How strategic chemical control transforms infiltration rates and reduces sediment production in fragile arid landscapes
Imagine a vast, silver-green landscape stretching to the horizon—the iconic sagebrush steppe of the American West. This unique ecosystem, dominated by the fragrant sagebrush plant, supports everything from herds of pronghorn antelope to critical water resources.
When sagebrush becomes too dense, it can actually harm the ecosystem it once supported. The bare ground between shrubs becomes vulnerable to erosion from wind and rain.
Reduced water infiltration leads to more runoff, which carries precious topsoil into waterways and reduces available water for plants, animals, and human communities 3 .
Sagebrush management represents a nuanced approach to ecosystem stewardship. While sagebrush provides essential habitat for species like the greater sage-grouse, excessive dominance can create ecological problems.
Chemical control involves carefully timed application of selective herbicides that target broadleaf plants while leaving grasses unaffected.
Fall or early spring applications when sagebrush is actively growing but grasses are dormant
Herbicides break down quickly, reducing long-term impacts while achieving vegetation adjustment 3
Researchers conducted a two-year study in central New Mexico comparing treated and untreated plots using sophisticated measurement techniques:
Essential materials and methods used in sagebrush management research
Targets broadleaf plants like sagebrush while minimizing harm to grasses
Applies consistent water amounts to measure infiltration under controlled conditions
Collects soil particles in runoff to quantify erosion rates
Standardized frames for measuring plant coverage and diversity
Extracts undisturbed soil columns to analyze structure and composition
The research on sagebrush management takes on added urgency in the context of climate change. Studies project that warming temperatures will amplify existing threats to sagebrush ecosystems, particularly in hotter, drier regions like much of New Mexico 6 .
What we're seeing is a double threat—more intense wildfires that destroy sagebrush ecosystems, combined with conditions that favor invasive species. This makes proactive management increasingly important.
The future of sagebrush ecosystems will depend on adaptive management approaches that can respond to changing conditions. This means viewing management not as a one-time solution but as an ongoing process of observation, adjustment, and learning.
Through continued research and adaptive management, we're learning to work with nature's rhythms rather than against them, creating hope for the future of the iconic sagebrush sea and all who depend on it.
The compelling story emerging from the research is that science-guided sagebrush management offers a pathway to healthier, more resilient ecosystems in New Mexico 3 6 .