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Response of a Seed Mix and Development of
Ground Cover on Northerly and Southerly
Exposures in the 1985 Jarvies Canyon Burn,
Daggett County, Utah
Sherel Goodrich
Allen Huber
Abstract-Response ofa seed mix and recovery of plant and litter
cover are compared for adjacent southerly (warm) and northerly
(cool) exposures within a burn within the pinyon-juniper belt.
Various plant species responded differently to the different exposures. Response of seeded and some nonseeded species are discussed. Mter 10 years, ground cover that provided protection
against rain drop splash and sheet wash was 79 percent on the warm
exposure and 97 percent on the cool exposure. Soil standards for
cover should reflect different site specific capabilities as demonstrated on these two exposures.
Wildlands present a variety of ecological niches within
many project areas with variation in exposure, gradient,
slope position incl uding drainage bottoms, change in geology
and soils including amount of rock at the soil surface and in
the soil profile, and other features. Seedings of burned areas
and other projects are more likely to achieve desired objectives for cover, species diversity, forage supply over a greater
part of a year, and higher production when they include a
mix of species that can respond to site differences within the
project area (Plummer and others 1968). At this study area,
exposure is expected to be the major feature of difference in
response of different plants.
Study Sites _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
The study sites are within the Jarvies Canyon Burn of
1985. This burn is in the Green River corridor north of the
Flaming Gorge Dam in Daggett County, Utah, and about 3
miles northwest of the town of Dutch John and the Flaming
Gorge Weather Station. Records from this weather station
from 1957 through 1992 indicate annual precipitation of
12.50 inches of which 63 percent comes in the April through
September period (Ashcroft and others 1992). The study
sites are within the Uinta Mountain Section as defined by
McNab and Avers (1994), and within a landtype composed of
ridge and ravine topography underlain by Precambrian
quartzitic materials and shales of the Uinta Mountain
Group. Elevation ofthe burn ranged from 6,200 to 6,800 feet.
The study sites were at about 6,700 feet.
In: Monsen, Stephen B.; Stevens, Richard, comps. 1999. Proceedings:
ecology and management of pinyon-juniper communities within the Interior
West; 1997 September 15-18; Provo, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-9. Ogden, UT: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research
Station.
Sherel Goodrich is Forest Ecologist, Ashley National Forest, Vernal, UT
84078. Allen A. Huber is Range Technician, Duchesne District, Ashley
National Forest, Duchesne, UT 84021.
346
Two general phases lie within the landtype. One phase is
on northerly (cool) exposures where alder-leaf mountainmahoganylbluebunch wheatgrass (Cercocaprus montanus
Raf./Elymus spicatus [Pursh] Gould) communities with high
plant diversity are seral to pinyon-juniper. The other phase
is on southerly (warm) exposures where communities are
often dominated by rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus
nauseosus [Pallas] Britt.), mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. pauciflora Winward & Goodrich), and
grasses. These communities are also seral to pinyon-juniper.
Gradient of the study site of cool exposure is about 15
percent, while that ofthe warm exposure is about 20 percent.
On the warm exposures cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.)
has proven to be a highly competitive plant. It was of much
lower frequency on the cool exposure.
Prior to burning, the sites were dominated by mature
stands of pinyon-juniper with canopy cover in excess of 50
percent on the cool exposure and somewhat less than this on
the warm exposure. In the fall of 1985, 233 acres were
burned by helitorch and aerial seeded in a cooperative
project between the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and
the Ashley National Forest in which the Forest Service was
responsible for burning and aerial application of seed, and
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources supplied the seed mix
(table 1). Both cool and warm exposures were burned, and
intensity and spread of fire was sufficient to achieve essentially 100 percent mortality of pinyon andjuniperwithin the
perimeter of the burn.
The burn area had been closed to permitted livestock
grazing since the early 1960's. Age and canopy cover of stands
within the burn area indicate low presence of understory
species through much of the 1900's. Permitted livestock use is
Table 1-Seed mix applied aerially to the burn in the fall of 1985.
Species
Seed per acre
Seeds per acres
Ib
Fairway crested wheatgrass
Intermediate wheatgrass
Lincoln smooth brome
Pi ute orchardgrass
Hard fescue
Ladak alfalfa
Small burnet
Yellow sweetclover
Mountain big sagebrt.Jsh
Total
1
1
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
15
175,000
150,000
213,000
1,308,000
1,360,000
400,000
55,115
520,000
2,575,940
BOetermined from seeds per Ib as given in Plummer and others (1968) and
Stefferud (1948).
USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-9. 1999
",
,~
expected to have been comparatively low at this site prior to
the 1960's and none since that time.
The seed mix applied to the area included Fairway crested
wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum [1.] Gaertner), Intermediate wheatgrass (Elymus hispidus [Opiz] Meld.), Lincoln
smooth brome (Bromus.inermis Leysser), Piute orchardgrass
(Dactylis glomerata L.), hard fescue (Festuca ovina var.
duriuscula [L.] Koch.), Ladak alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.),
Small burnet (Sanguisorba minor.Scop.), Yellow sweetclover
(Melilotus officinalis [L.] Pallas), and mountain big sagebrush (table 1). The moisture year that followed burning and
seeding was favorable for establishment and growth of
plants. In addition to the seeded species, cheatgrass and
Japanese chess (Bromusjaponicus Thumb.) became abundant enough to be significant in sampling at the sites. There
were a few other native and introduced species of low
frequency found on the sites.
Those oflow frequency found in plots on the cool exposure
were mostly natives. These were low penstemon (Penstemon
humilis N utt.), mountain dandelion (Agoserisglauca [Pursh]
Raf.), and rockcress (Arabis L.). For the warm exposure,
native species of low frequency found in plots were Ross
sedge (Carex rossii Boott), tansy mustard (Descurainia
pinnata [Walt.] Britton), narrowleaf goosefoot (Chenopodium leptophyllum [Moq.] Wats.), and hairy goldenaster
(Heterotheca villosa [Pursh] Shinners). Introduced species
of low frequency on the warm exposure were false flax
(Camelina_microcarpa Andrz. in DC.), and Russian thistle
(Salsola pestifer A. Nels.).
Methods and Results
Rooted nested frequency (table 2) was determined in each
of four nested plot sizes for all species at 100 sample points
on each of the cool and warm exposures. Canopy cover of
shrubs was determined on 500 feet ofline intercept. Ground
cover (tables 3 and 4) was determined from 400 point
samples on each exposure. Methods for nested frequency,
line intercept, and ground cover used in this study are
outlined by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
(1993). Belt lines along which each of the above data sets
were taken were permanently marked. Samples were taken
Table 2-Nested frequency scores for the two sites in 2 years
based on potential score of 400.
Species
Fairway crested
wheatgrass
Intermediate
wheatgrass
Hard fescue
Piute orchardgrass
Lincoln smooth brome
Cheatgrass
Japanese chess
Ladak alfalfa
Yellow sweetclover
Small burnet
Warm exposure
1996
1989
1996
159a
264 a
166a
138a
32
26
35
a
24a
207a
121 a
a
137
0
9
104
0
0
277
a
90
a
243
0
0
103
0
0
a
a
148
8
57
a
155
a
77
a
145
0
0
a
aThe spread in scores for these species between years indicates significance
at 80 percent probability (Chi Square = 1.642 with 1 degree of freedom).
USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-9. 1999
Site
Warm exposure 1991
Warm exposure 1996
Cool exposure 1989
Cool exposure 1996
Veg. Litter Moss Rock Pave. Soil Total
24a
a
96
117a
a
184
37a
182a
211
174a
a
0
a
13
22 a
93a
a
35
47
39
119a
a
45
400
400
25 a
a
8
6
1
108
13a
a
400
400
aThe spread in scores for these values between 1991 and 1996 for the warm
exposure and between 1989 and 1996 for the cool exposure is indicated to be
significant at 80 percent probability (Chi Square = 1.642 with 1 degree of freedom).
Table 4-Development of ground cover (expressed as percent)
following fire.
Site
Warm exposure 1991
Warm exposure 1996
Cool exposure 1989
Cool exposure 1996
Veg. Litter Moss Rock Pave. Soil Total
6
24
9
46
29
46
53
44
0
3
6
23
9
6
2
12
0
2
30
11
27
3
100
100
100
101
in 1989 and 1996 on the cool exposure and in 1991 and 1996
on the warm exposure. On the cool exposure, production
(table 5) of above ground annual production (air dry weight)
was measured in four different years in 10 random placed
plots of9.6 ft2. No production measurements were taken on
the warm exposure.
