Cultural Methods for Establishing Wyoming Big Sagebrush on Mined Lands

Schuman, G. E.; Booth, D. Terrance; Cockrell, J.R.

doi:10.2307/4003211

Cited by 62 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(24 reference statements)

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“…Natural big sagebrush recovery can be limited by seed availability, poor seedbed microclimate, competition with grass or other species, or reduced mycorrhizal associations (Blaisdell 1949, Young and Evans 1989, Schuman et al 1998, Hild et al 2006. Our results suggest that there was not a direct effect of the proximity of seed source to the recovery of big sagebrush within our disturbed well sites, indicating that seed dispersal was not the limiting factor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Restoration specialists are required to reestablish big sagebrush after energy development disturbances, but face challenges such as competition from other species of shrubs and grass and poor edaphic and microclimatic conditions during seedling establishment (Blaisdell 1949, Schuman et al 1998, Hild et al 2006). The recovery time of Wyoming big sagebrush has been addressed in several studies using a range of approaches.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sagebrush steppe recovery on 30–90‐year‐old abandoned oil and gas wells

Avirmed¹,

Lauenroth²,

Burke³

et al. 2015

Ecosphere

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Abstract. Oil and natural gas extraction is rapidly expanding in semiarid intermountain big sagebrush ecosystems of the western USA. Formerly covering over 60 million ha, this ecosystem has lost almost half its area due to land use changes. In this study, we measured the natural recovery of the big sagebrush plant community across a chronosequence of 29 oil and gas well sites that were abandoned without reclamation between 1923 and 1980. We measured big sagebrush cover and density with strip transects inside and outside of the well sites, and we estimated big sagebrush biomass using both canopy measurements and allometric equations. Cover of other shrubs, grasses, and forbs was estimated with line transects inside and outside of well sites. We estimated that it takes at least 87 years for Wyoming big sagebrush cover to recover naturally, although big sagebrush density recovered in fewer than 70 years. Grasses and nonsagebrush shrubs recovered rapidly, shown by the high cover of those groups in the youngest sites. We found none of the invasive plants that are common in disturbed big sagebrush communities in other parts of the big sagebrush range. The forbs that account for the largest portion of plant species richness in semiarid ecosystems and promote consumer diversity showed very little indication of recovery after 87 years. Our results suggest that reclamation efforts in disturbed big sagebrush plant communities in southwestern Wyoming should target big sagebrush and forbs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sagebrush steppe recovery on 30–90‐year‐old abandoned oil and gas wells

Avirmed¹,

Lauenroth²,

Burke³

et al. 2015

Ecosphere

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“…The (Schuman et al 1998), and establishment of fringed sagebrush is greater in disturbed than undisturbed swards (Bai and Romo 1996). Identifying criteria for gauging success of establishing plants is key to selecting, evaluating, developing, and improving restoration practices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishment of silver sagebrush in the Northern Mixed Prairie

