‘‘Silver Sagebrush Community Associations in Southeastern Alberta, Canada.’’ Rangeland Ecology & Management 58:400–405
Abstract
Understanding the distribution and abundance of habitat and resources is an important issue in wildlife conser- vation and will advance understanding of wildlife habitat relationships (Morrison 2001). Jones et al. (2005) developed a vital habitat layer, describing the distribution of silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana Pursh) in southeastern Al- berta, Canada, and identifying relationships between sagebrush characteristics and physiographic parameters. This paper adds greatly to our understanding of poorly-studied silver sagebrush communities and as Jones et al. (2005) point out, this is an important first step in developing management plans for sage- grouse (Centrocercus spp.) recovery. This product has recently been used to understand sage-grouse habitat relationships, linking habitat to the viability of the endangered Alberta greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population (Aldridge 2005).