Microsite Requirements for Downy Brome ( Bromus tectorum ) Infestation and Control on Sagebrush Rangelands

Abstract

The sagebrush ( Artemisia )-grass ecosystem is an extensive and important rangeland type in the western United States. Estimates of total area of this ecosystem vary from 38 million ha (21, 22) to 109 million ha (3). Of the sagebrush-grass rangelands, 88% are degraded to the point that they are producing 50% or less of their forage potential (22). Low forage production on these rangelands has been caused by overgrazing and other past land abuses (24) resulting in severe depletion of native perennial grasses, dominance of brush, and, on millions of hectares, downy brome ( Bromus tectorum L. # BROTE) dominance of the understory.