Horse grazing in the spring increased winter browse for mule deer in Northern Utah. Horses removed about 50% of the herbaceous biomass, while deer used slightly more than 50% of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), but only 10% of rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus albicaulis). The decline in the number of surviving big sagebrush plants was different between treatments (horses only, deer only, combined, control); with the largest mortality of 3-year old sagebrush plants occurring in the combined grazing treatment. Percent bare ground was lowest in the control and deer treatments compared to horses and deer combined. Percent annuals were highest in the deer treatment compared to the combined. Rubber rabbitbrush remained unaffected by treatments variables.
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