Recruitment of antelope bitterbrush following wildfire

Authors: Clements, Darin - Charlie; Harmon, Daniel - Dan

Submitted to: The Progressive Rancher
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/31/2020
Publication Date: 2/10/2020
Citation: Clements, D.D., Harmon, D.N. 2020. Recruitment of antelope bitterbrush following wildfire. The Progressive Rancher. 20(2):25-27.

Interpretive Summary: Antelope bitterbrush occurs from British Columbia to Montana and south to New Mexico. Antelope bitterbrush is an important browse species to deer, elk, and antelope as well as domestic livestock in late summer and winter months when herbaceous grass species have insufficient digestible protein. Fire, excessive grazing and browsing, insects, drought, and other unfavorable weather conditions can all contribute to the deterioration of antelope bitterbrush communities. The lack of seedling recruitment has been a major problem for many years in most antelope bitterbrush communities, resulting in old decadent stands that lack nutritional quality as well as sufficient seed production. Early researchers reported limited to no success on seeding antelope bitterbrush on western rangelands. Due to this reporting, resource managers had no confidence in seeding this critical browse species, therefore the seeding of antelope bitterbrush was nearly absent for a quarter of a century. Direct seeding of antelope bitterbrush significantly increased antelope bitterbrush densities following wildfires. Broadcast seeding also significantly increased antelope bitterbrush following wildfires. Transplanting of antelope bitterbrush seedlings had varied results, but was much more costly than direct or broadcast seeding efforts. The failure to not seed antelope bitterbrush following wildfires contributes to the decline of this critical browse species which ultimately reduces plant species diversity and forage and cover for wildlife and domestic livestock. Our experience and the research we showcase show the potential to restore antelope bitterbrush following wildfires and improve wildlife habitat and grazing resources.

Technical Abstract: Antelope bitterbrush occurs from British Columbia to Montana and south to New Mexico. The widespread distribution of this species implies the importance of this shrub. In 1924, Arthur W. Sampson, one of the fathers of range management, reported that antelope bitterbrush is an important browse species to deer, elk, and antelope. Since that time, antelope bitterbrush has been well documented as a critical browse species for wintering mule deer herds and highly preferred by domestic livestock during late summer, fall, and winter months when herbaceous vegetation dries up and is low in digestible protein. Fire, excessive grazing and browsing, insects, drought, and other unfavorable weather conditions can all contribute to the deterioration of antelope bitterbrush communities. The lack of seedling recruitment has been a major problem for many years in most antelope bitterbrush communities, resulting in old decadent stands that lack nutritional quality as well as sufficient seed production. Early researchers reported limited to no success on seeding antelope bitterbrush on western rangelands. Due to this reporting, resource managers had no confidence in seeding this critical browse species, therefore the seeding of antelope bitterbrush was nearly absent for a quarter of a century. The failure to not seed antelope bitterbrush following wildfires contributes to the decline of this critical browse species which ultimately reduces plant species diversity and forage and cover for wildlife and domestic livestock. Our experience and the research we showcase show the potential to restore antelope bitterbrush following wildfires and improve wildlife habitat and grazing resources.