Plant cover and density and sagebrush growth in Idaho roadsides treated with herbicides and bioherbicides

Proliferation of cheatgrass and other exotic annual grasses such as medusahead and ventenata are a major environmental concern and operational problem for roadsides in Idaho. These annual grasses are highly flammable and they shorten fire-return intervals. Flammable vegetation is particularly hazardous in roadsides because of proximity to a ready source of ignition, and fires that start on roadsides can spread into adjacent public lands and urban communities with sprawling home development, causing extensive and expensive damage and degradation to wildlife habitat, rangelands, private or public property, utilities, etc. Thus, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has a strong interest in preventing roadside vegetation from becoming [...]