Phenology of the Aerial Portions of Shadscale and Winterfat in Curlew Valley, Utah

Abstract

Phenological development of aboveground portions of shadscale and winterfat was observed for 7 years in Curlew Valley, Utah, and graphically related to patterns of precipitation and temperature. The considerable variation in year-to-year phenology should be noted by those taking data in other basic and applied studies. Preset dates for livestock management actions that ignore yearly phenological differences could result, in some years, in the plants being used during phenological states that are susceptible to damage by browsing. Seed set cannot be counted on every year, complicating one of the assumptions of rest-rotation grazing.