Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1)Improve our understanding of the functioning of arid rangeland, riparian, and meadow ecosystems in the northern Great Basin, and 2) Provide applied information that can be used to develop restoration strategies and herbage/livestock management systems for the northern Great Basin. Sub-objective: Evaluate the interactions between livestock grazing, sage grouse habitat, and rangeland restoration practices to develop sustainable, science-based management systems that conserve multiple resource values including livestock grazing. Approach (from AD-416) The mission of the Burns unit is to develop agricultural and natural resource strategies that benefit the people and ecosystems of the northern Great Basin. This five-year plan builds on a rich history of research at this location, in some cases reaching back to the 1940's. The unit provides information that is used by ranchers and other private landowners, state and federal land managers, policymakers, and the interested public. The first broad objective is to improve our basic understanding of rangeland, riparian, and meadow ecosystems in the northern Great Basin. Within this objective is an emphasis on issues that are of interest to both land managers and policymakers - juniper encroachment, prescribed fire, native seed production, productivity, and CO2 sequestration. The CO2 work is part of a 10 location network that was initiated in 1993. The second broad objective is to provide applied information that can be used to develop restoration strategies and forage/livestock management systems for the northern Great Basin. Within this objective is research on grazing behavior and methods to improve grazing distribution on Great Basin rangeland, methods of improving yield and quality of flood meadows, revegetation strategies, and growth of riparian vegetation under different grazing regimes. Most ranches in the Great Basin consist of both extensively managed private and public sagebrush rangeland and intensively managed hay meadows. The unit is co- located with Oregon State University and has historically cooperated with other ARS units. Formerly 5360-11630-004-00D (8/02). FY03 Program Increase $335,307. Add 1 SY. FY06 Program Increase $162,000. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Burns/Hines School District. This work consists of projects subordinate to the parent CRIS 5360-11630- 005-00D. A manuscript has been written and submitted to a scientific journal for the part of the effort that deals with the effects of flood irrigationon meadow hydrology, in-stream temperature, and seasonal flow patterns. We collected and are currently analyzing a second year of data for a project which documents the impacts of timing of livestock grazing on below ground production in sedge-dominated ripariant plant communities. This project will provide useful data in determining grazing prescriptions that minimize grazing impacts on root production. Sedge roots paly a vital role preserving bank integrity of riparian systems during high flow events. Accomplishments 1) Revegetating Russian knapweed-infested pastures Highly degraded pastures and rangeland dominated by Russian knapweed are often devoid of desirable plants, therefore methods for establishing desirable, competitive plants are essential for enduring management of Russian knapweed infestations. Shallow tilling as a seedbed preparation followed by drill seeding desirable species, especially forbs, may provide the best results for those revegetating Russian knapweed-infested pastures and rangeland. Research conducted by ARS scientists in Burns, OR provided information about appropriate and effective methods for revegetating the 500,000 hectares of Russian knapweed-infested range and pastureland in the western U.S. Research will help develop restoration strategies and management of rangelands in the Northern Great Basin. Component I.E. Managing Degraded Systems 2) Medusahead outperforms squirreltail through interference and growth rate Medusahead is an invasive annual grass that currently occupies nearly 2 million hectares in the Great Basin; understanding the mechanisms and processes fostering its invasion and dominance is central to its management. ARS in Burns, OR found that medusahead typically imposed a two to seven times stronger influence than squirreltail on plant-plant interactions and accumulated biomass, leaf area, and root length twice as fast as squirreltail. This study suggested that to restore squirreltail to medusahead-infested rangeland, medusahead densities should be reduced with integrated weed management strategies and emphasizes the importance of prevention and early detection and eradication programs. Component I. E. Managing Degraded Systems 3) Seasonal grazing distributions influenced by nutrient concentrations Poor livestock distribution patterns are a persistent issue in extensive rangeland pastures, and causative mechanisms are not well understood. Extensive forage sampling and GPS collared cattle verified hypotheses that cow/calf pairs most frequently forage in the nutritionally superior portions of pastures. Cattle grazed areas with higher concentrations of crude protein, and forage digestibility, and lower amounts of neutral detergent fiber and standing crop than surrounding terrain. These findings by ARS-Burns, OR help explain some of the seasonal concentrations of stock on rangelands, their seasonal shifts in distribution, and responses to management activities such as prescribed burns. Component IV. C. Management, Behavior, and Production of Grazing Livestock 4) Grass seedling establishment Much money is spent each year in attempts to reestablish native species on disturbed or weed-infested rangelands, but success has been poor. By following the populations dynamics of planted seeds, ARS scientists in Burns, OR demonstrated that the germination stage of commonly seeded grasses exceeded 70% but only about 5% of the germinated seeds established. This research indicates that advancements in restoration likely will depend on a better understanding of the specific post- germination environmental conditions required to get successful seedling establishment. Component I. E. Managing Degraded Systems 5) Functional groups and invasion Reducing the potential for invasion of undesirable species can be more cost-effective than controlling the species after invasion. ARS scientists in Burns, OR demonstrated that plant communities with greater functional group diversity sequester more nitrogen; however, we also showed that invasive annual grasses captured nitrogen at a higher rate and with greater efficiency in early spring compared to the dominant native plants. This indicates that these invaders largely avoid competition with established natives. There is a strong trend toward exclusively using native species in restoration of public land. These findings suggest using introduced desirable species that can sequester N early in the growing season may be a critical practice for reducing the spread of invasive annuals. Component I. E. Managing Degraded Systems 6) Soil carbon and precipitation timing Shifts in precipitation patterns with global climate change are predicted to have major impacts on arid and semi-arid range systems. Research to date has focused on the plant community with very little known about the impact of altered precipitation timing on soil processes. ARS-Burns, OR demonstrated that as precipitation timing shifts from winter to spring in cold desert rangelands carbon inputs from plant material decreases and decomposition of plant material by microbes increases, resulting in up to a 14% loss of carbon from rangeland soils. Understanding how precipitation patterns influence the ability of soil to store carbon is a critical step in allowing scientists to understand the interacting effects of climate change on global carbon cycles and budgets. Component I. A. Ecosystem Processes 7) Fire/Grazing interactions There is a lack of basic information of fire-grazing interactions in the sagebrush steppe of the Great Basin which makes it difficult to develop appropriate post-fire management guidelines. ARS in Burns, Oregon evaluated plant community recovery after prescribed fire and the application of spring and summer grazing on sagebrush steppe. The results suggest that moderate grazing after fire did not limit recovery and productivity of herbaceous plants on sagebrush steppe when compare to burned areas that were not grazed. The study has provided a community level assessment of sagebrush steppe response to fire and grazing which will significantly improve a managers ability to develop post fire grazing prescriptions in the Great Basin. This research addresses NP 205, Rangeland Pasture and Forages. Component IV. B. Grazing Impacts on Ecosystems Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Many of our studies are useful to small farms and ranches. Technology Transfer Number of Web Sites managed: 1 Number of Non-Peer Reviewed Presentations and Proceedings: 20 Number of Newspaper Articles,Presentations for NonScience Audiences: 26
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Pokorny, M.L., Mangold, J.M. 2007. Evaluating the success of Montana's Dyer's Woad (Isatis tinctoria) cooperative eradication project. Weed Technology 21:262-269.
- Ganskopp, D.C., Aguilera, L., Vavra, M. 2007. Livestock forage conditioning among 6 northern great basin grasses. Rangeland Ecology & Management 60(1):71-78.
- Davies, K.W., Bates, J.D., Miller, R.F. 2007. The influence of artemisia tridenata ssp. wyomingensis on microsite and vegetation heterogeneity. Journal of Arid Environments. 69(2007):441-457.
- Boyd, C.S., Hopkins, K.T., Svejcar, A.J. 2006. A photo-based monitoring technique for willow communities. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34(4):1049- 1054.
- Gilmanov, T.G., Svejcar, A.J., Johnson, D.A., Angell, R.F., Saliendra, N.Z. , Wylie, B.K. 2006. Production, respiration, and net co2 exchange in two sagebrush-steppe ecosystems. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 59(6):585- 599.
- Mangold, J.M., Sheley, R.L., Engel, R. 2006. Can r*s predict invasion in semi-arid grasslands. Biological Invasions 8:1343-1354.
- Mangold, J.M., Poulsen, C.L., Carpinelli, M.F. 2007. Revegetating Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) infestations using morphologically diverse species and seedbed preparation. Rangeland Ecology and Management 60(4) :378-385.
|
Progress 09/10/02 to 09/09/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) 1)Improve our understanding of the functioning of arid rangeland, riparian, and meadow ecosystems in the northern Great Basin, and 2) Provide applied information that can be used to develop restoration strategies and herbage/livestock management systems for the northern Great Basin. Sub-objective: Evaluate the interactions between livestock grazing, sage grouse habitat, and rangeland restoration practices to develop sustainable, science-based management systems that conserve multiple resource values including livestock grazing. Approach (from AD-416) The mission of the Burns unit is to develop agricultural and natural resource strategies that benefit the people and ecosystems of the northern Great Basin. This five-year plan builds on a rich history of research at this location, in some cases reaching back to the 1940's. The unit provides information that is used by ranchers and other private landowners, state and federal land managers, policymakers, and the interested public. The first broad objective is to improve our basic understanding of rangeland, riparian, and meadow ecosystems in the northern Great Basin. Within this objective is an emphasis on issues that are of interest to both land managers and policymakers - juniper encroachment, prescribed fire, native seed production, productivity, and CO2 sequestration. The CO2 work is part of a 10 location network that was initiated in 1993. The second broad objective is to provide applied information that can be used to develop restoration strategies and forage/livestock management systems for the northern Great Basin. Within this objective is research on grazing behavior and methods to improve grazing distribution on Great Basin rangeland, methods of improving yield and quality of flood meadows, revegetation strategies, and growth of riparian vegetation under different grazing regimes. Most ranches in the Great Basin consist of both extensively managed private and public sagebrush rangeland and intensively managed hay meadows. The unit is co- located with Oregon State University and has historically cooperated with other ARS units. Formerly 5360-11630-004-00D (8/02). FY03 Program Increase $335,307. Add 1 SY. FY06 Program Increase $162,000. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Data analysis, manuscript preparation and submission to scientific journals was completed for all sub-objectives (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, and 2. 3) except 2.2. This is the final report for this project Plan and all of the current research has been shifted to a new Project Plan. NP 215, component 1.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Rangelands in the northern Great Basin are important for livestock production, which provides the critical economic basis for many rural communities. The highly variable climate, low rangeland productivity, and seasonally poor forage quality can limit the economic potential for western livestock operations. These rangelands are also important as wildlife habitat, watersheds, and open space. Increasing environmental and recreational concerns are placing additional constraints and demands on livestock producers and land management agencies. Our task is to develop improved management schemes and knowledge required: a) for livestock producers to maintain their economic viability and b) producers and land managers (public and private) to make appropriate decisions for enhancing or
preserving rangeland ecosystems in the northern Great Basin. Beef cattle are one of the largest agricultural commodities in the western United States, providing the economic basis for the majority of rural communities. Grazing restrictions and increasing regulations (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act) have greatly impacted many livestock operations and, in some cases, entire communities. Improved management alternatives are needed immediately by public and private land managers in order to sustain local economies and provide a quality environment. This project is part of ARS National Program 205 - Rangeland, Pasture, and Forages. 2. List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) Year 1 (FY 2003) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Complete baseline data collection and apply treatments. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Baseline measurements and application of treatments. Wyoming big
sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Site selection and data collection; report to BLM. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Site selections and field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fire on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Obtain and install equipment to measure CO2 flux and collect one season of pretreatment data. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Assess historic patterns of cattle dispersal and develop first nutritional map of pastures. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Select study sites for both fertilization and irrigation timing studies, (2) Apply the fertilization x grazing treatments and initiate data collection. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Complete annual report to
project cooperators. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Development and testing of waterproof camera housing, field technique validation, write image analysis protocol, construct exclosure cages. Year 2 (FY 2004) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Post-treatment measurements and start of grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Site selection and data collection; report to BLM. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fire on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Apply a prescribed burn at end of first year. Measure fluxes over burned and unburned plots. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning
on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Rest pastures and apply prescription burns. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Apply treatments to irrigation timing study and initiate data collection, (2) Continue fertilization x grazing treatments and data collection. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Finish collection of regrowth and environmental data and complete analysis. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Identify sample points, collect field data. Year 3 (FY 2005) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Continuation of post-treatment measurements and grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Data collection and analysis. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): (1) Continue
field collections; apply treatments in fall; preliminary data analysis and technical publication. (2) Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fire on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: Continue applying treatments and collecting data for both studies. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Prepare and submit manuscripts and final report to cooperators. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Identify sample points, collect field data. Year 4 (FY 2006) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control
strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Continuation of post-treatment measurements and grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Prepare and submit publications; Report to BLM. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fire on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Summarize data and begin writing papers for fertilization x grazing study, (2) Continue treatments and
data collection for irrigation timing study. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Completed. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Finalize photographic and environmental datasets. Year 5 (FY 2007) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; data analysis; prepare publications and submit. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Continuation of post-treatment measurements and grazing prescriptions; prepare publications. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Continue long-term site monitoring. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections; data analysis and publication preparation. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fire on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Finish data collection for third year, finish data analyses, and draft the manuscript for the study.
Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle and draft model. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Summarize data and begin writing papers for irrigation timing study, (2) Develop producer-oriented technology transfer publication on flood meadow management. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Completed. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Prepare and submit manuscripts. 4a List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. ARS scientists from Burns, Oregon worked on land owned by the Burns Paiute tribe to evaluate the impact of flood meadow irrigation on water temperature of a headwater stream. Many eastern Oregon streams are considered too warm to meet water temperature standards and
water diversion for flood irrigation has generated controversy. We found that flood irrigation during early summer helped buffer stream temperatures. Flood meadows are critical for grazing and hay production, and these results demonstrate the benefits of flood irrigation during early summer. This research falls under NP 205 - Component IV - Grazing Management: Livestock Production and the Environment. 4c List significant activities that support special target populations. Many of our studies are useful to small farms and ranches. 5. Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. This project was begun in September 2002. The major accomplishments over the life of the project listed below come from the previous project (Project Number 5360-11630-004-00D). Component I: Ecosystems and Their Sustainable Management Component IV: Grazing Management Livestock Production and the Environment Long-term CO2 flux measurements at 10 ARS rangeland research units
show that U.S. rangelands are a sink for atmospheric CO2. The information is important because rangelands comprise half of the earth's land area and about a third of U.S. land area. The study was conducted over a six-year period and across most of the major rangeland types found in the U.S. There is a known "missing sink" for atmospheric CO2 in North America, and these results may help identify a potential sink and improve future efforts to model large-scale carbon budgets. Component I c There is a lack of basic ecological information of the sagebrush steppe in the Great Basin which makes it difficult to develop management guidelines that are compatible for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat of threatened species such as sage grouse. Sagebrush cover and plant community composition on 107 excellent condition sites in the Wyoming big sagebrush alliance, the most extensive sagebrush type in the western United States, were measured over a two year period and compared to current
sage grouse habitat guidelines. The results demonstrate problems with current guidelines for managing arid sagebrush types, and provide realistic classifications and management guidelines. The study has provided managers with a realistic estimate of the ecological potentials of Wyoming big sagebrush alliance in the Great Basin. Component I c In a cooperative effort with Dr. Eugene Ungar (Israel) we successfully evaluated the inference of beef cattle activities (grazing, resting, walking) in extensive rangeland pastures using linear regression and regression tree analyses on motion sensor data acquired from GPS collars designed to integrate an animal's position at scheduled intervals. This information is needed so that researchers and livestock managers can evaluate resource use by grazing animals and quantify their responses to both animal and landscape management manipulations. Data were acquired from extensive pastures (2000+ acres) at the Northern Great Basin Experimental
Range, Burns, Oregon and at the Karei Deshe Experimental Range (eastern Galilee) from smaller rangeland paddocks (70+ acres). These determinations will allow researchers to assign specific activities to locations frequented by beef cattle to accurately describe both distribution patterns of stock and assess the impact those animals might affect upon visited areas in rangeland settings. Component IV c We completed research to determine if felled western juniper can be used as a source of artificial shade to decrease summer water temperature on streams not meeting water temperature standards for cold water fisheries. Excessive summer water temperature is the number one water quality impairment of small streams in the Intermountain region and our research suggests a proactive approach for ameliorating high summer water temperatures. We monitored stream temperature, willow herbivory, and fish behavior on a stream before and after covering the stream in sections with felled western
juniper (a by-product of upland plant community restoration). Our research suggests that covering a riparian area with felled juniper not only moderates water temperature, but decreases herbivory on stream-side willows, a potentially "long-term" source of stream shading; thus, our protocol could be used as a management alternative to riparian fencing in grazed systems, allowing for use of riparian forage resources with simultaneous reductions in water temperature and recovery of willow resources. Component 1 c Information on livestock grazing after juniper cutting is needed by land managers to make informed decisions in order to maximize herbaceous plant recovery. Early spring grazing following the cutting of juniper was assessed over a four-year period on Steens Mountain, Oregon. This grazing prescription was determined to have had no impact on recovery of existing herbaceous plant cover and density when comparing between grazed and ungrazed treatments; however, grazing was
detrimental to seed production on the cut-grazed treatment when compared to the ungrazed cut treatment which has the potential to limit site recovery. This research will assist managers in developing grazing prescriptions after treatment of juniper and provide an important foundation for generating additional grazing research in treated woodlands. Component IV b Burning of juniper trees and debris within the first several years after tree cutting has been assumed to be detrimental to survival of native perennials due to high heat loads and thus may enhance establishment of non-native annuals. Burning juniper debris under cool, wet conditions during the late winter/early spring season did not result in high losses of perennial bunchgrasses and forbs. Without reducing the sites recovery potential by preferred perennial plant species dormant season burning of juniper debris provides land mangers with (1) a management option for debris removal under controllable burning conditions,
(2) reduces fuel loads during safer burning conditions, and (3) increases access to forage species by wild and domestic herbivores. Results from this study have been used by public and private land managers in conducting winter prescribed burns in riparian areas of eastern Oregon. Component I d Concerns over water temperature regulations and cold-water fish habitat have increased the need for data concerning the impact of ag-related flood irrigation practices on in-stream water quality. These irrigation practices have the potential to impact both in-stream water temperature and discharge. At present we are comparing seasonal in-stream temperature and flow, and water table dynamics on a meadow system in years with and without irrigation. Data from this study will provide land managers with information needed to meet water quality management goals in flood-irrigated systems. Component I c Low order meadow streams in the western US often have summer water temperatures in excess
of mandated by state water quality standards. We are evaluating practice of covering portions of these streams with felled juniper to reduce incoming solar radiation and provide protection from herbivory for emerging willow plants. If allowed to grow to sufficient size, these willows may provide a source of long-term shading. We are also evaluating the preference of native red band trout for shaded and unshaded habitats using a passive integrated transponder system to document fish movement within the study area. Results from this study will provide base-line data to management agencies on the impact of this management practice on both in-stream water temperature and fish habitat quality. Component IV a Sage grouse are a wildlife species of management concern in most western states. One of the greatest potential impacts of livestock on sage- grouse habitat is the removal of residual bunchgrass cover used for nesting. Nest sites are typically located under sagebrush plants;
however, attainment of suggested stubble height guidelines is typically measured in the interspaces (i.e. between shrub plants). We are investigating the relationship of cattle grazing pressure in the interspaces to that under shrub plants in order to determine the level of grazing pressure at which cattle begin to impact sage-grouse nesting cover. Results from this study will provide base-line information necessary to develop grazing prescriptions which allow for use of rangeland by cattle, but minimize damage to sage grouse nesting habitat. Component IV b End-of-growing season herbaceous stubble height is an important consideration for managers of riparian areas grazed by livestock. This is particularly true within the context of public lands grazing, where stubble height standards are usually included in management plans and regulations. Informed development of stubble height guidelines involves knowledge of regrowth dynamics. We compared regrowth of herbaceous riparian
vegetation clipped at varying stubble heights and dates. Results from this study indicate that regrowth based on height decreased with clipping in the late-growing season (July) and clipping at or below a 2-inch stubble height, as compared with 4 and 6-inch clipping heights. Regrowth by weight was unaffected by clipping date but was positively correlated with clipping height. Component IV b Proper management of rangelands in the western U.S. requires detailed knowledge of environmental and managerial effects on the productivity of these important resources which provide many commodities, including watershed yield, livestock and wildlife forage, and wildlife habitat. State-of-the-art technology was employed to measure carbon dioxide uptake and release over burned and unburned native sagebrush rangelands at the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range near Burns, Oregon, thereby providing an integrated estimate of ecosystem function under each management scenario. We found that the
plant growth recovered to pre- burn levels in two years, and that burning altered the seasonal patter, with increased carbon uptake rates on burned areas during the peak growth period. This research, when completed, will provide important guidance for determining the suitability of prescribed fire as a management tool to maintain rangeland health and production, as well as expected response to prescribed fire. Component I c We have demonstrated the utility of using analysis of 35mm photographs for monitoring woody plant abundance. Regression equations were developed to determine biomass of sagebrush based on percent visual obstruction of a photo board. Visual obstruction estimates were made using computer-aided image analysis of 35mm photographs. We have developed a similar technology for estimating changes in willow biomass over time. These technologies will aid land managers in the difficult task of estimating woody plant production, and changes in woody plant abundance over
time, as well as providing a permanent record of vegetation status. Additionally, these methods are non-destructive and do not compromise the integrity of the sampled population. Component I a With conservative stocking rates in extensive rangeland pastures, valuable forages are wasted because cattle reluctantly graze upon grasses or in areas where cured grasses from previous growing seasons are still standing. In a cooperative study with Oregon State University scientists, beef cattle distribution was quantified with GPS collars in 2001 in pastures where one-half of each was conditioned by high intensity grazing in 2000, and the remaining half was rested. When cattle were grazing, they spent 30 percent of their time in the previously rested portions of pastures (supporting 1,197 pounds of forage per acre) and 70 percent of their time in conditioned portions where standing crop averaged 443 pounds of forage per acre. While these findings clearly indicate that patchy grazing
patterns or uneven distribution in rangeland pastures can be self perpetuating, ranchers and land management agencies can avoid wasted forage and obtain uniform use of grasses across the landscape by cattle if they use intensive grazing, fore, or mowing to remove old growth materials. Component IV c While movement of water and salt have long been used to influence the distribution of beef cattle in extensive rangeland pastures, the relative effectiveness of these two practices have not been established. Water and salting stations were moved about in extensive (2000+ acre) sagebrush/bunchgrass pastures and beef cattle distribution and grazing behavior were monitored with the aid of global positioning system collars on the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range near Burns, Oregon. This research demonstrated that grazing distribution can be influenced by water movement (cattle do not just walk further to water and then continue to graze the preferred areas); however, salt movement in
an effective tool for influencing grazing distribution. Ranchers can save the labor and other costs associated with salt movement, and focus more on water developments if their goal is to improve grazing distribution. Component IV c Prescribed fire is viewed by some policy makers as a source of atmospheric CO2 influx, but we have little information on the influence of fire on subsequent CO2 flux on rangeland. At the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range, Burns, Oregon, we quantified growing season CO2 fluxes on burned and unburned sagebrush steppe rangeland. Results from the first two years suggest that burning can enhance CO2 uptake by vegetation. This information provides new information on the role of prescribed fire in maintaining healthy and productive rangelands. Component I c It is commonly assumed that introduced annual grasses alter nutrient cycles when they displace native rangeland bunchgrasses, thus making revegetation with native species difficult. We compared
nitrogen cycling on annual cheatgrass-dominated and native bunchgrass-dominated rangeland in northeastern Oregon. The results showed very few differences in soil nitrogen or nitrogen availability between the introduced cheatgrass sites and those dominated by the native community. Our results suggest that the difficulty of revegetating cheatgrass-dominated rangeland is a direct result of cheatgrass competition rather than altered site characteristics. Component I d There is concern among both private and public land managers that aspen communities in the Great Basin are losing their vigor and being replaced by less desirable species. Ninety-one aspen stands in southeastern Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada were sampled for stand structure and vegetation composition. Over 75% of the aspen stands have been invaded by western juniper, and 70% of the stands have no young aspen. Removal of fire from these aspen communities has been detrimental to stand maintenance
and active management will be required to ensure the future health of these important plant communities. Component I c We demonstrated that western juniper encroachment can have major negative impacts on forage production, biodiversity, and erosion potential of a site. The results have been used to focus both public and private resources on juniper management in the six million acres influenced by western juniper. Published results of this research are regularly cited in Environmental Assessments prepared by the Bureau of Land Management, in grant proposals prepared by private landowners for watershed enhancement, and in public forums on rangeland management. Component I d Fertilization of flood meadows has been controversial, with some hay producers claiming a positive economic response while others consider it an economic loss. Research at Burns demonstrated that fertilization was not cost effective immediately after a drought, but does provide an economic benefit after several
consecutive wet years. Hay producers have used these results to design fertilization schedules that are both economically and environmentally sound. Component I c Climate models suggest that future climatic shifts in the Great Basin could increase the proportion of spring precipitation. Research showed that altering precipitation arrival patterns has significant effects on rangeland vegetation. Most precipitation on rangelands of the northern Great Basin falls in the winter and spring. Manipulating precipitation arrival to the late spring and summer resulted in higher levels of bare ground, reduced herbaceous biomass production, and a drastic reduction of perennial and annual forb growth and development. Wildlife, domestic livestock, and other organisms that depend on herbaceous plant production may be adversely affected by a spring moisture regime. A spring moisture pattern that leads to higher levels of bare soil may result in greater erosion, and increase chances of weed
invasions. Our results contrast with current scientific theory on this subject. Component I c Forage palatability studies demonstrated that cattle shift their forage preferences over the course of the growing season. Preferred plants in the spring may not be preferred in the fall. The results will aid in making recommendations for which forage species are best suited to the various seasons of grazing use. Component IV c Low order meadow streams in the western U.S. often have summer water temperatures in excess of that mandated by state water quality standards. We are evaluating the practice of covering portions of these streams with felled juniper to reduce incoming solar radiation and provide protection from herbivory for emerging willow plants. If allowed to grow to sufficient size, these willows may provide a source of long-term shading. We are also evaluating the preference of native red band trout for shaded and unshaded habitats using a passive integrated transponder system
to document fish movement within the study area. Results from this study suggest innovative ways to use a by product of upland plant community restoration (felled juniper) to decrease summer water temperature extremes. Component I c 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? To control juniper and restore shrub grassland and aspen woodland more cost effectively we developed combinations of partial cutting of juniper followed by prescribed fire. The partial cutting is done to increase the amount of cured surface fuels to carry prescribed fire through woodlands and remove remaining juniper. We determined that only 20-33% of the juniper trees need to be cut to successfully apply prescribed fire. This practice has been adopted by federal and
state land management agencies, and by private land owners in Oregon and Idaho for treating 1000's of acres of rangelands the past several years. Proposed juniper control programs will treat many additional acres over the next 10 years. We serve as technical advisor on the Senate Bill 1010 Water Quality committee and provide technical advice to the Southeastern Oregon Resource Advisory Council and the Governor's Committee on Management of Sage Grouse and Sagebrush Obligates. We serve as technical advisors to the local Watershed Council, Weed Board, Soil and Water Conservation District, and ODF&W Access and Habitat Board. Staff continuously provides information and recommendations on a wide variety of agricultural and natural resource issues to producers, resource managers, extension agents, environmental groups, and the public. Information requests primarily come from the Northwest and Intermountain regions of the United States (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California,
and Montana). We have assisted the Burns Paiute tribe in management of tribally owned lands in eastern Oregon. This involvement includes serving on an oversight management committee, direct interaction with tribal managers on specific problems related to livestock grazing management, development of vegetation monitoring procedures, participation in field tours, and development of cooperative research projects aimed at answering specific management questions. ARS staff also helped the tribe develop plans for a self-sustaining beef cattle enterprise. We continue to interact with both Burns and Crane High School FFA programs, providing input on curriculum and presentations on current research. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Restoring Native Diversity in Crested Wheatgrass Stands. Jane Mangold. Friends of Malheur National Wildlife
Refuge fall 2006 newsletter. Ecologically-based Invasive Plant Management Newsletter (electronic format). Three editions were placed on our website. We hosted the entire Burns/Hines School District 2nd grade for a half- day tour of the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. We hosted a field day for the Pacific Northwest Section of the Society for Range Management.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Bates, J.D., Svejcar, A.J., Miller, R.F. 2005. Precipitation timing effects to nitrogen mineralization in the sagebrush steppe [abstract]. ASA- CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts.
