Effects of Precipitation Variance on Annual Growth of 14 Species of Browse Shrubs In Southeastern Oregon

Abstract

Growth response of 14 species of shrubs to precipitation occurring between September and June was measured during a 15-year period. Vegetative production was found to be significantly corrolated (p = 0.01) to precipitation. Regression analysis of 3,750 measurements of annual growth enabled the development of linear equations which may be used by habitat managers to forecast shrub browse production expressed as a percentage of normal production.