"Sagebrush Sea" Habitat Loss

The “Sagebrush Sea” is the name for sagebrush habitat that spreads over 6 states and is home to over 350 wildlife species, including Sage-grouse. Once at 247 million acres but now half its original size, the Sagebrush habitat in North America is rapidly decreasing largely due to the huge spread of invasive species and the influence that has on the increase of wildfires. 

1.) Central Nevada Sagebrush | USGS / 2.) Sagebrush in Winter | BLM

Invasive grasses like Cheatgrass provide easy spread of fire because they dry out much faster than native grasses so when the hot summer season comes along there is already plenty of tinder for wildfires to flourish on. To add on, the environment after a fire is perfect for many of these invasive grasses to establish themselves again. Therefore, as if causing the decimation of the native habitat wasn’t enough, the invasive grasses establish an even larger population while the sagebrush struggles to regenerate as it is not adapted to the new intensity or frequency of fires. To Nevada, the nation's driest state, this increasing level of wildfires is especially impactful causing environmental and economic damage. 

The Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada Native Seed Partnership, Bureau of Land Management, Partners in the Sage, and other organizations are involved in initiatives, conservation frameworks, and other projects to help restore sagebrush habitat. Contact us for more information on what is being done to help and look out for future volunteer opportunities!

Sources

• Invasive Species & BLM Fire | BLM

• Natural Resources & Public Lands: How They Affect Nevada | NACO

• Rethinking the focus on forest fires in federal wildland fire management: Landscape patterns and trends of non-forest and forest burned area. | Michele R. Crist (Journal of Environmental Management)

• Nevada Native Seed Partnership | USFWS