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Explore the impact of intensive grazing on sage-grouse brood-rearing habitat. Learn about targeted grazing to manage weedy brush and trees, alternative methods such as chemical and mechanical controls, and the effectiveness of grazing treatments. Discover the benefits of strategic grazing for wildlife habitat and the importance of vegetation and grouse use measurements in habitat restoration projects.
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Sheep for Sage-Grouse Michael Guttery Utah State University
Strategic Intensive Grazing For Wildlife Habitat???
Sage-Grouse Brood-Rearing Habitat • Appears to be a limiting factor for some populations. • Prefer sparse shrub cover. • Need an abundance of forbs and insects.
Alternative Methods Chemical Mechanical
Why Consider Grazing • Public Acceptance • Safety • Cost • CONTROL Campbell and Taylor. 2006. Targeted grazing to manage weedy brush and trees
Study Design • 8 Sets of paired. • Plots are approximately 8 acres (3.2 ha). • Plots randomly chosen to receive grazing treatment.
Grazing Treatment • Grazed from mid-Oct thru late Nov 2006. • 500 sheep per plot. • Each plot grazed for 7-10 days. • Sheep were fed 3 lbs of supplement per head per day.
Vegetation Measurements • Line intercept for % shrub cover (4 transects per plot). • Daubenmire frame for understory cover (12 per plot). • Exclosures (total, ungulate, and open) to assess impact of herbivory (measured cover and biomass). • Sagebrush density and biomass (5 measures per plot).
Grouse Use Measurements • Bird-dog surveys. • Area-constrained surveys (no pre-treatment).
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So, Does It Work? Maybe! If so, then the next question is: How long will the effect last?
Acknowledgements • Utah State University • Department of Wildland Resources • Sage-Grouse Restoration Project • Parker Mountain Adaptive Resources Management Local Working Group (PARM) • Mr. Andy Taft • Dr. Roger Banner • Dr. Fred Provenza • Dr. Terry Messmer