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This review proposes a classification framework for aspen that is defined by key fire regime parameters (fire severity and probability), and that reflects underlying biophysical settings and correlated aspen functional types. Five aspen fire regime types are proposed: (1) fire-independent, stable aspen; (2) fire-influenced, stable aspen; (3) fire-dependent, seral, conifer-aspen mix; (4) fire-dependent, seral, montane aspen-conifer; and (5) fire-dependent, seral, subalpine aspen-conifer.
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Opinion piece in the Washington Post by Crystal Kolden, fire ecologist and assistant professor of geography at the University of Idaho, where she heads the pyrogeography lab.
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In a study of arid areas of western North America, soil inclusions called slickspots, which are saltier than adjacent soil and support different types of native vegetation, USGS scientists monitored slickspot size and cover of endangered slickspot peppergrass for two years to see if they were affected by the application of glyphosate or by a minimum-till drill in the Snake River Plain, ID. The researchers concluded that slickspot sizes were not affected by these treatments.
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This study investigated factors controlling cheatgrass invasions in sagebrush systems, including the influence of livestock grazing. It found that cheatgrass invasion was limited where few and small gaps existed between bunchgrass and where biological soil crusts were present to stabilize soil and limit cheatgrass establishment. Results also suggest that grazing reduces invasion resistance by decreasing bunchgrass abundance and trampling biological soil crusts. Managing grazing to ensure abundance and variety of bunchgrasses and to preserve biological soil crusts could help restore sagebrush ecosystems.
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This study analyzed trends in surface air temperature and temperature extremes in the Great Basin during 1901–2010. Researchers found that annual average daily minimum temperature increased significantly during the study period, with daily maximum temperature increasing only slightly. The results of this study suggest that continuation of the overall warming trend would lead to markedly warmer conditions in upcoming decades.
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For this study, hydrothermal germination models and a soil energy and water flux model were used to evaluate intra- and interannual variability in seedbed microclimate relative to potential germination response of six perennial grasses and cheatgrass.
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This synthesis (Chapter 4 in Invasive Plant Ecology and Management) approaches restoration with the understanding that precipitation, solar radiation, wind speed, air temperature, and humidity are principal drivers controlling energy and water flux in plant communities.
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Results of this study identify attributes important for delineating habitats or modeling connectivity, which will facilitate conservation and management of landscapes important for supporting current and future sage-grouse populations.
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This purpose of this article is to outline how weather and climate information can be used to facilitate Ecologically-Based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM) and adaptive management planning. The discussion follows the eight steps to adaptive management outlined in EBIPM planning guides.
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This study evaluated restoration efforts applied to grasslands dominated by an invasive plant, sulfur cinquefoil, 6 yr after treatments. Of the five herbicides evaluated, picloram continued to provide the best control of sulfur cinquefoil over 6 yr. Plots with picloram applied in the fall had greater native forb cover. Seeding resulted in a 20% decrease in exotic grass cover. Successful establishment of native perennial grasses was not apparent until 6 yr after seeding. Our study found integrating herbicide application and the addition of native grass seed to be an effective grassland restoration strategy, at least in the case where livestock are excluded.