- Ganskopp, D.C., Svejcar, A.J., Taylor, F., Farstvedt, J. 2006. Will spring cattle grazing among young bitterbrush enhance shrub growth?. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. SR1057:64-65.
- Ganskopp, D.C., Bohnert, D.W. 2006. The nutritional dynamics of our major rangeland grasses. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. SR1057:46- 47.
- Ganskopp, D.C., Bohnert, D. 2006. Mineral concentration patterns among our major rangeland grasses. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. SR1057:43-45.
- Ganskopp, D.C. 2006. Altering beef cattle distribution within rangeland pastures with salt and water. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. SR1057:61-63.
- Ganskopp, D.C., Bohnert, D. 2006. Do Pasture Scale Nutritional Patterns Affect Cattle Distribution on Rangelands. Journal of Range Management. 59(2):189-196.
- James, J.J., Richards, J.H. 2006. Plant n capture in pulse driven systems: interactions between root responses and soil processes. Journal of Ecology. 94:765-777.
- James, J.J., Alder, N.N., Muhling, K.H., Lauchli, A.E., Shackel, L.A., Donovan, L.A., Richards, J.H. 2005. High apoplastic solute concentrations in leaves alter water relations of the halophytic shrub, sarcobatus vermiculatus. Journal of Experimental Botany. 57(1):139-147.
- O'Dell, R.E., James, J.J., Richards, J.A. 2006. Congeneric serpentine and nonserpentine shrubs differ more in leaf ca:mg than in tolerance of low n, low p, or heavy metals. Plant and Soil Journal. 280:49-64.
- James, J.J., Caird, M.A., Drenovsky, R.E., Sheley, R.L. 2006. Influence of resource pulses and perennial neighbors on the establishment of an invasive annual grass in the mojave desert. Journal of Arid Environments. 67:528-534.
- James, J.J., Mangold, J.M., Sheley, R.L., Svejcar, A.J. 2006. Nitrogen capture by native and invasive great basin species: The role of root plasticity [abstract]. Society for Range Management Meeting Proceedings. Paper No. 190.
- Ganskopp, D.C., Svejcar, A.J., Vavra, M. 2006. Improving late-summer and winter forage quality with livestock grazing. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. SR1057:57-58.
- Blank, R.R., Svejcar, A.J., Riegel, G. 2006. Effect of grazing exclusion on soil attributes in a sierra nevada riparian meadow. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 59:321-329.
- Carpinelli, M.F., Schauer, C.S., Bohnert, D.W., Hardegree, S.P., Falck, S. J., Svejcar, A.J. 2005. Effect of ruminal incubation on perennial pepperweed germination. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 58:632-636.
- Bates, J.D., Svejcar, A.J., Angell, R.F., Miller, R.F. 2005. The effects of precipitation timing on sagebrush steppe vegetation. Journal of Arid Environments. 64:670-697.
- Bates, J.D., Miller, R., Davies, K. 2006. Restoration of Quaking Aspen Woodlands Invaded by Western Juniper. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 58:88-97.
- Bates, J.D., Miller, R.F., Svejcar, A.J. 2005. Long term success trends following western juniper cutting. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 58:533-541.
- Matney, C.A., Boyd, C.S., Stringham, T.K. 2005. Use of felled junipers to protect streamside willows from browsing. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 58:652-655.
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Rangelands in the northern Great Basin are important for livestock production, which provides the critical economic basis for many rural communities. The highly variable climate, low rangeland productivity, and seasonally poor forage quality can limit the economic potential for western livestock operations. These rangelands are also important as wildlife habitat, watersheds, and open space. Increasing environmental and recreational concerns are placing additional constraints and demands on livestock producers and land management agencies. Our task is to develop improved management schemes and knowledge required: a) for livestock producers to maintain their economic viability and b) producers and land managers (public and private) to make appropriate decisions for enhancing or preserving rangeland
ecosystems in the northern Great Basin. Beef cattle are one of the largest agricultural commodities in the western United States, providing the economic basis for the majority of rural communities. Grazing restrictions and increasing regulations (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act) have greatly impacted many livestock operations and, in some cases, entire communities. Improved management alternatives are needed immediately by public and private land managers in order to sustain local economies and provide a quality environment. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Year 1 (FY 2003) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Complete baseline data collection and apply treatments. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Baseline measurements and application of treatments. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Site selection and data collection; report to BLM. Native seed
production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Site selections and field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Obtain and install equipment to measure CO2 flux and collect one season of pretreatment data. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Assess historic patterns of cattle dispersal and develop first nutritional map of pastures. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Select study sites for both fertilization and irrigation timing studies, (2) Apply the fertilization x grazing treatments and initiate data collection. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Complete annual report to project cooperators. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Development and testing of
waterproof camera housing, field technique validation, write image analysis protocol, construct exclosure cages. Year 2 (FY 2004) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Post-treatment measurements and start of grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Site selection and data collection; report to BLM. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Apply a prescribed burn at end of first year. Measure fluxes over burned and unburned plots. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Rest pastures and apply prescription burns.
Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Apply treatments to irrigation timing study and initiate data collection, (2) Continue fertilization x grazing treatments and data collection. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Finish collection of regrowth and environmental data and complete analysis. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Identify sample points, collect field data. Year 3 (FY 2005) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Continuation of post-treatment measurements and grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Data collection and analysis. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): (1) Continue field collections; apply treatments in fall; preliminary data analysis and technical publication.
(2) Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: Continue applying treatments and collecting data for both studies. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Prepare and submit manuscripts and final report to cooperators. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Identify sample points, collect field data. Year 4 (FY 2006) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective
1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Continuation of post-treatment measurements and grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Prepare and submit publications; Report to BLM. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Summarize data and begin writing papers for fertilization x grazing study, (2) Continue treatments and data collection for irrigation timing study. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous
vegetation (Boyd): Completed. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Finalize photographic and environmental datasets. Year 5 (FY 2007) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; data analysis; prepare publications and submit. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Continuation of post-treatment measurements and grazing prescriptions; prepare publications. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Continue long-term site monitoring. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections; data analysis and publication preparation. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Finish data collection for third year, finish data analyses, and draft the manuscript for the study. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and
prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle and draft model. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Summarize data and begin writing papers for irrigation timing study, (2) Develop producer-oriented technology transfer publication on flood meadow management. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Completed. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Prepare and submit manuscripts. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Subobjective 1.1 - Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post treatment measurements; annual report to BLM. Milestone Fully Met 2. Subobjective 1.2 - Prescribed fire and timing of grazing: Continuation of post treatment measurements and
grazing prescriptions. Milestone Fully Met 3. Subobjective 1.2 - Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Data collection and analysis. Milestone Fully Met 4. Subobjective 1.2 - Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections; Apply treatments in fall; Preliminary data analysis and technical publication; Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Milestone Fully Met 5. Subobjective 1.3 - Influence of prescribed fire on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Milestone Fully Met 6. Subobjective 2.1 - Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle. Milestone Fully Met 7. Subobjective 2.2 - Evaluate the influence of irrigation durations and fertilization: Continue applying
treatments and collecting data for both studies. Milestone Not Met Progress slowed by resource limitation (human,fiscal,equipment, etc. 8. Subobjective 2.3 - Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Prepare and submit manuscripts and final report to cooperators. Milestone Fully Met 9. Subobjective 2.3 - Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd) : Identify sample points, collect field data. Milestone Fully Met 3b List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2006, 2007, and 2008). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? FY 2006 Continue studies on the influence of defoliation (grazing) and fertilization on growth and forage quality of meadow foxtail. Summarize and report results of portions of the CO2 flux studies. Construct nutritional maps of the 3 largest pastures on Northern Great Basin Experimental Range and analyses of livestock responses to spatial disparities between 2004 and 2005.
Complete second phase of early weaning study. Complete and summarize the results of research on defoliation impacts on root production of sedge-dominated plant communities. Initiate research on the impact of timing and intensity of defoliation on above and below ground production of meadow species. Initiate study assessing effects of environmental conditions and fuel characteristics for winter and spring burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. Traditional prescribed fire treatment of juniper woodlands has been limited to a short period in the early fall when environmental conditions permit fire to carry through woodlands while providing wildland managers with the ability to control fire spread and intensity. Gel-fuel torches have the potential to extend the burning window and annually increase the amount of area treated for juniper. This research is designed to develop burn parameters and protocols for treating juniper woodlands and provide information on fuel
characteristics necessary for successful treatment application. Land managers should find the results useful for developing alternative juniper treatment prescriptions outside the traditional prescribed fire window. Summarize and report results of shrub/understory vegetation restoration following juniper cutting and winter burning prescriptions. Most juniper woodlands require some level of cutting to generate fuel loads necessary to carry prescribed fire through a plant community and remove remaining live trees. This research is designed to assist managers in developing combinations of cutting and burning to remove juniper on dry and wet community types and provide information on rates and levels of the recovery of understory productivity and ground cover. Summarize and report results of environmental conditions and fuel characteristics for winter and spring burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. This information is needed by land managers to develop prescribed fire
protocols for treatments of western juniper woodland outside the traditional prescribed fire application period. (FY 2007) Summarize the results of defoliation (grazing) and fertilization study on meadow foxtail. Draft and submit manuscript on nutritional mapping project. Coauthor manuscript on early weaning study with Dr. Dave Bohnert. Complete research on the impact of timing and intensity of defoliation on above and below ground production of meadow species. Summarize and report effects of cattle grazing after fire to sagebrush steppe vegetation recovery. The goal of the project is to develop decision guidelines for grazing management after fire in the northern Great Basin. Summarize and report results of shrub/understory vegetation restoration following winter burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. This information has potential use by land managers to qualitatively predict post-treatment vegetation response. FY 2008 Juniper Restoration: Data collection and summary
Seeding establishment of important rangeland species: Data summary and manuscript preparation Meadow fertilization and grazing study: Data summary and manuscript preparation Meadow CO2 fluxes: Data collection Tufted hairgrass defoliation study: Data summary and manuscript preparation Evaluation of impacts of long-term grazing: Initiate study and summarize historical data Evaluate factors that control livestock movement on rangeland: Initiate study 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Due to recent petitions requesting a Threatened and Endangered listing of sage grouse, ARS scientists in Burns, Oregon, evaluated the grazing patterns of cattle in sagebrush/grassland pastures to see if cattle removed herbage that might conceal nest sites beneath sagebrush. Cattle preferred grasses in the inter-spaces between shrubs and did not remove potential nesting cover until about 35 percent of the standing crop had been harvested. These findings suggest the
moderate forage utilization standards applied to public rangelands in the west will minimize potential grazing effects on vegetation beneath sagebrush. Results will help range and wildlife managers develop grazing management guidelines that foster sage grouse recovery. 4b List other significant accomplishments, if any. Juniper cutting is a common rangeland improvement practice, but there is little information on optimal grazing practices after the cutting. ARS scientists in Burns, OR, evaluated the impacts of early spring grazing on recovery of the native community after juniper cutting. This grazing treatment had little impact on recovery of plant productivity, but it did reduce seed production. This information will assist land managers in the design of grazing practices after juniper cutting projects. Alteration of precipitation patterns as a result of climate change has the potential to cause major changes in rangeland condition and productivity. Vegetation response to
altered timing of precipitation was assessed by ARS scientists in Burns, OR during a seven year experiment in a sagebrush-grassland community. We found that a shift to more spring and less winter precipitation had a negative impact on production and ground cover of Great Basin rangeland. These experimental results should begin to provide managers with knowledge they require to evaluate weather- related changes in semi-arid and aridland ecosystems. The loss of aspen stands is a major concern in the far western U.S. ARS scientists in Burns, OR, evaluated the recovery of aspen stands after fall or spring prescribed burning. Fall burning stimulated aspen growth but had a negative impact on some of the associated plant species. Spring burning was less effective at stimulating aspen, but did stimulate many of the other species important in aspen stands. These results illustrate options available to land managers for restoring aspen stands on both private and public land. 5. Describe
the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project was begun in September 2002. The major accomplishments over the life of the project listed below come from the previous project (Project Number 5360-11630-004-00D). Long-term CO2 flux measurements at 10 ARS rangeland research units shows that U.S. rangelands are a sink for atmospheric CO2. The information is important because rangelands comprise half of the earth's land area and about a third of U.S. land area. The study was conducted over a six-year period and across most of the major rangeland types found in the U.S. There is a known "missing sink" for atmospheric CO2 in North America, and these results may help identify a potential sink and improve future efforts to model large-scale carbon budgets. There is a lack of basic ecological information of the sagebrush steppe in the Great Basin which makes it difficult to develop management guidelines that are compatible
for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat of threatened species such as sage grouse. Sagebrush cover and plant community composition on 107 excellent condition sites in the Wyoming big sagebrush alliance, the most extensive sagebrush type in the western United States, were measured over a two year period and compared to current sage grouse habitat guidelines. The results demonstrate problems with current guidelines for managing arid sagebrush types, and provide realistic classifications and management guidelines. The study has provided managers with a realistic estimate of the ecological potentials of Wyoming big sagebrush alliance in the Great Basin. In a cooperative effort with Dr. Eugene Ungar (Israel) we successfully evaluated the inference of beef cattle activities (grazing, resting, walking) in extensive rangeland pastures using linear regression and regression tree analyses on motion sensor data acquired from GPS collars designed to integrate an animal's position at
scheduled intervals. This information is needed so that reseachers and livestock managers can evaluate resource use by grazing animals and quantify their responses to both animal and landscape management manipulations. Data were acquired from extensive pastures (2000+ acres) at the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range, Burns, Oregon and at the Karei Deshe Experimental Range (eastern Galilee) from smaller rangeland paddocks (70+ acres). these determinations will allow researchers to assign specific activities to locations frequented by beef cattle to accurately describe both distribution patterns of stock and assess the impace those animals might affect upon visited areas in rangeland settings. We completed research to determine if felled western juniper can be used as a source of artificial shade to decrease summer water temperature on streams not meeting water temperature standards for cold water fisheries. Excessive summer water temperature is the number one water quality
