Abstract
Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & Rusby) is a native sub-shrub that is widely distributed on rangelands of western North America. It often increases to near monocultures following disturbance from overgrazing, fire or drought. Propagation is usually pulse driven in wet years, allowing large expanses of even-aged stands to establish and dominate plant communities. It can maintain dominance following fire, or can co-dominate with cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) on degraded sagebrush rangelands. State-and-transition models show that competitive grasses in the respective plant communities can prevent snakeweed dominance.
Recommended Citation
Ralphs, Michael H.
(2011)
"Broom Snakeweed Increase and Dominance in Big Sagebrush Communities,"
Natural Resources and Environmental Issues: Vol. 17, Article 8.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/nrei/vol17/iss1/8
