Research and Publications

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Evaluating strategies for facilitating native plant establishment in northern Nevada crested wheatgrass seedings

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This study concluded that, although increases in native species could possibly be obtained by repeating crested wheatgrass control treatments, reducing crested wheatgrass opens a window for invasion by exotic weed species.

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Beyond the single species climate envelope: A multifaceted approach to mapping climate change vulnerability

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In this article, authors were able to integrate complex interactions, and visualize the distribution of risk across broad spatial scales, providing land managers and researchers a valuable tool for climate change vulnerability assessments and action plans.

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Mapping cheatgrass across the range of the greater sage-grouse

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The information and map products described in this report can help land managers prioritize conservation efforts at the species’ range scale.

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Ecohydrologic impacts of rangeland fire on runoff and erosion: A literature synthesis

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This synthesis presents an ecohydrologic perspective on the effects of fire on rangeland runoff and erosion through a review of scientific literature spanning many decades. Objectives are: (1) to introduce rangeland hydrology and erosion concepts necessary for understanding hydrologic impacts of fire; (2) to describe how climate, vegetation, and soils affect rangeland hydrology and erosion; and (3) to use examples from literature to illustrate how fire interacts with key ecohydrologic relationships. The synthesis is intended to provide a useful reference and conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating impacts of fire on rangeland runoff and erosion.

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Coexisting with fire

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This article from American Scientist discusses the bigger picture of wildfire and offers suggestions on how to coexist with this force of nature in the future. Promoting the right kind of fire—and smarter development—is safer and more cost-effective than fighting a losing battle.

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Smoke management photographic guide: A visual aid for communicating impacts

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The primary purpose of this guide is to serve as a tool for communicating potential particulate matter (PM2.5) levels during wildfire events using visual representation. Examples of visibility impairment under various levels of smoke concentration and humidity have been modeled using the WinHaze program.

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Collaborative science to foster native plant conservation and restoration

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USFS News Release announces the establishment of the Western Center for Native Plant Conservation and Restoration Science. It will include scientists from the three western U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service’s research stations – Pacific Northwest, Pacific Southwest and Rocky Mountain.

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Nevada Society for Range Management Suggested Reading – Summer 2016

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These abstracts of recent papers on range management in the West were prepared by Charlie Clements, Rangeland Scientist, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Reno, NV.

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Greater and Gunnison sage-grouse – A new synthesis from FEIS

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The Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) just completed and published online a synthesis of the biology, ecology, and fire relationships for the greater sage-grouse and Gunnison sage-grouse.

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Restoring desert biocrusts after severe disturbances

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This research brief reports that applying salvaged biocrust material to severely disturbed soil rapidly reestablished favorable biocrust characteristics and stabilized soil more than doing nothing. This is likely a useful restoration strategy when unavoidable soil disturbances are planned and there are opportunities to salvage material.

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