impairment of small streams in the Intermountain region and our research suggests a proactive approach for ameliorating high summer water temperatures. We monitored stream temperature, willow herbivory, and fish behavior on a stream before and after covering the stream in sections with felled western juniper (a by-product of uplant plant community restoration). Our research suggests that covering a riparian area with felled juniper not only moderates water temperature, but decreases herbivory on stream-side willows, a potentially "long-term" source of stream shading; thus, our protocol could be used as a management alternative to riparian fencing in grazed systems, allowing for use of riparian forage resources with simultaneous reductions in water temperature and recovery of willow resources. Information on livestock grazing after juniper cutting is needed by land managers to make informed decisions in order to maximize herbaceous plant recovery. Early spring grazing following the
cutting of juniper was assessed over a four-year period on Steens Mountain, Oregon. This grazing prescription was determined to have had no impact on recovery of existing herbaceous plant cover and density when comparing between grazed and ungrazed treatments; however, grazing was detrimental to seed production on the cut-grazed treatment when compared to the ungrazed cut treatment which has the potential to limit site recovery. This research will assist managers in developing grazing prescriptions after treatment of juniper and provide an important foundation for generating additional grazing research in treated woodlands. Burning of juniper trees and debris within the first several years after tree cutting has been assumed to be detrimental to survival of native perennials due to high heat loads and thus may enhance establishment of non-native annuals. Burning juniper debris under cool, wet conditions during the late winter/early spring season did not result in high losses of
perennial bunchgrasses and forbs. Without reducing the sites recovery potential by preferred perennial plant species dormant season burning of juniper debris provides land mangers with (1) a management option for debris removal under controllable burning conditions, (2) reduces fuel loads during safer burning conditions, and (3) increases access to forage species by wild and domestic herbivores. Results from this study have been used by public and private land managers in conducting winter prescribed burns in riparian areas of eastern Oregon. Concerns over water temperature regulations and cold-water fish habitat have increased the need for data concerning the impact of ag-related flood irrigation practices on in-stream water quality. These irrigation practices have the potential to impact both in-stream water temperature and discharge. At present we are comparing seasonal in-stream temperature and flow, and water table dynamics on a meadow system in years with and without
irrigation. Data from this study will provide land managers with information needed to meet water quality management goals in flood-irrigated systems. Low order meadow streams in the western US often have summer water temperatures in excess of mandated by state water quality standards. We are evaluating practice of covering portions of these streams with felled juniper to reduce incoming solar radiation and provide protection from herbivory for emerging willow plants. If allowed to grow to sufficient size, these willows may provide a source of long-term shading. We are also evaluating the preference of native red band trout for shaded and unshaded habitats using a passive integrated transponder system to document fish movement within the study area. Results from this study will provide base-line data to management agencies on the impact of this management practice on both in-stream water temperature and fish habitat quality. Sage grouse are a wildlife species of management
concern in most western states. One of the greatest potential impacts of livestock on sage- grouse habitat is the removal of residual bunchgrass cover used for nesting. Nest sites are typically located under sagebrush plants; however, attainment of suggested stubble height guidelines is typically measured in the interspaces (i.e. between shrub plants). We are investigating the relationship of cattle grazing pressure in the interspaces to that under shrub plants in order to determine the level of grazing pressure at which cattle begin to impact sage-grouse nesting cover. Results from this study will provide base-line information necessary to develop grazing prescriptions which allow for use of rangeland by cattle, but minimize damage to sage grouse nesting habitat. End-of-growing season herbaceous stubble height is an important consideration for managers of riparian areas grazed by livestock. This is particularly true within the context of public lands grazing, where stubble
height standards are usually included in management plans and regulations. Informed development of stubble height guidelines involves knowledge of regrowth dynamics. We compared regrowth of herbaceous riparian vegetation clipped at varying stubble heights and dates. Results from this study indicate that regrowth based on height decreased with clipping in the late-growing season (July) and clipping at or below a 2-inch stubble height, as compared with 4 and 6-inch clipping heights. Regrowth by weight was unaffected by clipping date but was positively correlated with clipping height. Proper management of rangelands in the western U.S. requires detailed knowledge of environmental and managerial effects on the productivity of these important resources which provide many commodities, including watershed yield, livestock and wildlife forage, and wildlife habitat. State-of-the-art technology was employed to measure carbon dioxide uptake and release over burned and unburned native sagebrush
rangelands at the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range near Burns, Oregon, thereby providing an integrated estimate of ecosystem function under each management scenario. We found that the plant growth recovered to pre- burn levels in two years, and that burning altered the seasonal patter, with increased carbon uptake rates on burned areas during the peak growth period. This research, when completed, will provide important guidance for determining the suitability of prescribed fire as a management tool to maintain rangeland health and production, as well as expected response to prescribed fire. We have demonstrated the utility of using analysis of 35mm photographs for monitoring woody plant abundance. Regression equations were developed to determine biomass of sagebrush based on percent visual obstruction of a photo board. Visual obstruction estimates were made using computer-aided image analysis of 35mm photographs. We have developed a similar technology for estimating
changes in willow biomass over time. These technologies will aid land managers in the difficult task of estimating woody plant production, and changes in woody plant abundance over time, as well as providing a permanent record of vegetation status. Additionally, these methods are non-destructive and do not compromise the integrity of the sampled population. With conservative stocking rates in extensive rangeland pastures, valuable forages are wasted because cattle reluctantly graze upon grasses or in areas where cured grasses from previous growing seasons are still standing. In a cooperative study with Oregon State University scientists, beef cattle distribution was quantified with GPS collars in 2001 in pastures where one-half of each was conditioned by high intensity grazing in 2000, and the remaining half was rested. When cattle were grazing, they spent 30 percent of their time in the previously rested portions of pastures (supporting 1,197 pounds of forage per acre) and 70
percent of their time in conditioned portions where standing crop averaged 443 pounds of forage per acre. While these findings clearly indicate that patchy grazing patterns or uneven distribution in rangeland pastures can be self perpetuating, ranchers and land management agencies can avoid wasted forage and obtain uniform use of grasses across the landscape by cattle if they use intensive grazing, fore, or mowing to remove old growth materials. While movement of water and salt have long been used to influence the distribution of beef cattle in extensive rangeland pastures, the relative effectiveness of these two practices have not been established. Water and salting stations were moved about in extensive (2000+ acre) sagebrush/bunchgrass pastures and beef cattle distribution and grazing behavior were monitored with the aid of global positioning system collars on the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range near Burns, Oregon. This research demonstrated that grazing distribution can
be influenced by water movement (cattle do not just walk further to water and then continue to graze the preferred areas); however, salt movement in an effective tool for influencing grazing distribution. Ranchers can save the labor and other costs associated with salt movement, and focus more on water developments if their goal is to improve grazing distribution. Prescribed fire is viewed by some policy makers as a source of atmospheric CO2 influx, but we have little information on the influence of fire on subsequent CO2 flux on rangeland. At the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range, Burns, Oregon, we quantified growing season CO2 fluxes on burned and unburned sagebrush steppe rangeland. Results from the first two years suggest that burning can enhance CO2 uptake by vegetation. This information provides new information on the role of prescribed fire in maintaining healthy and productive rangelands. It is commonly assumed that introduced annual grasses alter nutrient cycles
when they displace native rangeland bunchgrasses, thus making revegetation with native species difficult. We compared nitrogen cycling on annual cheatgrass-dominated and native bunchgrass-dominated rangeland in northeastern Oregon. The results showed very few differences in soil nitrogen or nitrogen availability between the introduced cheatgrass sites and those dominated by the native community. Our results suggest that the difficulty of revegetating cheatgrass-dominated rangeland is a direct result of cheatgrass competition rather than altered site characteristics. There is concern among both private and public land managers that aspen communities in the Great Basin are losing their vigor and being replaced by less desirable species. Ninety-one aspen stands in southeastern Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada were sampled for stand structure and vegetation composition. Over 75% of the aspen stands have been invaded by western juniper, and 70% of the stands
have no young aspen. Removal of fire from these aspen communities has been detrimental to stand maintenance and active management will be required to ensure the future health of these important plant communities. We demonstrated that western juniper encroachment can have major negative impacts on forage production, biodiversity, and erosion potential of a site. The results have been used to focus both public and private resources on juniper management in the six million acres influenced by western juniper. Published results of this research are regularly cited in Environmental Assessments prepared by the Bureau of Land Management, in grant proposals prepared by private landowners for watershed enhancement, and in public forums on rangeland management. Fertilization of flood meadows has been controversial, with some hay producers claiming a positive economic response while others consider it an economic loss. Research at Burns demonstrated that fertilization was not cost effective
immediately after a drought, but does provide an economic benefit after several consecutive wet years. Hay producers have used these results to design fertilization schedules that are both economically and environmentally sound. Climate models suggest that future climatic shifts in the Great Basin could increase the proportion of spring precipitation. Research showed that altering precipitation arrival patterns has significant effects on rangeland vegetation. Most precipitation on rangelands of the northern Great Basin falls in the winter and spring. Manipulating precipitation arrival to the late spring and summer resulted in higher levels of bare ground, reduced herbaceous biomass production, and a drastic reduction of perennial and annual forb growth and development. Wildlife, domestic livestock, and other organisms that depend on herbaceous plant production may be adversely affected by a spring moisture regime. A spring moisture pattern that leads to higher levels of bare
soil may result in greater erosion, and increase chances of weed invasions. Our results contrast with current scientific theory on this subject. Forage palatability studies demonstrated that cattle shift their forage preferences over the course of the growing season. Preferred plants in the spring may not be preferred in the fall. The results will aid in making recommendations for which forage species are best suited to the various seasons of grazing use. Low order meadow streams in the western U.S. often have summer water temperatures in excess of that mandated by state water quality standards. We are evaluating the practice of covering portions of these streams with felled juniper to reduce incoming solar radiation and provide protection from herbivory for emerging willow plants. If allowed to grow to sufficient size, these willows may provide a source of long-term shading. We are also evaluating the preference of native red band trout for shaded and unshaded habitats using a
passive integrated transponder system to document fish movement within the study area. Results from this study suggest innovative ways to use a by product of upland plant community restoration (felled juniper) to decrease summer water temperature extremes. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? To control juniper and restore shrub grassland and aspen woodland more cost effectively we developed combinations of partial cutting of juniper followed by prescribed fire. The partial cutting is done to increase the amount of cured surface fuels to carry prescribed fire through woodlands and remove remaining juniper. We determined that only 20-33% of the juniper trees need to be cut to successfully apply prescribed fire. This practice has been
adopted by federal and state land management agencies, and by private land owners in Oregon and Idaho for treating 1000s of acres of rangelands the past several years. Proposed juniper control programs will treat many additional acres over the next 10 years. We serve as technical advisor on the Senate Bill 1010 Water Quality committee and provide technical advice to the Southeastern Oregon Resource Advisory Council and the Governor's Committee on Management of Sage Grouse and Sagebrush Obligates. We serve as technical advisors to the local Watershed Council, Weed Board, Soil and Water Conservation District, and ODF&W Access and Habitat Board. Staff continuously provides information and recommendations on a wide variety of agricultural and natural resource issues to producers, resource managers, extension agents, environmental groups, and the public. Information requests primarily come from the Northwest and Intermountain regions of the United States (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah,
Nevada, California, and Montana). We have assisted the Burns Paiute tribe in management of tribally owned lands in eastern Oregon. This involvement includes serving on an oversight management committee, direct interaction with tribal managers on specific problems related to livestock grazing management, development of vegetation monitoring procedures, participation in field tours, and development of cooperative research projects aimed at answering specific management questions. ARS staff also helped the tribe develop plans for a self-sustaining beef cattle enterprise. We continue to interact with both Burns and Crane High School FFA programs, providing input on curriculum and presentations on current research. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). South Mountain Juniper Control Study, Annual Report 2005. Jon Bates, Roger Sheley, and
Rob Sharp. 30 p. This publication has been used extensively by landowners, Frederal and State land management agencies in Oregon and Idaho. Presentations on juniper management, rangeland ecology, or sage grouse habitat were provided for the Oregon Cattlemans Association, Pacific Northwest Section Society for Range Management, Idaho Section Society for Range management, Monument Soil and Water Conservation District, and several University classes and Extension Service meetings. We hosted the entire Burns/Hines School District 2nd grade for a half- day tour of the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Aguilera, L., Ganskopp, D.C. 2005. Beef cattle forage conditioning of 6 northern Great Basin grasses: Regrowth forage quality [abstract]. Society for Range Management. Paper No. 122.
- Bates, J.D. 2004. Interannual productivity in burned and unburned wyoming big sagebrush-grassland. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Range Field Day Report 2004: Current Forage and Livestock Production Research. Special Report 1052. p. 17-23.
- Bates, J.D. 2004. South mountain juniper control study, annual report, 2003. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. 17 p.
- Bates, J.D., Davies, K., Miller, R. 2004. Ecology of the Wyoming big sagebrush alliance in the northern Great Basin: 2004 progress report. Agricultural Research Service Publication. 61 p.
- Bates, J.D., Miller, R. 2005. Are guidelines for sage grouse habitat realistic in wyoming big sagebrush communities in eastern oregon [abstract]? Society of Range Management. Paper No. 72.
- Bates, J.D., Miller, R. 2005. Aspen restoration in the great basin using combinations of selective juniper cutting and prescribed fire [abstract]. Society of Range Management. Paper No. 17.
- Bates, J.D., Miller, R. 2005. Wyoming big sagebrush influence on community resource capture [abstract]. Ecology and Management of Pinyon Juniper Communities Within The Interior W. Paper No. 23.
- Bates, J.D., Svejcar, A.J., Miller, R. 2004. Forage production in a cut juniper woodland. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Range Field Day Report 2004: Current Forage and Livestock Production Research. Special Report 1052. p. 24-31.
- Bohnert, D.W., Angell, R.F., Torell, R.C. 2005. A survey of cow-calf producers in Oregon and Nevada - Production practices. Western Section of Animal Science 56:183-185.
- Bohnert, D.W., Ganskopp, D.C., Johnson, D.D., Falck, S.J. 2005. The effects of early weaning on cow performance and grazing behavior in the intermountain west. Western Section of Animal Science Proceedings. 56:267- 270
- Boyd, C.S., Ganskopp, D.C. 2005. Interspace/undercanopy foraging patterns of beef cattle in sagebrush communities: Implications to sage-grouse nesting habitat [abstract]. Ecology Management. Paper No. 113.
- Boyd, C.S., Svejcar, A.J. 2004. Production and regrowth of riparian sedge/grass communities. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Range Field Day Report 2004: Current Forage and Livestock Production Research. Special Report 1052. p. 32-39.
