.
Without the sagebrush there would be a steady decline in the animal and plant content of the
west. So many mammals rely on sagebrush for shelter and food. We should continue to do all

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we can to restore and replenish sagebrush communities and keep the natural habitat the way it
is meant to be.

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References
Chris Clarke (2012). An Introduction to Desert Sagebrush and its Evolution. KCET.
Retrieved from http://www.kcet.org/news/the_back_forty/botany/evolution-at-work-in-a-seaof-sagebrush.html
Johnson, Kathleen A. 2000. Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana. In: Fire Effects
Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available:
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2014, December 8].
Lewis Thomas (2007). Sagebrush in western North America: Habitats and Species in
Jeopardy. Science Findings. (91), 1-5. Retrieved from
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/sciencef/scifi91.pdf
Michael R. Frisina and Carl L. Wambolt (2004). Keying in on Big Sagebrush: A Guide for
Identifying the Four Subspecies of Sagebrush. Rangelands. 26 (1), 12-16. Retrieved from
http://sagemap.wr.usgs.gov/docs/KeyInSage.pdf
Natureserve Western Ecology Group & L.K. Vance, T. Luna (2010). Big Sagebrush
Shrubland. Montana Field Guides. Retrieved from
http://fieldguide.mt.gov/displayES_Detail.aspx?ES=5257
Sage and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Technical Committee for the Western
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (2009). Prescribed Fire as a Management Tool in Xeric

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Sagebrush Ecosystems: Is it Worth The Risk to Sage-Grouse?. 1-22. Retrieved from
http://wgfd.wyo.gov/wtest/Departments/Wildlife/pdfs/SG_PRESCRIBEDBURNING0000677.pdf
Susan M. White, Bruce L. Welch, AND Jerran T. Flinders (1982). Monoterpenoid Content
of Pygmy Rabbit Stomach Ingesta. Journal of Range Management. 35 (1), 107-108. Retrieved
from https://journals.uair.arizona.edu/index.php/jrm/article/viewFile/7279/6891
USDA NRCS Idaho State Office (2014). Plant Guide. 1-8. Retrieved from
http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_artr2.pdf
USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program (2014). Plant Fact Sheet. 1. Retrieved from
http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_artr2.pdf
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. "Why Care About America's Sagebrush?" N.p., Dec. 2013.
Web.
USGS (2014). Pygmy Rabbits Landscape. Retrieved from
http://rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/UAS/PygmyRabbitLandscape.shtml

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Appendix

Figure 1: North American Sagebrush population locations in relation to national parks in the
western United States.