Influence of Climate on Annual Production of Seven Cold Desert Forage Species

Abstract

Stepwise regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between annual production of seven cold desert forage species and climate variables at different periods of the year. No significant regressions were found for production of Artemisia arbuscula var. nova, Oryzopsis hymenoides, or Sitanion hystrix with precipitation and temperature. For Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Ceratoides lanata, and Atriples gardeneri, significant (p<.05) regressions were found between annual production and precipitation during the spring months. For Artemisia tridentata and Atriplex confertifolia, mean monthly temperature in March and April also appeared in the equations. Multiple regression was used to test the null hypothesis that the amount of variation in annual production explained by winter (November-February) or spring (March-June) precipitation was equal to zero. No significant (p<.05) linear relationship was found between winter precipitation and production, whereas such a relationship appeared more likely for spring precipitation and production of Artemixia tridentata, Ceratoides lanata, and Atriplex gardeneri.