- James, J.J. 2005. Environmental and generic variation influence nighttime transpiration in the C4 grass distichlis spicata [abstract]. Ecological Society of America Bulletin. Paper No. 164-165.
- James, J.J. 2005. Nighttime transpiration and nutrient acquisition: Is there a benefit of losing water at night [abstract]? Ecological Society of America Bulletin. Paper No. 93.
- James, J.J. 2005. Seasonal timing of n pulses alters competitive interactions in a desert shrub community [abstract]. Ecological Society of America Bulletin. Paper No. 303.
- Richards, J.H., James, J.J., Alder, N.N., Muhling, K.H., Laeuchli, A.E., Donovan, L.A. 2005. High apoplastic solute concentrations in leaves alter water relations of the halophytic shrub sarcobatus vermiculatus [abstract]. International Botanical Congress. Paper No. P1878.
- Ungar, E.D., Henkin, Z., Gutman, M., Dolev, A., Genizi, A., Ganskopp, D.C. 2005. Inference of animal activity from gps collar data on free-ranging cattle. Journal of Range Management. 58(3):256-266.
- Schauer, C.S., Davies, K.W., Bates, J.D., Svejcar, A.J., Bohnert, D. 2004. The effect of seeding and seedbed preparation methods on establishment of forage kochia (kochia prostrata [l.] shad.) [abstract]. Society for Range Management. Paper No. 319.
- Bates, J.D., Miller, R.F. 2004. Restoration of aspen woodland invaded by western juniper: applications of partial cutting and prescribed fire. In: Proceedings of the 16th Int'l Conferences, Society for Ecological Restoration, August 24-26, 2004, Victoria, Canada. 2004 CDROM.
- Bates, J.D., Miller, R., Sharp, R.N. 2005. Wild and prescribed fire effects to Wyoming big sagebrush steppe, Eastern Oregon [abstract]. Ecology and Management of Pinyon Juniper Communities Within The Interior W. Paper No. 31.
- Bates, J.D., Miller, R., Svejcar, A.J. 2004. Long-term succession after cutting western juniper [abstract]. Society for Range Management. Paper No. 20.
- Bates, J.D., Miller, R., Svejcar, A.J. 2005. Western juniper control: management techniques and vegetation dynamics [abstract]. Ecology and Management of Pinyon Juniper Communities Within The Interior W. Paper No. 52.
|
Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Rangelands in the northern Great Basin are important for livestock production, which provides the critical economic basis for many rural communities. The highly variable climate, low rangeland productivity, and seasonally poor forage quality can limit the economic potential for western livestock operations. These rangelands are also important as wildlife habitat, watersheds, and open space. Increasing environmental and recreational concerns are placing additional constraints and demands on livestock producers and land management agencies. Our task is to develop improved management schemes and knowledge required: a) for livestock producers to maintain their economic viability and b) producers and land managers (public and private) to make appropriate decisions for enhancing or preserving rangeland
ecosystems in the northern Great Basin. Beef cattle are one of the largest agricultural commodities in the western United States, providing the economic basis for the majority of rural communities. Grazing restrictions and increasing regulations (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act) have greatly impacted many livestock operations and, in some cases, entire communities. Improved management alternatives are needed immediately by public and private land managers in order to sustain local economies and provide a quality environment. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Year 1 (FY 2003) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Complete baseline data collection and apply treatments. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Baseline measurements and application of treatments. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Site selection and data collection; report to BLM. Native seed
production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Site selections and field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Obtain and install equipment to measure CO2 flux and collect one season of pretreatment data. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Assess historic patterns of cattle dispersal and develop first nutritional map of pastures. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Select study sites for both fertilization and irrigation timing studies, (2) Apply the fertilization x grazing treatments and initiate data collection. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Complete annual report to project cooperators. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Development and testing of
waterproof camera housing, field technique validation, write image analysis protocol, construct exclosure cages. Year 2 (FY 2004) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Post-treatment measurements and start of grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Site selection and data collection; report to BLM. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Apply a prescribed burn at end of first year. Measure fluxes over burned and unburned plots. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Rest pastures and apply prescription burns.
Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Apply treatments to irrigation timing study and initiate data collection, (2) Continue fertilization x grazing treatments and data collection. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Finish collection of regrowth and environmental data and complete analysis. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Identify sample points, collect field data. Year 3 (FY 2005) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Continuation of post-treatment measurements and grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Data collection and analysis. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): (1) Continue field collections; apply treatments in fall; preliminary data analysis and technical publication.
(2) Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: Continue applying treatments and collecting data for both studies. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Prepare and submit manuscripts and final report to cooperators. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Identify sample points, collect field data. Year 4 (FY 2006) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective
1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Continuation of post-treatment measurements and grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Prepare and submit publications; Report to BLM. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Continue data collection and summarize data to date. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Summarize data and begin writing papers for fertilization x grazing study, (2) Continue treatments and data collection for irrigation timing study. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous
vegetation (Boyd): Completed. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Finalize photographic and environmental datasets. Year 5 (FY 2007) Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; data analysis; prepare publications and submit. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Continuation of post-treatment measurements and grazing prescriptions; prepare publications. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Continue long-term site monitoring. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections; data analysis and publication preparation. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Finish data collection for third year, finish data analyses, and draft the manuscript for the study. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and
prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Map nutritional characteristics and stock pastures with GPSed cattle and draft model. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Summarize data and begin writing papers for irrigation timing study, (2) Develop producer-oriented technology transfer publication on flood meadow management. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Completed. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Prepare and submit manuscripts. 3. Milestones: A. List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2004. How many milestones did you fully or substantially meet in FY 2004, and indicate which ones were not fully or substantially met, briefly explain why not, and your plans to do so. The milestones listed below were scheduled to be completed under Year 2. All the sub-objective milestones were met except for 2.2, 'Evaluate the influence of
irrigation duration and fertilization'. There were personnel changes that created a delay in implementation, but at this point the appropriate personnel are in place. Sub-objective 1.1: Western juniper control strategies (Bates & Svejcar): Post-treatment measurements; Annual report to BLM. Sub-objective 1.2: Prescribed fire and grazing: Post-treatment measurements and start of grazing prescriptions. Wyoming big sagebrush vegetation potential and classification: Site selection and data collection; report to BLM. Native seed production capabilities and harvesting (Bates): Continue field collections. Sub-objective 1.3: Influence of prescribed fired on CO2 flux over Wyoming big sagebrush communities (Angell, Svejcar, Bates): Apply a prescribed burn at end of first year. Measure fluxes over burned and unburned plots. Sub-objective 2.1: Determine influence of rangeland landscape characteristics and prescription burning on distribution patterns of beef cattle (Ganskopp): Rest pastures
and apply prescription burns. Sub-objective 2.2: Evaluate the influence of irrigations duration and fertilization: (1) Apply treatments to irrigation timing study and initiate data collection, (2) Continue fertilization x grazing treatments and data collection. Sub-objective 2.3 Regrowth of herbaceous vegetation (Boyd): Finish collection of regrowth and environmental data and complete analysis. Herbaceous canopy effects on incoming radiation (Boyd): Identify sample points, collect field data. B. List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006, and 2007). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? Year 3 (FY 2005) Summarize CO2 flux data from burned and unburned Wyoming big sagebrush rangeland. These results will help policy-makers evaluate the effects of prescribed fire on CO2 balance. Research will continue on the annual dynamics and magnitude of carbon dioxide (CO2) flux between sagebrush
rangeland and the atmosphere. This research has been ongoing since 1995 and it is estimated that at least 10 years are required to provide an estimate of interannual variations in peak exchange rates and annual net fluxes. Results to date clearly show that these rangelands can vary from source to sink status in consecutive years. This effort is an integral part of the ARS multi-location cooperative research effort to characterize the annual CO2 balance over western U.S. rangelands. A draft of a synthesis paper summarizing all locations has been prepared and is being reviewed by each location involved. Initiate studies on the influence of defoliation (grazing) and fertilization on growth and forage quality of meadow foxtail. Complete second phase of nutritional mapping project by mapping nutritional aspects of forages in 3 pastures exposed to burn treatments and monitoring livestock responses via GPS collars. Initialize early cooperative early weaning study with Dr. Dave Bohnert.
Draft and submit manuscript on beef cattle distribution responses to spatial aspects of forage quantity and quality in crested wheatgrass pastures. Summarize the results of research on livestock impacts on sage-grouse nesting habitat. Summarize the results of research on the impact of flood irrigation on in-stream discharge and temperature dynamics. Summarize and report data on six years of understory response to juniper cutting and burning. The results will provide information of herbaceous recover (cover, production) in response to debris burning of felled juniper that is useful for public and private land managers. Summarize and report results from a juniper hydrology project jointly performed with the Boise ARS Watershed Unit. Information is needed to demonstrate the effects to watershed function (runoff and erosion) once juniper dominates sagebrush plant communities. Potential users include government land management agencies, livestock permittees, and public and private land
owners. Summarize and report data on sagebrush steppe vegetative cover potentials and relationships to site characteristics. This information is needed because there is a lack of knowledge of the biological potentials of the sagebrush system. Bureau of Land Management vegetation guidelines for sage grouse and other species are based on very little information and could potentially result in poorly designed management plans, thus detrimentally effecting livestock permittees using western rangelands. Continue study evaluating the potential of native grass seed harvesting as a viable economic activity. Wildfires in the western United States have created a large demand for seed, particularly locally harvested native ecotypes. Results will provide data of harvest rate potentials, seed yields yield variability, and production costs of native grass seed for species found in the Great Basin. A major result of the research is to provide information on production potentials of native seed
which could be used in developing business opportunities for native grass seed markets. Initiate study assessing vegetation succession following prescribed fall and winter burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. Control of western juniper woodland expansion is critical for maintaining shrub and herbaceous productivity on rangelands which is important for livestock operations and population of many species of wildlife. Use of gel-fuel torches has the potential to selectively control juniper trees while limiting damage to associated vegetation and may permit faster site recovery than traditional cutting or prescribed fire applications. This information will be useful for assessing vegetation dynamics to this treatment application and provide public and private land managers with a framework to predict post-treatment vegetation response. Year 4 (FY 2006) Continue studies on the influence of defoliation (grazing) and fertilization on growth and forage quality of meadow
foxtail. Summarize and report results of portions of the CO2 flux studies. Construct nutritional maps of the 3 largest pastures on Northern Great Basin Experimental Range and analyses of livestock responses to spatial disparities between 2004 and 2005. Complete second phase of early weaning study. Complete and summarize the results of research on defoliation impacts on root production of sedge-dominated plant communities. Initiate research on the impact of timing and intensity of defoliation on above and below ground production of meadow species. Initiate study assessing effects of environmental conditions and fuel characteristics for winter and spring burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. Traditional prescribed fire treatment of juniper woodlands has been limited to a short period in the early fall when environmental conditions permit fire to carry through woodlands while providing wildland managers with the ability to control fire spread and intensity. Gel-fuel
torches have the potential to extend the burning window and annually increase the amount of area treated for juniper. This research is designed to develop burn parameters and protocols for treating juniper woodlands and provide information on fuel characteristics necessary for successful treatment application. Land managers should find the results useful for developing alternative juniper treatment prescriptions outside the traditional prescribed fire window. Summarize and report results of shrub/understory vegetation restoration following juniper cutting and winter burning prescriptions. Most juniper woodlands require some level of cutting to generate fuel loads necessary to carry prescribed fire through a plant community and remove remaining live trees. This research is designed to assist managers in developing combinations of cutting and burning to remove juniper on dry and wet community types and provide information on rates and levels of the recovery of understory productivity
and ground cover. Summarize and report results of environmental conditions and fuel characteristics for winter and spring burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. This information is needed by land managers to develop prescribed fire protocols for treatments of western juniper woodland outside the traditional prescribed fire application period. Year 5 (FY 2007) Summarize the results of defoliation (grazing) and fertilization study on meadow foxtail. Draft and submit manuscript on nutritional mapping project. Coauthor manuscript on early weaning study with Dr. Dave Bohnert. Complete research on the impact of timing and intensity of defoliation on above and below ground production of meadow species. Summarize and report effects of cattle grazing after fire to sagebrush steppe vegetation recovery. The goal of the project is to develop decision guidelines for grazing management after fire in the northern Great Basin. Summarize and report results of shrub/understory vegetation
restoration following winter burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. This information has potential use by land managers to qualitatively predict post-treatment vegetation response. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Rangelands which comprise about one-third of the U.S. land area provide a critical economic basis for many rural communities; the highly variable climate, low rangeland productivity and seasonally poor forage quality can impact the economic potential for livestock operations. A study was conducted by the scientists in the Range and Meadow Forage Management Research Unit, Burns, OR, for over a six-year period and across most of the major rangeland types found in the U.S. Long-term CO2 flux measurements at 10 ARS rangeland research units show that U.S. rangelands are a sink for atmospheric CO2. There is a known 'missing sink' for atmospheric CO2 in North America, and these results may help identify a potential sink and improve
future efforts to model large-scale carbon budgets. B. There is a lack of basic ecological information of the sagebrush steppe in the Great Basin which makes it difficult to develop management guidelines that are compatible for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat of threatened species such as sage grouse. Sagebrush cover and plant community composition on 107 excellent condition sites in the Wyoming big sagebrush alliance, the most extensive sagebrush type in the western United States, were measured over a two year period and compared to current sage grouse habitat guidelines. The results demonstrate problems with current guidelines for managing arid sagebrush types, and provide realistic classifications and management guidelines. The study has provided managers with a realistic estimate of the ecological potentials of Wyoming big sagebrush alliance in the Great Basin. In a cooperative effort with Dr. Eugene Ungar (Israel) we successfully evaluated the inference of beef cattle
activities (grazing, resting, walking) in extensive rangeland pastures using linear regression and regression tree analyses on motion sensor data acquired from GPS collars designed to integrate an animal's position at scheduled intervals. This information is needed so that researchers and livestock managers can evaluate resource use by grazing animals and quantify their responses to both animal and landscape management manipulations. Data were acquired from extensive pastures (2000+ acres) at the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range, Burns, Oregon and the Karei Deshe Experimental Range (eastern Galilee) from smaller rangeland paddocks (70+ acres). These determinations will allow researchers to assign specific activities to locations frequented by beef cattle to accurately describe both distribution patterns of stock and assess the impact those animals might affect upon visited areas in rangeland settings. We completed research to determine if felled western juniper can be used
as a source of artificial shade to decrease summer water temperature on streams not meeting water temperature standards for cold water fisheries. Excessive summer water temperature is the number one water quality impairment of small streams in the Intermountain region and our research suggests a proactive approach for ameliorating high summer water temperatures. We monitored stream temperature, willow herbivory, and fish behavior on a stream before and after covering the stream in sections with felled western juniper (a by-product of upland plant community restoration). Our research suggests that covering a riparian area with felled juniper not only moderates water temperature, but decreases herbivory on stream-side willows, a potentially 'long-term' source of stream shading; thus, our protocol could be used as a management alternative to riparian fencing in grazed systems, allowing for use of riparian forage resources with simultaneous reductions in water temperature and recovery
of willow resources. Significant activities that support special target populations. We have assisted the Burns Paiute Tribe in management of tribally owned lands in eastern Oregon. This involvement includes serving on an oversight management committee, direct interaction with tribal managers on specific problems related to livestock grazing management, development of vegetation monitoring procedures, participation in field tours, and development of cooperative research projects aimed at answering specific management questions. In FY 2004 we collected the second year of post- treatment data collection on a research project addressing the impact of flood irrigation on in-stream water temperature and flow, and water table dynamics of the surrounding flood meadow system. Progress report. None 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project was begun in September 2002. The major accomplishments over the life
