The food value of fringed sagebush varies according to phenological development and perhaps ecotype as well. The low-growing fringed sagebrush has minimal cover value for larger wildlife species, but it does provide some cover for smaller birds and mammals. Good establishment of fringed sagebrush has been achieved through this method. Seedling establishment varies in different years, depending on seed production. Fringed sagebrush can also be propagated vegetatively.
Fringed sagebrush is potentially valuable as a biogeochemical indicator of mineral deposits.
Generally, both the number and intensity of the anomolies are related to the amount of mineralization. Fringed sagebrush may be valuable as a biogeochemical indicator both because of its tendency to accumulate anomalous amounts of a number of elements and because of its extremely wide distribution. In the northern Great Plains, fringed sagebrush increased rapidly during the first 10 years after heavy grazing and then decreased during the next 15 years. Although little evidence is available, fringed sagebrush may respond somewhat differently to sheep utilization. Although populations of fringed sagebrush often increase following heavy grazing, individual plants may be harmed.