Species for Seeding Arid Rangeland in Southern Idaho

Abstract

Highlight: Ninety species were seeded in 2,450 range plots in 60 studies on depleted rangelands and on abandoned dry farmland in the sagebrush region in southern Idaho. Seedings range from 20 to 40 years old. Crested and fairway wheatgrasses were the most successful species on the drier sagebrush sites, and intermediate and pubescent wheatgrasses on the moister sites. Russian wildrye was good in southeastern Idaho, especially on saline lands. Western and Siberian wheatgrasses had some good stands but were not consistently successful. Good seedbed preparation and control of competing vegetation are necessary to get good stands of seeded species. Good seeded stands produced from 800 to 1,800 lb herbage per acre, as compared to 45 to 200 lb before seeding. The first range seedings in the sagebrush region in southern Idaho were made in 1932 (Wood, 1936; Hull and Klomp, 1966). These and later seedings opened the way for increased forage yields on depleted ranges and on abandoned dry farm lands. To determine plants useful for seeding these lowproducing lands, many species were The author is range scientist,

Success of Seeding Native Compared with Introduced Perennial Vegetation for Revegetating Medusahead-Invaded Sagebrush Rangeland

“…After medusahead control, it is critical to establish perennial vegetation to limit reinvasion and dominance of medusahead and improve ecosystem services and function (Nafus and Davies, 2014). Similar to our results, other authors have reported that introduced bunchgrasses generally have higher establishment rates than native bunchgrasses in sagebrush communities (Robertson et al, 1966;Hull, 1974;Boyd and Davies, 2010). However, the success of establishing native plants from seed increases in big sagebrush communities with increasing precipitation and elevation Davies et al, 2014a).…”

Broad-Scale Assessment of Rangeland Health, Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, USA

“…Replanting areas after sagebrush was removed with nonnative grasses, such as crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), reduced the necessity of a pre-existing understory and was particularly successful at increasing in forage that could be grazed by livestock (Shane et al 1983). The first reseedings in southern Idaho were conducted in 1932 (Hull 1974). The herbicide 2,4-D (used as a defoliant during World War II) was successful in killing sagebrush but was ineffective against rootsprouting shrubs such as rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.).…”

The potential of novel native plant materials for the restoration of novel ecosystems

“…However, early attempts to seed native species met largely with failure, especially relative to the recently introduced crested wheatgrasses. For example, Hull (1974) summarized the results of 60 seeding experiments across southern Idaho that evaluated a total of 90 species. At least partial success was achieved with 42 of these species, while total failure was experienced for all attempts at seeding the remaining 48.…”