of the project listed below come from the previous project (Project Number 5360-11630-004-00D). Information on livestock grazing after juniper cutting is needed by land managers to make informed decisions in order to maximize herbaceous plant recovery. Early spring grazing following the cutting of juniper was assessed over a four-year period on Steens Mountain, Oregon. This grazing prescription was determined to have had no impact on recovery of existing herbaceous plant cover and density when comparing between grazed and ungrazed treatments; however, grazing was detrimental to seed production on the cut-grazed treatment when compared to the ungrazed cut treatment which has the potential to limit site recovery. This research will assist managers in developing grazing prescriptions after treatment of juniper and provide an important foundation for generating additional grazing research in treated woodlands. Burning of juniper trees and debris within the first several years after
tree cutting has been assumed to be detrimental to survival of native perennials due to high heat loads and thus may enhance establishment of non-native annuals. Burning juniper debris under cool, wet conditions during the late winter/early spring season did not result in high losses of perennial bunchgrasses and forbs. Without reducing the sites recovery potential by preferred perennial plant species dormant season burning of juniper debris provides land mangers with (1) a management option for debris removal under controllable burning conditions, (2) reduces fuel loads during safer burning conditions, and (3) increases access to forage species by wild and domestic herbivores. Results from this study have been used by public and private land managers in conducting winter prescribed burns in riparian areas of eastern Oregon. Concerns over water temperature regulations and cold-water fish habitat have increased the need for data concerning the impact of ag-related flood irrigation
practices on in-stream water quality. These irrigation practices have the potential to impact both in-stream water temperature and discharge. At present we are comparing seasonal in-stream temperature and flow, and water table dynamics on a meadow system in years with and without irrigation. Data from this study will provide land managers with information needed to meet water quality management goals in flood-irrigated systems. Low order meadow streams in the western US often have summer water temperatures in excess of mandated by state water quality standards. We are evaluating practice of covering portions of these streams with felled juniper to reduce incoming solar radiation and provide protection from herbivory for emerging willow plants. If allowed to grow to sufficient size, these willows may provide a source of long-term shading. We are also evaluating the preference of native red band trout for shaded and unshaded habitats using a passive integrated transponder system
to document fish movement within the study area. Results from this study will provide base-line data to management agencies on the impact of this management practice on both in-stream water temperature and fish habitat quality. Sage grouse are a wildlife species of management concern in most western states. One of the greatest potential impacts of livestock on sage- grouse habitat is the removal of residual bunchgrass cover used for nesting. Nest sites are typically located under sagebrush plants; however, attainment of suggested stubble height guidelines is typically measured in the interspaces (i.e. between shrub plants). We are investigating the relationship of cattle grazing pressure in the interspaces to that under shrub plants in order to determine the level of grazing pressure at which cattle begin to impact sage-grouse nesting cover. Results from this study will provide base-line information necessary to develop grazing prescriptions which allow for use of rangeland by
cattle, but minimize damage to sage grouse nesting habitat. End-of-growing season herbaceous stubble height is an important consideration for managers of riparian areas grazed by livestock. This is particularly true within the context of public lands grazing, where stubble height standards are usually included in management plans and regulations. Informed development of stubble height guidelines involves knowledge of regrowth dynamics. We compared regrowth of herbaceous riparian vegetation clipped at varying stubble heights and dates. Results from this study indicate that regrowth based on height decreased with clipping in the late-growing season (July) and clipping at or below a 2-inch stubble height, as compared with 4 and 6-inch clipping heights. Regrowth by weight was unaffected by clipping date but was positively correlated with clipping height. Proper management of rangelands in the western U.S. requires detailed knowledge of environmental and managerial effects on the
productivity of these important resources which provide many commodities, including watershed yield, livestock and wildlife forage, and wildlife habitat. State-of-the-art technology was employed to measure carbon dioxide uptake and release over burned and unburned native sagebrush rangelands at the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range near Burns, Oregon, thereby providing an integrated estimate of ecosystem function under each management scenario. We found that the plant growth recovered to pre- burn levels in two years, and that burning altered the seasonal patter, with increased carbon uptake rates on burned areas during the peak growth period. This research, when completed, will provide important guidance for determining the suitability of prescribed fire as a management tool to maintain rangeland health and production, as well as expected response to prescribed fire. We have demonstrated the utility of using analysis of 35mm photographs for monitoring woody plant abundance.
Regression equations were developed to determine biomass of sagebrush based on percent visual obstruction of a photo board. Visual obstruction estimates were made using computer-aided image analysis of 35mm photographs. We have developed a similar technology for estimating changes in willow biomass over time. These technologies will aid land managers in the difficult task of estimating woody plant production, and changes in woody plant abundance over time, as well as providing a permanent record of vegetation status. Additionally, these methods are non-destructive and do not compromise the integrity of the sampled population. With conservative stocking rates in extensive rangeland pastures, valuable forages are wasted because cattle reluctantly graze upon grasses or in areas where cured grasses from previous growing seasons are still standing. In a cooperative study with Oregon State University scientists, beef cattle distribution was quantified with GPS collars in 2001 in
pastures where one-half of each was conditioned by high intensity grazing in 2000, and the remaining half was rested. When cattle were grazing, they spent 30 percent of their time in the previously rested portions of pastures (supporting 1,197 pounds of forage per acre) and 70 percent of their time in conditioned portions where standing crop averaged 443 pounds of forage per acre. While these findings clearly indicate that patchy grazing patterns or uneven distribution in rangeland pastures can be self perpetuating, ranchers and land management agencies can avoid wasted forage and obtain uniform use of grasses across the landscape by cattle if they use intensive grazing, fore, or mowing to remove old growth materials. While movement of water and salt have long been used to influence the distribution of beef cattle in extensive rangeland pastures, the relative effectiveness of these two practices have not been established. Water and salting stations were moved about in extensive
(2000+ acre) sagebrush/bunchgrass pastures and beef cattle distribution and grazing behavior were monitored with the aid of global positioning system collars on the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range near Burns, Oregon. This research demonstrated that grazing distribution can be influenced by water movement (cattle do not just walk further to water and then continue to graze the preferred areas); however, salt movement in an effective tool for influencing grazing distribution. Ranchers can save the labor and other costs associated with salt movement, and focus more on water developments if their goal is to improve grazing distribution. Prescribed fire is viewed by some policy makers as a source of atmospheric CO2 influx, but we have little information on the influence of fire on subsequent CO2 flux on rangeland. At the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range, Burns, Oregon, we quantified growing season CO2 fluxes on burned and unburned sagebrush steppe rangeland. Results from
the first two years suggest that burning can enhance CO2 uptake by vegetation. This information provides new information on the role of prescribed fire in maintaining healthy and productive rangelands. It is commonly assumed that introduced annual grasses alter nutrient cycles when they displace native rangeland bunchgrasses, thus making revegetation with native species difficult. We compared nitrogen cycling on annual cheatgrass-dominated and native bunchgrass-dominated rangeland in northeastern Oregon. The results showed very few differences in soil nitrogen or nitrogen availability between the introduced cheatgrass sites and those dominated by the native community. Our results suggest that the difficulty of revegetating cheatgrass-dominated rangeland is a direct result of cheatgrass competition rather than altered site characteristics. There is concern among both private and public land managers that aspen communities in the Great Basin are losing their vigor and being replaced
by less desirable species. Ninety-one aspen stands in southeastern Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada were sampled for stand structure and vegetation composition. Over 75% of the aspen stands have been invaded by western juniper, and 70% of the stands have no young aspen. Removal of fire from these aspen communities has been detrimental to stand maintenance and active management will be required to ensure the future health of these important plant communities. We demonstrated that western juniper encroachment can have major negative impacts on forage production, biodiversity, and erosion potential of a site. The results have been used to focus both public and private resources on juniper management in the six million acres influenced by western juniper. Published results of this research are regularly cited in Environmental Assessments prepared by the Bureau of Land Management, in grant proposals prepared by private landowners for watershed enhancement, and
in public forums on rangeland management. Fertilization of flood meadows has been controversial, with some hay producers claiming a positive economic response while others consider it an economic loss. Research at Burns demonstrated that fertilization was not cost effective immediately after a drought, but does provide an economic benefit after several consecutive wet years. Hay producers have used these results to design fertilization schedules that are both economically and environmentally sound. Climate models suggest that future climatic shifts in the Great Basin could increase the proportion of spring precipitation. Research showed that altering precipitation arrival patterns has significant effects on rangeland vegetation. Most precipitation on rangelands of the northern Great Basin falls in the winter and spring. Manipulating precipitation arrival to the late spring and summer resulted in higher levels of bare ground, reduced herbaceous biomass production, and a drastic
reduction of perennial and annual forb growth and development. Wildlife, domestic livestock, and other organisms that depend on herbaceous plant production may be adversely affected by a spring moisture regime. A spring moisture pattern that leads to higher levels of bare soil may result in greater erosion, and increase chances of weed invasions. Our results contrast with current scientific theory on this subject. Forage palatability studies demonstrated that cattle shift their forage preferences over the course of the growing season. Preferred plants in the spring may not be preferred in the fall. The results will aid in making recommendations for which forage species are best suited to the various seasons of grazing use. Low order meadow streams in the western U.S. often have summer water temperatures in excess of that mandated by state water quality standards. We are evaluating the practice of covering portions of these streams with felled juniper to reduce incoming solar
radiation and provide protection from herbivory for emerging willow plants. If allowed to grow to sufficient size, these willows may provide a source of long-term shading. We are also evaluating the preference of native red band trout for shaded and unshaded habitats using a passive integrated transponder system to document fish movement within the study area. Results from this study suggest innovative ways to use a by product of upland plant community restoration (felled juniper) to decrease summer water temperature extremes. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? One of our scientists currently holds the academician position on the Southeastern Oregon Resource Advisory Council (SEORAC). The SEORAC is a citizen's advisory panel whose
members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior and charged with providing guidance to federal land management agencies (U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management) on development of land management plans and alternatives, relations with stakeholders, and regional level policy development. His role is to provide the best available science to the council for use in crafting advisory documents and management recommendations. Output from this committee impacts most cattle operations in southeastern Oregon. Additionally, he has represented the interests of the SEORAC in discussions of land management alternatives with the director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. He currently represents the SEORAC on the Governor's (Oregon) Steering Committee for Sage-grouse and Sagebrush Obligates. This group is charged with developing a sage-grouse habitat management plan for the state of Oregon. Sage-grouse inhabit the majority of the southeast Oregon region and the plan
developed by this committee will have influence on any regional agricultural operation which relies on public lands resources for grazing. We have assisted the Burns Paiute Tribe in management of tribally-owned lands in eastern Oregon. This involvement includes serving on an oversight management committee, direct interaction with tribal managers on specific problems related to livestock grazing management, development of vegetation monitoring procedures, participation in field tours, and development of cooperative research projects aimed at answering specific management questions. Vegetation monitoring technologies developed through this research program are currently being used to monitor the status of woody plant communities on tribal lands. We are assisting in a cooperative effort to develop vegetation monitoring protocols for ranchers grazing on federal lands (U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management) in southeast Oregon. This program will allow permittees to
participate directly in the monitoring process. Lead organizer for a field day designed to teach 7th grade students about the ecology and management of natural and agricultural systems in eastern Oregon. We provided an instructor for a U.S. Fish and Wildlife sponsored riparian ecology workshop for local junior high school students. We have continuously provided information and recommendations on a wide variety of agricultural and natural resource issues to producers, resource managers, extension agents, environmental groups, and the public. Information request primarily came from the Northwest and Intermountain regions of the United States (Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Nevada). Presented a session on forage grass morphology, development, grazing management, and seasonal nutritional dynamics to the Idaho Cattlemen's Association and a field day program to ranchers, agency, and university staff on livestock responses to manipulations of salt, water, and vegetation management in rangeland
pastures. We continue to interact with both Burns and Crane High School FFA programs, providing input on curriculum and presentations on current research. We serve as technical advisor on the Senate Bill 1010 Water Quality committee and provide technical advice to the Southeastern Oregon Resource Advisory Council and the Governor's Committee on Management of Sage Grouse and Sagebrush Obligates. We serve as technical advisors to the local Watershed Council, Weed Board, Soil and Water Conservation District, and ODF&W Access and Habitat Board. We sponsor a Range Field Day that is well attended (100+) by livestock producers, federal, state, and public land managers, and county extension agents. Presentations most recently have dealt with management of perennial pepperweed, juniper management in shrub steppe ecosystems, climate change effects on sagebrush steppe, aspen ecology, and flood meadow research. Staff continuously provide information and recommendations on a wide variety of
agricultural and natural resource issues to producers, resource managers, extension agents, environmental groups, and the public. Information requests primarily come from the Northwest and Intermountain regions of the United States (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California, and Montana). We have assisted the Burns Paiute tribe in management of tribally owned lands in eastern Oregon. This involvement includes serving on an oversight management committee, direct interaction with tribal managers on specific problems related to livestock grazing management, development of vegetation monitoring procedures, participation in field tours, and development of cooperative research projects aimed at answering specific management questions. ARS staff also helped the tribe develop plans for a self-sustaining beef cattle enterprise. Lead organizer for a field day designed to teach 7th grade students about the ecology and management of meadow ecosystems. ARS, the Burns Paiute Tribe,
and the Harney County Independent School District sponsored the event, attended by approximately 90 people. Three Burns ARS scientists participated. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. "A photo-based technique for photo monitoring of willow abundance and utilization." Presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Salt Lake City, Utah. "Affecting beef cattle distribution in rangeland pastures with salt and water." Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Range Field Day Report 2004: Current Forage and Livestock Production Research. Special Report 1052. P. 1-3. "Do spatial nutritional patterns at landscape levels affect beef cattle distribution?" Presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Salt Lake City, Utah. "Ecology of the Wyoming big sagebrush alliance in the northern Great Basin: 2004 progress report." Agricultural
Research Service Publication. 61 p. "Forage production in a cut juniper woodland." Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Range Field Day Report 2004: Current Forage and Livestock Production Research. Special Report 1052. P. 24-31. "Great Basin Redband trout habitat improvement using felled western juniper." Presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Salt Lake City, Utah. "Interannual productivity in burned and unburned Wyoming big sagebrush- grassland." Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Range Field Day Report 2004: Current Forage and Livestock Production Research. Special Report 1052. P. 17-23. "Interspace/under-canopy foraging patterns of beef cattle in sagebrush communities." Presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Salt Lake City, Utah. "Long-term succession after cutting western juniper." Presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Salt Lake City, Utah. "OSU's
Home on the Range." Oregon Agricultural Progress. Fall 2003. P. 22-26. "Production and regrowth of riparian sedge/grass communities." Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Range Field Day Report 2004: Current Forage and Livestock Production Research. Special Report 1052. P. 32-39. "Restoration of aspen woodland invaded by western juniper: applications of partial cutting and prescribed fire." Presented at the 16th International Conference, Society for Ecological Restoration, Victoria, Canada. "South Mountain juniper control study annual report, 2003." Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. 18 p. "The effect of seeding and seedbed preparation methods on establishment of forage kochia (Kochia prostrate [L.] Shad.)." Presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Salt Lake City, Utah. "The effects of environmental variables on willow planting success." Presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Salt Lake
City, Utah. "Undergrazing chases cows away." Capital Press coverage of 2004 Field Day. "Wolfy forage: Its effect on cattle distribution and diet quality." Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. Range Field Day Report 2004: Current Forage and Livestock Production Research. Special Report 1052. P. 4-9. Presented a riparian research program for local and visiting junior high school classes.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Ganskopp, D.C., Svejcar, A.J., Taylor, F., Farstvedt, J. Can spring cattle grazing among young bitterbrush stimulate shrub growth? Journal of Range Management. 2004. 57(2):161-168.