Dispersion of ground cover is indicated by quadrat frequency as well as nested frequency. In the 10th year after
treatment, onlyoneof100quadratsof19.7by 19.7 inches (50
by 50 em) on the warm exposure did not have a perennial
plant in it, and only eight of 100 nested plots of 9.8 by 9.8
inches (25 by 25 em) did not have a perennial plant in them.
By the 10th year, all 100 quadrats on the cool exposure had
perennial plants in them, where only one of 100 nested plots
of9.8 by 9.8 inches did not have a perennial plant in it. The
closely spaced plants with numerous fine stems indicate
high value for dispersion of plants in relation to watershed
protection.
Line intercept data showed no shrub cover on the warm
exposure and rubber rabbitbrush crown cover of 0.3 percent
in 1989 and 0.8 percent in 1996, and big sagebrush crown
cover of 0 percent in 1989 and 1.8 percent in 1996.
Cool exposure
1991
72
10
56
a
30
a
50
a
164
0
23
Table 3-Development of ground cover as measured at 400 points
on each the warm and cool exposures. Values shown are
the number of points for each parameter of cover.
Discussion and Management
Implications _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
All seeded species except alfalfa and small burnet had
higher frequency in 1989 on the cool exposure than they did
in 1991 on the warm exposure. There are 2 years between
these readings. However, greater establishment for all seeded
species except alfalfa and small burnet is strongly indicated
for the cool exposure. The difference in years supports this
conclusion.
Lower production in 1989 was perhaps a function of
precipitation of poor timing and low amounts. However, an
obvious difference is the low prod uction of alfalfa in that year
347
Table 5-Aboveground herbaceous annual production on the cool exposure.
Pounds per
acre air dry weight
Species
Fairway crested wheatgrass
Intermediate wheatgrass
Lincoln smooth brome
Piute orchardgrass
Hard fescue
Ladak alfalfa
Small burnet
Yellow sweetclover
Mountain big sagebrush
Totals
1989
1991
1993
1996
1989
1991
247
30
57
167
310
50
0
0
0
372
62
258
37
279
526
3
0
0
145
41
171
78
701
911
4
0
0
186
113
197
12
316
591
0
0
24
29
3
7
19
36
6
0
0
0
24
4
17
2
18
34
0
0
0
860
1541
2051
1439
compared to the later years. Much of the higher production
oflater years is a function of maturation and greater prod uction of alfalfa.
Variation in production and percent composition based on
species production found at this site indicates problems for
standards and monitoring based only on measurement of
weight. Rather wide variations can be expected as a function
of timing and amounts of precipitation and variations in
temperature that are independent of management practices. A hard freeze in June, which has happened here, can
greatly reduce production and change composition from that
of other years with more favorable temperatures.
Ground cover provided by vegetation and litter increased
significantly and bare soil decreased significantly with time
as plants became established and produced litter. After 10
growing seasons, potential for cover providing protection
against raindrop splash and sheet erosion (vegetation, litter, moss, and rock) is indicated to be 79 percent for the warm
exposure and 97 percent for the cool exposure. Additional
monitoring might show additional increase in ground cover
on the warm exposure, but since. percent ground cover on the
cool exposure approached 100 percent, it can be considered
at potential. The warm, dry conditions of the warm exposure
indicates less than 100 percent as potential, and perhaps the
79 percent measured after 10 years is close to potential.
Soil standards for soil protection should include differences in potential ground cover for cool and warm exposures.
The Decision Notice for the Environmental Assessment for
Flaming Gorge Pinyon-Juniper Treatment (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 1985) that applied to the
Jarvies Canyon and other burns of the area included an
objective to "Re-establish 70% ground cover in five years"
after treatment. This standard seems fairly reasonable
considering the information available on which to make the
decision, and on the cool exposure this standard was met.
However, after 5 years, cover of vegetation , litter, and rock
totaled 58 percent on the warm exposure, which was 12
percent below the standard. If pavement (12 percent) was
considered effective cover, the standard would have been
met. However, pavement (rock fragments less than 0.75
inches diameter) on these slopes is of questionable value for
watershed protection. The data indicate more specific standards could be drafted for cool and warm exposures.
Also included in management goals and objectives of
the environmental analysis was a standard to "produce a
348
Percent Composition
by air dry weight
1993
7
2
8
4
34
44
0
0
0
1996
13
8
14
1
22
41
0
0
2
minimum of 300 lb per acre of desirable plant species on
treated sites within five years". The data indicate this standard is far below the potential for at least the cool exposure.
