Information on vegetative productivity and nutritive responses to burn
ing in mesic, high elevation big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.
) communities is limited. We investigated the effects of 2 wildfires a
nd 3 prescribed fires on current year's production of herbs and select
ed shrubs for 3 years post-burn, and forage quality for 2 years post-b
urn in high elevation big sagebrush habitats in southcentral Wyoming.
Production of perennial herbs on burned sites averaged twice that on c
ontrols, while production of annual herbs varied little 2-3 years post
-burn. Burn-induced mortality of Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier a
lnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex Roem.) was less-than-or-equal-to 15%, but a
6-fold increase in twig production more than compensated for plant los
ses. Mortality of true mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus Raf.) a
nd antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC) averaged 25% a
nd 55%, respectively, but these losses generally were compensated by i
ncreases in browse production. Crude protein content of herbs from lat
e spring through early fall was significantly higher on burns for 2 ye
ars post-burn. These results suggest well-managed prescribed burning p
rograms have potential to improve May through September diets of large
herbivores in southcentral Wyoming mountain-shrub communities.