Winter Cold Damage to Bitterbrush Related to Spring Sheep Grazing

Abstract

Sub-freezing winter cold occasionally causes extensive damage to rangeland shrubs. Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) was damaged in northern Utah during the winter of 1972-1973. The damage appeared to be largely independent of spring grazing by domestic sheep. Managers should recognize and separate the influence of such damage from grazing influences to properly assign stocking levels. Improper interpretation of reduced browse plant production or condition may lead to unnecessary reductions in animal populations.