However, duration of high production is yet to be determined.
Evaluation and Management
Implications for Different Species _
Shrubs-The only shrubs found on the study sites were
big sagebrush and rubber rabbitbrush. Shrubs were found
only on the cool exposure and were of low frequency in all
years samples were taken. Line intercept data showed
rubber rabbitbrush increased from 0.3 percent crown cover
to 0.8 percent from 1989 to 1996 while big sagebrush increased from 0 to 1.8 percent.
Additional monitoring over time will be needed to track
the dynamics of shrubs, but this slight change indicates they
will increase in time. Morphology and browsing preference
by wild ungulates indicate both the seeded mountain big
sagebrush and indigenous basin big sagebrush (Artemisia
tridentata N utt. tridentata2 established after the fire. Mountain big sagebrush was closely hedged, while apparent
plants of basin big sagebrush were hedged lightly or not at
all.
Crested wheat grass-Crested wheatgrass increased
significantly from 1991 to 1996 on the warm exposure and
decreased significantly from 1989 to 1996 on the cool exposure. By 1996 it was the most frequent species on the warm
exposure and third most frequent species on the cool exposure. This species demonstrated high value for control of
cheatgrass by rapid establishment and increase over time on
the warm exposure. The decrease over time on the cool
exposure indicates it is less competitive there. It also indicates it might be quite compatible with native bluebunch
wheatgrass on cool exposures. Considering the portion of the
seed mix in pounds as well as number of seeds, this species
demonstrated comparatively high economic performance as
well as ecological performance. Low amounts of crested
wheatgrass in seed mixes for this area are indicated by low
cost and high value for cheatgrass control. Davis and Harper
(1990) documented an increase in crested wheatgrass in the
third year following seeding in a juniper-pinyon chaining in
USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-9. 1999
central Utah. Their data indicated much lower establishment of crested wheatgrass than found at Jarvies·Canyon.
Intermediate wheatgrass-Frequency of intermediate
wheatgrass remained low through 1996 on both exposures
where it decreased with time. This seems unexpected by
comparison ofnearby seedings where this species was seeded
alone or as the major part of a seed mix where it rather
quickly established solid stands. Performance in this seeding might indicate this is not so competitive when seeded in
a mix. However, Davis and Harper (1990) documented
results of seeding a mix in central Utah where intermediate
wheatgrass was the most abundant seeded species. They
also reported precipitation well above normal was concurrent with seedling establishment. The variable response of
this species demonstrates the value of a diverse seed mix
since it is unknown which species will do well in different
seedings. This species often seems to establish in great
abundance and become oppressively dominant or with low
frequency following seeding. This "all or nothing" response
in seedings indicates low desirability for this plant where
diverse communities are desired. In the Jarvies Canyon
seeding, seed of this species could have been replaced with
that of bluebunch wheatgrass without putting watershed
protection or cheatgrass control at risk.
Lincoln smooth brome-On the warm exposure, frequency of this species remained the same between the 5th
and the 10th year post treatment. However, it increased
dramatically on the cool exposure. The relatively low response of smooth brome on the warm exposure indicates low
value for cheatgrass control. Compared to crested wheatgrass, hard fescue, and alfalfa, smooth brome was of low
value for this purpose. It was slow starting on the cool
exposure, which indicates low value for initial weed control
there. It is also indicated to have comparatively low val ue for
watershed protection in the critical, early years.
The data imply this species is trending toward dominance
of the herbaceous community on the cool exposure, and
perhaps it will drive community diversity downward. Although an increase in production of this species was measured between 1989 and 1996, production studies on the cool
exposure indicate this will be a relatively low producing
species at this site. Ladak alfalfa and hard fescue have
produced considerable more herbage and thus litter for
ground cover than has smooth brome in each of the 4 years
production measurements have been made at the site since
the fire.
The rhizomatous nature of smooth brome and intermediate wheatgrass is one value these plants provide that the
other species do not. However, smooth brome showed comparatively little value for cheatgrass control and watershed
protection in the critical early years, and it has an implied
feature of driving community diversity downward.
