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Reducing cheatgrass has been a primary research topic and goal of ecological restoration for over 50 years. Our work examined published studies between 1946 and 2012 to identify how a broad range of control methods influence cheatgrass and perennial grass abundance. Based on this assessment, we identify obstacles encountered in achieving desired restoration and clarify what research is needed to develop improved mechanistic control strategies. Jeremy Maestas, Ecologist, USDA-NRCS, and Tom Monaco, Ecologist at USDA-ARS and USU, present.
This webinar is the first in our 2018 Webinar Series: Moving the Needle on Cheatgrass: Putting What We Know into Practice.
Conversion of native rangelands to cheatgrass, and subsequent impacts on wildfire regimes, are one of the most challenging threats to sagebrush ecosystems today. The widespread and complex nature of the problem and lack of clarity on effective management actions are often barriers to implementing meaningful treatments and practices to reduce risks. Although there is no silver bullet, combining cheatgrass reduction treatments with promotion or restoration of perennial vegetation in an integrated, adaptive management framework can move the needle toward maintenance and recovery of functioning ecosystems. This webinar series will provide information on integrated management approaches using specific strategies and proven tools.
The series covered the following topics and featured the following presenters, follow the links to the webinar recordings:
3/8 – Cheatgrass control methods and their impacts on perennial grasses: A systematic review spanning 64 years (Tom Monaco, ARS)
Cheatgrass control_Webinar
Cheatgrass control_Summary
4/4 – Herbicides for cheatgrass: What works? (Richard Lee, BLM)
Herbicides_Webinar
Herbicides_ Summary
4/11 – Grazing to maintain perennial grasses and reduce nonnative annuals (Kirk Davies, ARS)
GrazingWeeds_Webinar
GrazingWeeds_Summary
4/25 – Capitalizing on strategic opportunities: Examples from the field (Brian Mealor, UW and Mike Pellant, BLM-retired)
Strategies_Webinar
Strategies_Summary
5/9 – Ecologically Based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM): Lessons from the area-wide demonstration project (Roger Sheley, ARS)
EBIPM_Webinar
EBIPM_Summary
Brought to you by the Great Basin Fire Science Exchange, in partnership with the USDA/NRCS, Sage Grouse Initiative, BLM, ARS, and FS.
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Researchers from the USFS PNW Research Station and Case Research synthesized model projections of changes in vegetation and fire across tribal lands in the PNW. They will demonstrate how these changes will impact economically and culturally important ecosystem services and how this information can be used for adaptation planning.
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Large wildfire incidence has increased in forests throughout the western U.S. following changes in vegetation structure and pattern, along with a changing climate. Given this increase there is great interest in whether fuels treatments and previous wildfire can alter fire severity patterns in large wildfires. The 255,000 acre 2013 Rim Fire created an opportunity to study fuels treatment effects across a large forested landscape in the Sierra Nevada. We assessed the relative influence of previous fuels treatments (including wildfire), fire weather, vegetation and water balance on Rim Fire severity. We did this at three different spatial scales to investigate whether the influences on fire severity changed across scales.
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The World of Wildland Fire vision is to provide and connect fire science educators, trainers, and the public with scientifically solid and peer-reviewed teaching tools and techniques, using state-of-the-art materials, which will be free and accessible to all. This is done to significantly enhance the learning experience.
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The GBLCC Conservation Planning Atlas (CPA) is an important aspect of our effort to engage a landscape focus and best available science toward improving collaboration and maximizing conservation efforts in the Great Basin. Incorporating over 1000 spatial data layers related to conservation of the Great Basin region’s many natural and cultural resources, the CPA provides managers, researchers and planners from state, federal, local, NGO and private partners a valuable suite of tools for collaborative spatial planning. In short, the portal represents a single website to access regional spatial layers, decision support tools, and Great Basin LCC project information and products.
GBLCC’s Geospatial Data Specialist, Eric Jensen will be joined by Conservation Biology Institute’s Kai Henifin to share about the CPA. Together we will dive into navigation of the portal, data, tools and publications available, and the Data Basin suite of collaborative features—such as Groups, sharing and comment threads. Finally, we’ll explore current use cases and share information about how you or your group can leverage the CPA for your own projects and planning.
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In part due to its vegetative strategy, western aspen is host to a large number of insects and diseases. However, only a few are agents of significant impact that can cause or warn of substantial changes in the condition of aspen clones. Environmental conditions, particularly drought stress, also play an integral role in the life cycle of the important insects and diseases of aspen, and regional droughts were the triggering factor in the initiation of the most notable instances of substantial aspen dieback and decline.
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The webinar “An All Lands Approach to Grazing Management” examined cross-boundary strategies for cooperative grazing management between a variety of federal and state agencies in Idaho. These efforts seek to achieve a more flexible management system across ownership boundaries to better respond to various rangeland challenges. Moderator: Curtis Elke, State Conservationist for Idaho, USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service. Panelists: Karen Launchbaugh, Director, University of Idaho Rangeland Center; Dustin Miller, Administrator, Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation; Chris Black, Chair, Board of Directors, Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission; June Shoemaker, Idaho State Director for Resources, Bureau of Land Management. This webinar is part of the series for the National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative, the Chairman’s Initiative of WGA Chair and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock.
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Bear grass (Xerophyllum tenax) and California Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. californica) are two Nontimber Forest Products (NTFPs) harvested by American Indians for basket weaving in the Pacific Northwest. Good quality leaves and stems for basket weaving are reliant on the periodic burning of these plant species. In this webinar we will discuss how fire and other ecological variables affect the growth and quality of these species, the collaborative management of these plants by American Indians and public agencies, and what implications our findings have for the future management of these resources.
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One of the greatest challenges facing landscape conservation is how to ensure ecosystem-wide conservation goals, such as those articulated in Landscape Conservation Designs, can effectively inform local management plans and actions. Developing feasible conservation goals and useful landscape planning products requires participation by local stakeholders. However, opportunities for these stakeholders to engage in planning processes are often limited. This webinar will examine the role of local stakeholders and human dimensions thinking in transboundary resource conservation. Catherine Doyle-Capitman, Doctoral Candidate at Cornell University, will highlight the role of local stakeholders in bridging the gap between conservation planning and management implementation. She will then present best practice guidance for engaging local stakeholders and integrating social data into landscape conservation decision processes.