- Ganskopp, D.C., Svejcar, A.J., Vavra, M. 2004. Livestock forage conditioning: bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, and bottlebrush squirreltail. Journal of Range Management. 57:384-392.
- Svejcar, A.J., Applying ecological principles to wildland weed management. Weed Science 2003. 51:266-270.
- Mayeux, H.S., Dugas, B., Svejcar, A.J., Angell, R.F., Johnson, D.A., Frank, A.B., Emmerich, W.E., Morgan, J.A., Sims, P.L., Bradford, J.A. 2003. The ARS rangelands CO2 flux network: Do rangelands sequester carbon? Proceedings of the 7th International Rangeland Congress. p. 1083-1084.
- Liston, A., Wilson, B.L., Robinson, W.A., Doescher, P.S., Harris, N.R., Svejcar, A.J. The relative importance of sexual reproduction versus clonal spread in an aridland bunchgrass. Oecologia 2003. 137:216-225.
- Crawford, J.A., Olson, R.A., West, N.E., Mosley, J.C., Schroeder, M.A., Whitson, T.D., Miller, R.F., Gregg, M.A., Boyd, C.S. 2001. Ecology and management of sage-grouse and sage-grouse habitat. Journal of Range Management. 57(1):2-19.
|
Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it? Rangelands in the northern Great Basin are important for livestock production, which provides the critical economic basis for many rural communities. The highly variable climate, low rangeland productivity, and seasonally poor forage quality can limit the economic potential for western livestock operations. These rangelands are also important as wildlife habitat, watersheds, and open space. Increasing environmental and recreational concerns are placing additional constraints and demands on livestock producers and land management agencies. Our task is to develop improved management schemes and knowledge required: a) for livestock producers to maintain their economic viability and b) producers and land managers (public and private) to make appropriate decisions for enhancing or preserving rangeland ecosystems in the northern Great Basin. 2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter?
Beef cattle are one of the largest agricultural commodities in the western United States, providing the economic basis for the majority of rural communities. Grazing restrictions and increasing regulations (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act) have greatly impacted many livestock operations and, in some cases, entire communities. Improved management alternatives are needed immediately by public and private land managers in order to sustain local economies and provide a quality environment. 3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Program Component(s) to which it has been assigned? All of the research of this unit relates to the ecology and/or management of rangeland, pastures, or hayland. National Program 205, Rangeland, Pastures and Forage (100%). 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment During FY 2003: Research-based information on the regrowth of herbaceous riparian species
following grazing is inadequate for management of livestock grazing in western riparian areas. We compared the impact of grazed (clipped) stubble height and other environmental variables including water table dynamics, channel characteristics, and soil properties on regrowth of streamside herbaceous vegetation on three streams in eastern Oregon; collaborators included the US Bureau of Land Management and two private landowners. Moderate grazing in early to mid-summer will allow adequate regrowth to meet most current stubble height regulations. This project will provide land management agencies and private landowners with information needed to develop grazing prescriptions that help maintain productive riparian ecosystems. B. Other Significant Accomplishment (s): The expansion and development of western juniper woodlands across 8 million acres of the northern Great Basin is of major concern as woodland dominance negatively impacts wildlife habitat, hydrologic function, and
productivity and diversity of shrub steppe plant communities. ARS scientists in Burns, Oregon evaluated herbaceous and shrub response to juniper cutting over a 12 year period in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and one private landowner. As a result of the juniper cutting; (1) herbaceous biomass was 10 times greater in cut woodland compared to uncut woodland controls; (2) native perennial grass production doubled while noxious weed biomass decreased by 85% the past six years of the study; and (3) it was concluded that expensive re- seeding is not required when native bunchgrass densities are greater than 2 plants m-2 on drier type sagebrush-grass plant communities. The results from this research have and continue to be used by land management agencies (BLM) in Oregon and Idaho to formulate and justify juniper control practices and by ranchers treating private property and applying for juniper control grants. Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption
continue to increase atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, raising concerns about global warming, and it appears that these increases will continue for some time. We do not know how western rangelands will respond to this increase, so to answer this and other questions, ARS scientists in Burns, Oregon, in cooperation with other ARS rangeland research units, have established a long-term research effort to measure carbon dioxide fluxes by utilizing Bowen ratio energy balance and closed chamber techniques. To date, we have found that northern Great Basin rangelands generally absorb more carbon dioxide than they release, although inter- annual variation is significant. These results imply that the extensive sagebrush steppe ecosystem may serve as a sink in most years, and thereby might help decrease future atmospheric carbon dioxide increases. Pacific Northwest and Northern Great Basin rangeland grasses that are ungrazed are nutritionally deficient at maturity and will not sustain
weight gains among grazing animals from mid-summer into early winter. Scientists from ARS, Burns, Oregon and Oregon State University investigated the effects of grazing exclusion and light and heavy spring cattle stocking on the subsequent fall and winter nutritional characteristics of 3 of Oregon's major rangeland grasses. Light and heavy stocking reduced fall standing crop by 32 and 67%, respectively, but significantly elevated the crude protein content and digestibility of grasses in September and December. This study demonstrated that controlled spring cattle grazing can be used to improve fall and winter nutritional character of grasses, which will benefit ranchers and wildlife managers attempting to provide the best forages possible for animals under their care. C. Significant Accomplishments/Activities that Support Special Target Populations: We have assisted the Burns Paiute tribe in management of tribally owned lands in eastern Oregon. This involvement includes serving on
an oversight management committee, direct interaction with tribal managers on specific problems related to livestock grazing management, development of vegetation monitoring procedures, participation in field tours, and development of cooperative research projects aimed at answering specific management questions. ARS staff also helped the tribe develop plans for a self-sustaining beef cattle enterprise. In FY 2003 we initiated post- treatment data collection on a research project addressing the impact of flood irrigation on in-stream water temperature and flow, and water table dynamics of the surrounding flood meadow system. Most of our customers fall under the small farm category. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project was begun in September 2002. The major accomplishments over the life of the project listed below come from the previous project (Project Number 5360-11630-004-00D). Information on
livestock grazing after juniper cutting is needed by land managers to make informed decisions in order to maximize herbaceous plant recovery. Early spring grazing following the cutting of juniper was assessed over a four-year period on Steens Mountain, Oregon. This grazing prescription was determined to have had no impact on recovery of existing herbaceous plant cover and density when comparing between grazed and ungrazed treatments; however, grazing was detrimental to seed production on the cut-grazed treatment when compared to the ungrazed cut treatment which has the potential to limit site recovery. This research will assist managers in developing grazing prescriptions after treatment of juniper and provide an important foundation for generating additional grazing research in treated woodlands. Burning of juniper trees and debris within the first several years after tree cutting has been assumed to be detrimental to survival of native perennials due to high heat loads and thus
may enhance establishment of non-native annuals. Burning juniper debris under cool, wet conditions during the late winter/early spring season did not result in high losses of perennial bunchgrasses and forbs. Without reducing the sites recovery potential by preferred perennial plant species dormant season burning of juniper debris provides land mangers with (1) a management option for debris removal under controllable burning conditions, (2) reduces fuel loads during safer burning conditions, and (3) increases access to forage species by wild and domestic herbivores. Results from this study have been used by public and private land managers in conducting winter prescribed burns in riparian areas of eastern Oregon. Concerns over water temperature regulations and cold-water fish habitat have increased the need for data concerning the impact of ag-related flood irrigation practices on in-stream water quality. These irrigation practices have the potential to impact both in-stream
water temperature and discharge. At present we are comparing seasonal in-stream temperature and flow, and water table dynamics on a meadow system in years with and without irrigation. Data from this study will provide land managers with information needed to meet water quality management goals in flood-irrigated systems. Low order meadow streams in the western US often have summer water temperatures in excess of mandated by state water quality standards. We are evaluating practice of covering portions of these streams with felled juniper to reduce incoming solar radiation and provide protection from herbivory for emerging willow plants. If allowed to grow to sufficient size, these willows may provide a source of long-term shading. We are also evaluating the preference of native red band trout for shaded and unshaded habitats using a passive integrated transponder system to document fish movement within the study area. Results from this study will provide base-line data to
management agencies on the impact of this management practice on both in-stream water temperature and fish habitat quality. Sage grouse are a wildlife species of management concern in most western states. One of the greatest potential impacts of livestock on sage- grouse habitat is the removal of residual bunchgrass cover used for nesting. Nest sites are typically located under sagebrush plants; however, attainment of suggested stubble height guidelines is typically measured in the interspaces (i.e. between shrub plants). We are investigating the relationship of cattle grazing pressure in the interspaces to that under shrub plants in order to determine the level of grazing pressure at which cattle begin to impact sage-grouse nesting cover. Results from this study will provide base-line information necessary to develop grazing prescriptions which allow for use of rangeland by cattle, but minimize damage to sage grouse nesting habitat. End-of-growing season herbaceous stubble height
is an important consideration for managers of riparian areas grazed by livestock. This is particularly true within the context of public lands grazing, where stubble height standards are usually included in management plans and regulations. Informed development of stubble height guidelines involves knowledge of regrowth dynamics. We compared regrowth of herbaceous riparian vegetation clipped at varying stubble heights and dates. Results from this study indicate that regrowth based on height decreased with clipping in the late-growing season (July) and clipping at or below a 2-inch stubble height, as compared with 4 and 6-inch clipping heights. Regrowth by weight was unaffected by clipping date but was positively correlated with clipping height. Proper management of rangelands in the western U.S. requires detailed knowledge of environmental and managerial effects on the productivity of these important resources which provide many commodities, including watershed yield, livestock and
wildlife forage, and wildlife habitat. State-of-the-art technology was employed to measure carbon dioxide uptake and release over burned and unburned native sagebrush rangelands at the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range near Burns, Oregon, thereby providing an integrated estimate of ecosystem function under each management scenario. We found that the plant growth recovered to pre- burn levels in two years, and that burning altered the seasonal patter, with increased carbon uptake rates on burned areas during the peak growth period. This research, when completed, will provide important guidance for determining the suitability of prescribed fire as a management tool to maintain rangeland health and production, as well as expected response to prescribed fire. We have demonstrated the utility of using analysis of 35mm photographs for monitoring woody plant abundance. Regression equations were developed to determine biomass of sagebrush based on percent visual obstruction of a
photo board. Visual obstruction estimates were made using computer-aided image analysis of 35mm photographs. We have developed a similar technology for estimating changes in willow biomass over time. These technologies will aid land managers in the difficult task of estimating woody plant production, and changes in woody plant abundance over time, as well as providing a permanent record of vegetation status. Additionally, these methods are non-destructive and do not compromise the integrity of the sampled population. With conservative stocking rates in extensive rangeland pastures, valuable forages are wasted because cattle reluctantly graze upon grasses or in areas where cured grasses from previous growing seasons are still standing. In a cooperative study with Oregon State University scientists, beef cattle distribution was quantified with GPS collars in 2001 in pastures where one-half of each was conditioned by high intensity grazing in 2000, and the remaining half was rested.
