| Show Sagebrush values researched Biologists at al the Great Groat Basin Hasin Research Center in Ephraim recently enlightened Division of Wildlife Resources regional game managers supervisors and administrative personnel regarding sagebrush pa palatability la ability tests that have been conducted jointly by the Division and the intermountain Forest and Range Hange Experimental Station Division Biologist Richard Stevens noted that sagebrush has for many years been unpopular among range people It has been found however that sagebrush is probably the mainstay ly of big game and livestock in Utah said Stevens RESEARCH AT the station has shown that some forms of sagebrush are more palatable than others Observation of the themore themore themore more abundant unpalatable sagebrush forms has lead many persons to conclude that all sagebrush is an undesirable plant noted Stevens Biologists at the station have set up test lest plots near Ephraim where they have planted the palatable and unpalatable forms side by side in rows The sagebrush is on deer winter range allowing deer use to be observed Biologists have found that some sagebrush forms are well eaten while others go untouched giving undeniable evidence of deer preference and needs PALATA PALATABLE FORMS lS show a large white bluish-white band when moistened and examined under ultraviolet light said Stevens This experiment can be conducted with leaves seeds or stems and works best if the plant parts are arc crushed The degree of palatability is evidenced by the intensity of light the plant shows forth under the ultraviolet light Stevens explained that the glow is caused by the intensity of the chemicals and the plants Biologists have also discovered that the number of palatable species increase with elevation This is possibly due tp to the fact that there is actually a 12 month grazing season at lower levels the palatable sagebrush tends to be repeatedly overused which favors the establishment of the unpalatable species Stevens theorized RESEARCH NOW involves attempting to hybridize those species which are adaptable to various altitudes with the palatable types to further increase their range Biologists are bringing the palatable types down to the valley for comparison with the other forms Stevens briefed the group on location of palatable and unpalatable sagebrush forms in the state naming the species involved He lie pointed out that there is use for bolh both forms of sagebrush The unpalatable forms can be put along roads or other places where animals should not be while palatable forms are preferred on heavily used ranges to increase food supply he suggested The Divisions Division's programs rely heavily on advice from the range research centers center's biologists |
