Type | Government Publication |
Organization | Alberta Sustainable Resource Development |
Country | Canada |
Region | Alberta |
Link | http://esrd.alberta.ca/lands-forests/grazing-range-management/documents/BeneficialGrazingManagement-SageGrouse-SilverSagebrush-2004.pdf |
Language | English |
Reference | Adams, B.W., J. Carlson, D. Milner, T. Hood, B. Cairns and P. Herzog. 2004. Beneficial grazing management practices for Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and ecology of silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana) in southeastern Alberta. Technical Report, Public Lands and Forests Division, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. |
Date modified | May 2013 |
The Range Management Branch of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development created this document in order to provide land managers with grazing management practices that will enhance Sage-Grouse habitat on their land.
The document addresses the conservation of Sage-Grouse habitat in Southern Alberta, specifically areas containing silver sagebrush, as critical for the life stages and wintering needs of Sage-Grouse. The document suggests the most important beneficial management decision is the correct application of stocking rates as Sage-Grouse depend on a certain amount of biomass for forage and protection against predation. The biomass that remains after grazing is a result of the stocking rate so correctly managing stocking rates will largely ensure adequate habitat and food for Sage-Grouse.
The document also encourages practices that enhance grassland habitat such as sagebrush cover. Practices and conditions that are detrimental to Sage-Grouse such as overgrazing, drought and large scale burning events are also highlighted.