When cattle were grazing, they spent 30 percent of their time in the previously rested portions of pastures (supporting 1,197 pounds of forage per acre) and 70 percent of their time in conditioned portions where standing crop averaged 443 pounds of forage per acre. While these findings clearly indicate that patchy grazing patterns or uneven distribution in rangeland pastures can be self perpetuating, ranchers and land management agencies can avoid wasted forage and obtain uniform use of grasses across the landscape by cattle if they use intensive grazing, fore, or mowing to remove old growth materials. While movement of water and salt have long been used to influence the distribution of beef cattle in extensive rangeland pastures, the relative effectiveness of these two practices have not been established. Water and salting stations were moved about in extensive (2000+ acre) sagebrush/bunchgrass pastures and beef cattle distribution and grazing behavior were monitored with the aid
of global positioning system collars on the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range near Burns, Oregon. This research demonstrated that grazing distribution can be influenced by water movement (cattle do not just walk further to water and then continue to graze the preferred areas); however, salt movement in an effective tool for influencing grazing distribution. Ranchers can save the labor and other costs associated with salt movement, and focus more on water developments if their goal is to improve grazing distribution. Prescribed fire is viewed by some policy makers as a source of atmospheric CO2 influx, but we have little information on the influence of fire on subsequent CO2 flux on rangeland. At the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range, Burns, Oregon, we quantified growing season CO2 fluxes on burned and unburned sagebrush steppe rangeland. Results from the first two years suggest that burning can enhance CO2 uptake by vegetation. This information provides new
information on the role of prescribed fire in maintaining healthy and productive rangelands. It is commonly assumed that introduced annual grasses alter nutrient cycles when they displace native rangeland bunchgrasses, thus making revegetation with native species difficult. We compared nitrogen cycling on annual cheatgrass-dominated and native bunchgrass-dominated rangeland in northeastern Oregon. The results showed very few differences in soil nitrogen or nitrogen availability between the introduced cheatgrass sites and those dominated by the native community. Our results suggest that the difficulty of revegetating cheatgrass-dominated rangeland is a direct result of cheatgrass competition rather than altered site characteristics. There is concern among both private and public land managers that aspen communities in the Great Basin are losing their vigor and being replaced by less desirable species. Ninety-one aspen stands in southeastern Oregon, northeastern California, and
northwestern Nevada were sampled for stand structure and vegetation composition. Over 75% of the aspen stands have been invaded by western juniper, and 70% of the stands have no young aspen. Removal of fire from these aspen communities has been detrimental to stand maintenance and active management will be required to ensure the future health of these important plant communities. We demonstrated that western juniper encroachment can have major negative impacts on forage production, biodiversity, and erosion potential of a site. The results have been used to focus both public and private resources on juniper management in the six million acres influenced by western juniper. Published results of this research are regularly cited in Environmental Assessments prepared by the Bureau of Land Management, in grant proposals prepared by private landowners for watershed enhancement, and in public forums on rangeland management. Fertilization of flood meadows has been controversial, with
some hay producers claiming a positive economic response while others consider it an economic loss. Research at Burns demonstrated that fertilization was not cost effective immediately after a drought, but does provide an economic benefit after several consecutive wet years. Hay producers have used these results to design fertilization schedules that are both economically and environmentally sound. Climate models suggest that future climatic shifts in the Great Basin could increase the proportion of spring precipitation. Research showed that altering precipitation arrival patterns has significant effects on rangeland vegetation. Most precipitation on rangelands of the northern Great Basin falls in the winter and spring. Manipulating precipitation arrival to the late spring and summer resulted in higher levels of bare ground, reduced herbaceous biomass production, and a drastic reduction of perennial and annual forb growth and development. Wildlife, domestic livestock, and other
organisms that depend on herbaceous plant production may be adversely affected by a spring moisture regime. A spring moisture pattern that leads to higher levels of bare soil may result in greater erosion, and increase chances of weed invasions. Our results contrast with current scientific theory on this subject. Forage palatability studies demonstrated that cattle shift their forage preferences over the course of the growing season. Preferred plants in the spring may not be preferred in the fall. The results will aid in making recommendations for which forage species are best suited to the various seasons of grazing use. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? During FY 2004 ARS will: Summarize and report on six years of CO2 flux data from nine ARS rangeland pasture and forage locations. Summarize and report results from three years of soil nitrogen processes as influenced by altered precipitation regimes. The results are significant for
interpreting effects of short and long-term climate changes on productivity of shrub/steppe plant communities. Summarize and report data on twelve years of understory response to juniper cutting. Little long-term data exists documenting vegetation succession after juniper treatment. The results will provide public and private land managers with what may be expected for herbaceous productivity and cover, and speed of shrub re-occupancy on drier type plant communities. Summarize and report data on six years of understory response to juniper cutting and burning. The results will provide information of herbaceous recovery (cover, production) in response to debris burning of felled juniper that is useful for public and private land managers. Summarize and report results from a juniper hydrology project jointly performed with the Boise ARS Watershed Unit. Information is needed to demonstrate the effects to watershed function (runoff and erosion) once juniper dominates sagebrush plant
communities. Potential users include government land management agencies, livestock permittees, and public and private landowners. Summarize and report data on sagebrush steppe vegetative cover potentials and relationships to site characteristics. This information is needed because there is a lack of knowledge of the biological potentialities of the sagebrush system. Bureau of Land Management vegetation guidelines for sage grouse and other species are based on very little information and could potentially result in poorly designed management plans, thus, detrimentally effecting livestock permittees using western rangelands. Initiate study assessing vegetation succession following prescribed fall and winter burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. Control of western juniper woodland expansion is critical for maintaining shrub and herbaceous productivity on rangelands, which is important for livestock operations and population of many species of wildlife. Use of gel-fuel
torches has the potential to selectively control juniper trees while limiting damaging to associated vegetation and may permit faster site recovery than traditional cutting or prescribed fire applications. This information will be useful for assessing vegetation dynamics to this treatment application and provide public and private land managers with a framework to predict post treatment vegetation response. Initiate a study assessing effects of environmental conditions and fuel characteristics for winter and spring burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. Traditional prescribed fire treatment of juniper woodlands has been limited to a short period in the early fall when environmental conditions permit fire to carry through woodlands while providing wildland managers with the ability to control fire spread and intensity. Gel-fuel torches have the potential to extend the burning window and annually increase the amount of area treated for juniper. This research is designed
to develop burn parameters and protocols for treating juniper woodlands and provide information on fuel characteristics necessary for successful treatment application. Land managers should find the results useful for developing alternative juniper treatment prescriptions outside the traditional prescribed fire window. Initiate a study evaluating the potential of native grass seed harvesting as a viable economic activity. Wildfires in the western United States have created a large demand for seed, particularly locally harvested native ecotypes. Results will provide data of harvest rate potentials, seed yields and yield variability, and production costs of native grass seed for species found in the Great Basin. A major result of the research is to provide information on production potentials of native seed, which could be used in developing business opportunities for native grass seed markets. Investigate the spatial distribution of nutritional characteristics in 3 large rangeland
pastures and relate those patterns to the dispersal patterns of beef cattle over the same landscape. Investigate the spatial patterns of forage extraction by beef cattle in the canopy/interspace components of sage grouse nesting habitat. Summarize the results of the artificial stream shade study and report affects of felled juniper on in-stream water temperature dynamics, fish behavior, and protection of willow shrubs from herbivory. Summarize the results of the flood irrigation study and report potential impacts of irrigation practices on in-stream water temperature, in-stream discharge, and meadow water table dynamics. Initiate a study to determine the relationship between grazed stubble height and root production of streamside herbaceous riparian plants. Summarize the results of the herbaceous shading study and report the impacts of herbaceous plant cover on shading of small streams. Summarize the results of livestock impacts on sage grouse nesting habitat study. During FY 2005 ARS
will: Apply treatments (controlled burns, mowing, or fertilization) to alter the spatial nutritional characteristics of 3 large rangeland pastures and evaluate their efficacy at altering beef cattle distribution and forage utilization. Summarize and report results of shrub/understory vegetation restoration following juniper cutting and winter burning prescriptions. Most juniper woodlands require some level of cutting to generate fuel loads necessary to carry prescribed fire through a plant community and remove remaining live trees. This research is designed to assist managers in developing combinations of cutting and burning to remove juniper on dry and wet community types and provide information on rates and levels of the recovery of understory productivity and ground cover. Summarize and report effects of fire and vegetation response in riparian- aspen systems. These studies have important implications in riparian- aspen management and information will be used to assist managers
in future projects. Summarize and report results of environmental conditions and fuel characteristics for winter and spring burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. This information is needed by land mangers to develop prescribed fire protocols for treatment of western juniper woodland outside the traditional prescribed fire application period. Summarize and report data on long-term impacts of grazing on sagebrush steppe vegetation. During FY2006 ARS will: Summarize and report effects of cattle grazing after fire to sagebrush steppe vegetation recovery. The goal of the project is to develop decision guidelines for grazing management after fire in the northern Great Basin. Summarize and report results of shrub/understory vegetation restoration following winter burning of western juniper using gel-fuel torches. This information has potential use by land managers to qualitatively predict post treatment vegetation response. Establish a study to determine the effect of grazing
on carbon dioxide uptake patterns on sagebrush steppe rangeland. Pending acquisition of eddy-covariance equipment, a study will be established to measure energy, water, and carbon dioxide fluxes over a western juniper community. Summarize the results of studies relating beef cattle distribution patterns in extensive pastures to the nutritional characteristics of the landscape. Summarize the results of a study evaluating the effects of beef cattle grazing on the nesting cover of sage grouse on Wyoming big sagebrush rangelands. 7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? We serve as technical advisor on the Senate Bill 1010 Water Quality committee and provide technical advice to the Southeastern Oregon Resource Advisory Council and the Governor's
Committee on Management of Sage Grouse and Sagebrush Obligates. We serve as technical advisors to the local Watershed Council, Weed Board, Soil and Water Conservation District, and ODFW Access and Habitat Board. We sponsor a Range Field Day that is well attended (100+) by livestock producers, federal, state, and public land managers, and county extension agents. Presentations most recently have dealt with management of perennial pepperweed, juniper management in shrub steppe ecosystems, climate change effects on sagebrush steppe, aspen ecology, and flood meadow research. Staff continuously provide information and recommendations on a wide variety of agricultural and natural resource issues to producers, resource managers, extension agents, environmental groups, and the public. Information requests primarily come from the Northwest and Intermountain regions of the United States (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California, and Montana). We have assisted the Burns Paiute
tribe in management of tribally owned lands in eastern Oregon. This involvement includes serving on an oversight management committee, direct interaction with tribal managers on specific problems related to livestock grazing management, development of vegetation monitoring procedures, participation in field tours, and development of cooperative research projects aimed at answering specific management questions. ARS staff also helped the tribe develop plans for a self-sustaining beef cattle enterprise. Lead organizer for a field day designed to teach 7th grade students about the ecology and management of meadow ecosystems. ARS, the Burns Paiute Tribe, and the Harney County Independent School District sponsored the event, attended by approximately 90 people. Three Burns ARS scientists participated. We continue to interact with both Burns and Crane High School FFA programs, providing input on curriculum and presentations on current research. 8. List your most important publications
in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: This does not replace your peer-reviewed publications listed below). "Characterization of the carbon storage potential of U.S. rangelands with long-term CO2 flux measurements." Presented at 2003 Society of Range Management Annual Meeting, Casper, Wyoming. "Livestock grazing in cut juniper woodlands." Presented at 2003 Society of Range Management Annual Meeting, Casper, Wyoming. "Ecological potential of the Wyoming big sagebrush cover type in the northern Great Basin." Presented at 2003 Society of Range Management Annual Meeting, Casper, Wyoming. "Long-term hydrologic recovery following removal of Western juniper." Presented at 2003 Society of Range Management Annual Meeting, Casper, Wyoming. "Sagebrush cover: community level = sage grouse requirements?" Presented at 2003 Society of Range Management Annual Meeting, Casper, Wyoming. "Regrowth of herbaceous riparian vegetation in
response to clipping and environmental factors." Presented at 2003 Society of Range Management Annual Meeting, Casper, Wyoming. "Great Basin redband trout habitat improvement using felled Western juniper." Presented at 2003 Society of Range Management Annual Meeting, Casper, Wyoming. Presented an overview of the riparian research program at EOARC to Harney County ISD 7th grade students. Presentation on juniper ecology and management given to Malheur County Watershed Council, Ontario, Oregon.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- BATES,J.D., SVEJCAR,A.J., MILLER,R.F. EFFECTS OF JUNIPER CUTTING ON NITROGEN MINERALIZATION. JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS 2002. 51:221-234.
- BOYD, C.S., SVEJCAR, A.J. REGROWTH OF HERBACEOUS RIPARIAN VEGETATION IN RESPONSE TO CLIPPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT MEETING ABSTRACTS. 2003. V. 56. PAPER NO. 26.
- GANSKOPP,D.C., BOHNERT,D. MINERAL CONCENTRATION DYNAMICS OF SEVEN NORTHERN GREAT BASIN GRASSES, JOURNAL OF RANGE MANAGEMENT, 2003. V. 56. P. 174-184.
- GANSKOPP, D., SVEJCAR, T., FARSTVEDT, T., TAYLOR, F. CAN EARLY SPRING CATTLE GRAZING ENHANCE BITTERBRUSH GROWTH. ABSTRACTS OF 56TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT. 2003. P. 85.
- LOWSON, K., BUCKHOUSE, J.C., STRINGHAM, T.K., BOYD, C.S. EFFECTS OF PLANTING LOCATION ON SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF BOOTH'S WILLOW PLANTINGS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2003 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY RANGE FIELD DAY. 2003. P. 19-24.
- MATNEY, C.A., STRINGHAM, T.K., BOYD, C.S. GREAT BASIN REDBAND TROUT HABITAT IMPROVEMENT USING FELLED WESTERN JUNIPER. ABSTRACTS OF 56TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT MEETING. 2003. ABSTRACT NO. 156.
- MATNEY, C.A., STRINGHAM, T.K., BOYD, C.S., GRESSWELL, R. GREAT BASIN REDBAND TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS NEWBERRI) HABITAT IMPROVEMENT USING FELLED WESTERN JUNIPER (JUNIPERUS OCCIDENTALIS). EASTERN OREGON AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER. 2003. RANGE SCIENCE SERIES REPORT #6. P13-17.
- SCHAUER, C.S., BOHNERT, D.W., GANSKOPP, D. INFLUENCE OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATIO FREQUENCY ON COWS CONSUMING LOW-QUALITY FORAGE: PERFORMANCE, GRAZING TIME, DISTANCE TRAVELED, DISTANCE FROM WATER AND DISTRIBUTION. PROCEEDINGS OF WESTERN SECTION SOCIETY OF ANIMAL SCIENCE. 2003. V. 54. P. 72-76.
- SVEJCAR, T., BATES, J., ANGELL, R., MILLER, R. THE INFLUENCE OF PRECIPITATION TIMING ON THE SAGEBRUSH STEPPE ECOSYSTEM. MCPHERSON, G., WELTZIN, J., EDITORS. UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA PRESS, TUCSON, AZ. CHANGING PRECIPITATION REGIMES TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS. 2003. P. 90-106.
|
|