Sagebrush (Artemisia L.) taxa historically functioned as the keystone species on 1 090 000 km2 of rangeland across the western United States, and Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle and Young) is or was dominant on a substantial amount of this landscape. Wyoming big sagebrush provides habitat for numerous wildlife species. Nevertheless, Wyoming big sagebrush communities are commonly manipulated to decrease shrub cover and density and increase the productivity and diversity of herbaceous plants. We examined relationships between management-directed changes in Wyoming big sagebrush and greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), elk (Cervus elaphus), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), species commonly associated with these ecosystems. We focused on herbicide applications, mechanical treatments, and prescribed burning, because they are commonly applied to large areas in big sagebrush communities, often with the goal to improve wildlife habitats. Specifically, our objective was to identify treatments that either enhance or imperil sagebrush habitats for these wildlife species. The preponderance of literature indicates that habitat management programs that emphasize treating Wyoming big sagebrush are not supported with respect to positive responses by sage-grouse habitats or populations. There is less empirical information on ungulate habitat response to Wyoming big sagebrush treatments, but the value of sagebrush as cover and food to these species is clearly documented. A few studies suggest small-scale treatments (≤ 60-m width) in mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana [Rydb.] Beetle) may create attractive foraging conditions for brooding sage-grouse, but these may have little relevance to Wyoming big sagebrush. Recommendations or management programs that emphasize treatments to reduce Wyoming big sagebrush could lead to declines of wildlife species. More research is needed to evaluate the response of sagebrush wildlife habitats and populations to treatments, and until that time, managers should refrain from applying them in Wyoming big sagebrush communities.
Sagebrush (Artemisia L.) históricamente ha funcionado como un especie clave en 1 090 000 km2 de pastizales a través del oeste de los Estados Unidos y Wyoming big sagebrush (A. tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle and Young) es o fue dominante en una gran área de este paisaje. En Wyoming big sagebrush provee hábitat para una gran cantidad de especies de fauna silvestre. Sin embargo, en Wyoming las comunidades de big sagebrush son comúnmente manipuladas para disminuir su cobertura y densidad para incrementar la productividad y diversidad de plantas herbáceas. Se examinó la relación entre los cambios debidos al manejo dirigido en Wyoming big sagebrush y las especies de sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), elk (Cervus elaphus), berrendo (Antilocapra americana) y venado mula (Odocoileus hemionus), comúnmente asociadas con estos ecosistemas. Nos enfocamos en la aplicación de herbicidas, tratamientos mecánicos, y fuego prescrito, ya que ellos son se aplican comúnmente en áreas extensas de comunidades de big sagebrush, frecuentemente con la meta de mejorar el hábitat para fauna silvestre. Específicamente, nuestro objetivo fue identificar los tratamientos que mejoran o ponen en riesgo los hábitats de sagebrush para estas
