Foliage Mortality of Mountain Big Sagebrush in Southwestern Idaho during the Winter of 1976-77

Abstract

Mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana) in southwest Idaho suffered extensive overwinter foliage mortality during 1976-77 where the normally deep snow cover was lacking. Mortality was 75 to 100% in areas where snow usually covers dense stands of sagebrush; however, winterkill was slight in areas of usually shallow snow cover. Winter-induced physiologic drought caused by frozen soils, low soil water content, and above average air temperature was the apparent cause of sagebrush foliage mortality.