Grea ter weigh t of seed ofthis species was a pplied than any
another. Although numbers of seed applied might be a valid
way to compare ecological performance, cost of seed is
measured in terms of weight, not numbers of seed. This
indicates poor economic performance in the early years of
the seeding when cheatgrass control and soil protection are
most critical. Data over the next decade might show the
increase in frequency ofthis species is concurrent with lower
USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-9. 1999
production on the site. Its value for seeding in this setting
appears to be low.
The native bluebunch wheatgrass does well on the cool
exposures of this landtype. Although this species is not
rhizomatous or is weakly rhizomatous compared to smooth
brome, it is indicated to have high watershed values on
similar nearby sites. Replacing smooth brome seed with that
of bluebunch wheatgrass in seed mixes for this area is
recommended.
Piute orchard grass-Orchard grass showed essentially
no value for cheatgrass control on the warm exposure.
However, its quick establishment on the cool exposure
followed by a significant decrease indicates high value there
for initial weed control and for allowing other species to
establish over time. Both frequency and production values
indicate this is less aggressive over time than is smooth
brome. Considering long-term diversity and greater presence of natives in the community, orchardgrass seems more
appropriate in seed mixes for this area than does smooth
brome.
Hard fescue-This was the only seeded species that
increased on both the cool and warm exposures. However, it
established with much higher frequency on the cool exposure. On the cool exposure this was the highest producing
grass in 3 out of 4 years when production measurements
were made. This appears to be an aggressive plant at these
sites with the potential to drive communities to a lower
diversity. Continued monitoring at this site is needed to
evaluate the use of this species in future seedings. If it
continues to increase concurrent with a decrease in other
desired species, exclusion or much lower rates in the seed
mix is indicated for future seedings. However, its increase on
the warm exposure indicates high value for long-term control of cheatgrass. It remains green late in the fall and early
winter when it is selected by elk (Cervis canadensis) and
possibly by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).
Ladak alfalfa-This established quickly on both exposures. However, production data from the cool exposure
indicate it is slower to mature into full production than some
of the seeded grasses. However, it established with greater
frequency on the warm exposure than on the cool exposure,
which was not a feature of any of the seeded grasses, and by
1991 this was the most frequent species on the warm
exposure. This indicates high value for reducing cheatgrass.
Frequency of this species remained the same on the cool
exposure but declined on the warm exposure. Frequency
data indicate this species will not increase beyond the level
of initial establishment. This indicates it will not become
oppressive to other species, and that it will contribute to
species diversity. Davis and Harper (1990) found Ladak
alfalfa decreased in frequency in the second and third years
after seeding, which indicates possible high establishment
but also considerable mortality of seedlings and young
plants.
After 1989, Ladak alfalfa produced more herbage than did
any other species on the cool exposure. Ungulate use has
been light, but alfalfa appears to be the most selected forage
species by elk and mule deer at this site. Also, Smith (1992)
recorded alfalfa to be highly selected by bighorn sheep (Ovis
canadensis) within the Green River corridor. The potential
349
of alfalfa for nitrogen fixation is an additional value of this
plant. However, cheatgrass as well as other grasses can
respond favorably to increased nitrogen. This feature implies a critical need to include aggressive perennial grasses
with alfalfa in seed mixes to be used in areas where cheatgrass
is highly competitive. Most features of this plant indicate
high value for including it in seed mixes for the pinyonjuniper belt of the Green River corridor.
Yellow sweetclover-Although yellow sweet clover established from the seeding and put on a great show of tall
plants in the first two to three growing seasons, it was not
recorded in the plots by 1989, nor was it seen anywhere in the
burn in that year. The flush of yellow sweetclover in the
second growing season was great enough to be of concern to
wildlife biologists who desired low stature of vegetation for
high value bighorn sheep habitat. However, from 1989 to
1997, it was not seen anywhere in the burned area. In this
setting, yellow sweet clover is indicated to be of value for
quick establishment of cover with a rapid decline that will
allow other species to replace it. Yellow sweetclover is often
considered a highly invasive species. This has not been the
nature of the plant in the general area of this study where its
abundance and persistence are quite limited to roadsides
and other frequently disturbed sites.
