Conifer encroachment may be facilitated by increases in global carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, and climate change, but the influence of CO2 has not been supported by some research (Archer et al. 1995).

Areas of uncertainty include the effects of climate change and renewable energy development, the lack of robust information on population connectivity, the relationship between specific habitat characteristics and demographic parameters, and the lack of understanding of the processes necessary to restore sagebrush communities (Knick et al. 2003).

The effect of climate change on the amount and distribution of future habitat is largely unknown.

We did not identify objectives for addressing the potential impacts of climate change due to the uncertainties associated with modeling the resulting future condition and distribution of sage-brush habitats.

Threat Reduction ..................................................................................................................................... 38
Fire ...................................................................................................................................................... 40
Non-native, Invasive Plant Species ..................................................................................................... 42
Energy Development .......................................................................................................................... 43
Sagebrush Removal ............................................................................................................................ 44
Grazing ................................................................................................................................................ 44
Range Management Structures ........................................................................................................... 46
Free-Roaming Equid Management ..................................................................................................... 46
Pinyon-juniper Expansion ................................................................................................................... 47
Agricultural Conversion ...................................................................................................................... 48
Mining ................................................................................................................................................. 49
Recreation ........................................................................................................................................... 49
Ex-Urban Development ...................................................................................................................... 50
Infrastructure ....................................................................................................................................... 51
Fences ................................................................................................................................................. 52