Progress 02/24/07 to 03/26/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) To investigate a wide range of factors controlling the natural and artificial recruitment of new plants to temperate desert rangeland communities. The purpose of these investigations is to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of range improvement, weed control, and restorations. Develop integrated, biologically based weed control methods including classical biological control for selected invasive weeds such as tamarisk. Develop stand renewal processes for native plants. Work with Burns, Oregon unit to develop management systems for sustainable rangelands. Approach (from AD-416) Various criteria will be developed for the identification of high ecological condition range sites in the temperate desert ranges of the Great Basin. Animals representing different taxa and functional groups will be used. Granivorous rodents, which in addition to being abundant and very specious, have major effects on seedling establishment dynamics; diurnal lizards, which are diverse and important insect predators; and ground and foliage dwelling insects, which include both habitat generalists and a variety of very specialized species representing various trophic levels that might be good indicators of ecological status, will be studied. Also, levels of genetic variation of selected plants and animals will be compared between high and low ecological condition sites to determine effects of disturbance on genetic diversity. Experiments will be conducted to understand the seed and seedbed ecology of several native and non-native shrubs. Herbicides and tillage will be used to vary content of completing vegetation as it affects shrub extablishment success. Replacing 5325-11220-002-00D (8/07). Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations The project was operating under a Bridging project during FY07 through early FY 2009 as new scientists and a Research Leader was hired. The project was terminated in early FY 2009 as a normal part of establishing National Program (215) Pasture, Forage and Range Land Systems. A new project plan was developed and has been implemented. This project's research is fully documented in the new project 5325-11220-006-00D; Integrated invasive species control, revegetation, and assessment of Great Basin rangelands.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Ashley, M.C., Longland, W.S. 2007. Microsatellite evidence of facultative outcrossing in cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum): Implications for the evolution of invasiveness. Plant Species Biology. 22:197-204.
- Rau, B., Chambers, J., Blank, R.R., Johnson, D. 2008. Prescribed Fire, Soil, and Plants: Burn Effects and Interactions in the Central Great Basin. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 61:169-181.
- Thorne, R.F., Schoenherr, A.A., Clements, C.D, Young, J.A. 2007. Northern Juniper Woodlands. In: Barbour, M.G., Keeler-Wolf, T., and Schoenherr, A.A. , editors. Terrestial Vegetation of California, 3rd Edition. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. p. 574-586.
- Young, J.A., Clements, C.D., Harmon, D.N. 2007. Shieldcress. Rangelands. 29(4):33-37.
- Young, J.A., Clements, C.D, Jansen, C.H. 2007. Sagebrush Steppe. In: Barbour, M.G., Keeler-Wolf, T., and Schoenherr, A.A., editors. Terrestial Vegetation of California, 3rd Edition. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. p. 587-608.
- Young, J.A., Clements, C.D. 2007. Cheatgrass and Grazing Rangelands. Rangelands. 29(6):15-20.
- Longland, W.S. 2007. Desert rodents reduce seedling recruitment of salsola paulsenii. Western North American Naturalist. 67:378-383.
- Blank, R.R. 2008. Biogeochemistry of plant invasion: a case study with bromus tectorum l. Journal of Invasive Plant Science and Management. 1:226- 238.
- Rau, B.M., Blank, R.R., Chambers, J.C., Johnson, D.W. 2007. Prescribed fire in a Great Basin sagebrush ecosystem: Dynamics of soil extractable nitrogen and phosphorus. Journal of Arid Environments. 71:362-375.
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