Small burnet-Small burnet was recorded at low frequency on the warm exposure in 1991. By 1996 it was not
seen in the plots. It was not recorded in the plots on the cool
exposure in 1989 or 1996. The performance of small burnet
indicates value of this species is for quick establishment and
rapid decline, which could allow for establishment of natives. However, comparison of its relatively high percent of
weight of the seed mix with its relatively low performance
indicates low economic value for this species when applied in
a heavy seed mix (15Ib/acre) composed of highly competitive
species. However, the number of seeds of this species was
lower than any other in the mix, and the low performance is
also likely a function offewer seeds. It also seems important
to note that no measurements were made until 5 years after
treatment, and like yellow sweetclover, small burnet might
have been abundant for 2 to 3 years. Davis and Harper
(1990) recorded high establishment of small burnet in the
first 3 years of a seeding in central Utah. Measurements in
the fifth year might not reflect the early value of this plant
in the seeding. Use of this plant in fire rehabilitation projects
has been criticized on grounds that its value is for wildlife
and not for rehabilitation. However, the nature of this plant
to quickly establish and provide cover and then allow for
increase of natives as it decreases indicates it is highly
desirable for fire rehabilitation projects.
Japanese chess-oJ apanese chess increased on the warm
exposure, but the increase was much less than for cheatgrass.
It was found with low frequency in 1989 on the cool exposure,
and it was not found there in 1996. Compared to cheatgrass,
this introduced annual appears to be a mild competitor in
the pinyon-juniper belt. Much focus on cheatgrass in literature with comparatively little coverage for this species
indicates this is a general nature of this species.
Cheatgrass-Cheatgrass was not found in the plots on
the cool exposure, but it increased significantly on the warm
exposure. Frequency of cheatgrass on the warm exposure
350
between the fifth and 10th years might be considered a
negative indicator. However, the frequency of this winter
annual can be expected to vary from year to year with
variations in timing and amount of precipitation as well as
winter-spring temperatures. Also, high frequency can be
achieve by numerous, small, single-stemmed plants with
few seeds. Where this growth form is a function of high
frequency of vigorous perennial plants, cheatgrass is indicated to have a much subdued effect on plant community
function. This was the common growth form of cheatgrass in
the seeding.
However, the frequency data do indicate the ability of
cheatgrass to persist even where perennial plants command
most of the resources of a site even in the absence of
livestock. Also indicated is the rapid increase in cheatgrass
following the next disturbance. Also indicated is the potential increase of cheatgrass under management practices
that reduce frequency or vigor of perennial plants.
Discussion ----------------------------The various response of species in the mix indicates the
importance of seeding a mixture of species on lands of
diverse exposures. Species diversity in the early seral community was a function of the number of species included in
the seed mix. Diversity of early seral communities that
follow disturbance of closed stands of mature or old pinyonjuniper can be expected to be low and to be driven by
cheatgrass and other weedy species, many of which are
introduced. These features of pinyon-juniper communities
strongly point to the need to develop a wide array of plant
materials with the potential to compete with cheatgrass on
a variety of exposures and many geological substrates and
soil types. Concerns for diversity and native species indicate
the need for development of native plant materials with the
ability to establish quickly to reduce the influence of introduced, highly invasive species.
No species or mix of species is likely to elimina te cheatgrass
on warm exposures, and reduction ofits influence is a more
realistic goal than eradication. Evidence is strong and growing that cheatgrass has altered many pinyon-j uni per ecosystems to the degree that pure native plant communities are
no longer a potential. The introduced species seeded at these
sites represent some of the most capable plants known to be
able to establish stands rapidly from a single seeding, which
is important for cheatgrass control. Crested wheatgrass,
alfalfa, and hard fescue, represent plant materials as capable or more capable of controlling cheatgrass in the pinyon-juniper belt than native grasses and forbs ofthis belt. To
expect native species to provide better and especially complete control appears to be beyond reason.
The performance of Ladak alfalfa, crested wheatgrass,
and hard fescue on the warm exposure demonstrates their
value in seed mixes where suppression of cheatgrass is a
goal. At this elevation and precipitation zone, smooth brome
and orchard grass are indicated to be of less value for this
purpose. It appears that neither smooth brome or intermediate wheatgrass (rhizomatous species) were needed for
watershed protection or cheatgrass control. Seed of these
species could have been replaced by seed of bluebunch
wheatgrass without loosing ability of the seed mix to establish effective ground cover and provide cheatgrass control.
USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-9. 1999
References ____________________
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invasion, shrub die-off, and other aspects of shrub biology and
management; 1989 April 5-7; Las Vegas, NV. Gen. Tech. Rep.
INT-276. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
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McNab, W. H.; Avers, P. E.1994. Ecological subregions of the United
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