Voles Can Improve Sagebrush Rangelands

Abstract

During cyclic population peaks, voles kill and damage sagebrush and other shrub species over large areas. Damage is greatest when a dense, ungrazed herbaceous understory exists and when the snowpack persists throughout the winter. If peaks in population could be predicted, grazing should be managed to leave all possible herbaceous cover on areas where killing of brush is desired; conversely, grazing by cattle should be heavy where perpetuation of shrubs is preferred.