Romo¹,

Grilz²

2002

REM

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Interest has been expressed in using silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana Pursh ssp. cana) in restoring the Northern Mixed Prairie in Saskatchewan. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of seedbed manipulation treatments and autumn or spring sowing on establishment of silver sagebrush on sites previously seeded to native, perennial grasses. Seeds (achenes) were sown by broadcasting at 20 pure live seeds m"2.Seedling emergence ranged from 5 to 6 % of seeds sown. Most seedlings emerged in May and June; no seedlings emerged after July or in the second year after planting. Seventy-four to 84% of emerging seedlings survived the first growing season with 96 to 98% of these seedlings establishing. On upland sites, seedling emergence (1.1 seedlings m'2 SE ± 0.1) and establishment (0.9 seedlings m 2 SE ± 0.1) were similar between autumn and spring sowing and among seedbed manipulation treatments. On lowland sites, seedling emergence (1.4 seedlings m 2 SE+0.2) and establishment (0.8 seedlings m'2 SE ± 0.2) were similar between autumn and spring seeding. Density of seedlings establishing was greatest when the seedbed was tilled. Establishment of silver sagebrush appears primarily limited by low numbers of seedlings emerging, indicating very specific safe site requirements for this shrub. (0.9 plantulas m_2 ES t 0.1) fueron similares entre las siembras de otoiio y primavera y entre los tratamientos de manipulacion de la cama de siembra. En los sitios bajos la emergencia de plantulas (1.4 plantulas m2 ES ± 0.2) y establecimiento (0.8 plantulas m 2 ES ± 0.2) fueron similares entre las siembras de otoi o y primavera. La densidad de plantulas establecidas fue mayor cuando la cama de siembra fue labrada. El establecimiento de "Silver sagebrush"parce ser limitado principalmente por el bajo numero de plantulas que emergen, indicando que este arbusto tiene requerimientos de sitio seguro muy especificos. En lugares donde se tienen establecidos zacates perennes no se requiere un disturbio drastico para establecer el "Silver sagebrush". Se recomienda sembrar el "Silver sagebrush"a fines de otono, cuando las temperaturas estan consistentemente bajo 0°C o a inicios de primavera, inmediatamente despues de que la nieve se derrite.

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“…Big sagebrush is critical for many wildlife species because it provides critical winter browse and cover (Beetle 1960, Johnson andAnderson 1984). Considerable research has been completed in the past decade to develop cultural practices to enhance establishment of big sagebrush (Schuman et al 1998, Bowen et al 2002, Williams et al 2002. However, excessive wildlife utilization of big sagebrush on some mines seems to have had significant impact on its survival (Olson et al 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Wildlife Utilization on Wyoming Big Sagebrush Growth and Survival on Reclaimed Mine Lands

Partlow¹,

Schuman²,

Olson³

et al. 2004

ASMR

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Ensuring Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young) survival remains a challenge on many mines even years after initial establishment. Wildlife utilization may be a major influence on its survival. A wildlife exclosure was erected in June 2001 on a portion of a study initiated in 1990 at the North Antelope/Rochelle Mine in northeastern Wyoming. Investigations focused on the influence of wildlife utilization on big sagebrush survival and growth under 3 grass seeding rates, inside and outside of the exclosure. Growth, browsing, and survival were evaluated on 72 marked sagebrush plants inside and outside of the exclosure. Permanent 1 m 2 quadrats established in 1990 and 2 x 12 m belt transects were utilized to estimate big sagebrush density both inside and outside of the wildlife exclosure. Big sagebrush mortality, based on the 72 marked plants, was 24 outside the exclosure and 8 inside the exclosure for 2001-2002. Grass seeding rate had no effect on mortality inside the exclosure; however, mortality outside was lowest in the highest grassseeding rate, 32 kg ha -1 . The higher grass-seeding rate appears to have enhanced big sagebrush survival although a specific ecological explanation is not clear from our data. Other research has shown similar responses whether browsed by livestock or wildlife. Big sagebrush browsing outside of the exclosure was 100% on the marked sagebrush plants and no browsing was evident inside the exclosure. Fecal pellet group and individual pellet data along with bite characteristics on the sagebrush leaders indicated that rabbits were the major browsers. Annual leader length (new growth on sagebrush) averaged 44.3 mm inside the exclosure and only 16.8 mm outside the exclosure for the 2 years. Findings of this research has shown that wildlife utilization can significantly impact shrub growth and survival on reclaimed mine lands, making it difficult to achieve the shrub density requirement for bond release. Additional

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Cultural Methods for Establishing Wyoming Big Sagebrush on Mined Lands

Cited by 62 publications

References 22 publications

Sagebrush steppe recovery on 30–90‐year‐old abandoned oil and gas wells

Sagebrush steppe recovery on 30–90‐year‐old abandoned oil and gas wells

Establishment of silver sagebrush in the Northern Mixed Prairie

Effects of Wildlife Utilization on Wyoming Big Sagebrush Growth and Survival on Reclaimed Mine Lands

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