Quantification and comparison of morphological changes over the last ~300 y in Oregon salt marshes provide valuable insights into the tectonic, hydroclimatic, and anthropogenic processes shaping this important intertidal zone. Understanding of the rates and drivers of salt marsh change contextualizes intertidal habitats within the sediment routing system (i.e., source...
The rates of biological introductions and invasions are increasing, driving up the associated harms to ecosystems and economies. The spread and effects of invasive organisms depend on the specifics of the introduction, the character of the invaded ecosystem, and multiple traits of the invasive organism itself. One mechanism by which...
The Pacific Northwest region of the United States is known for quality production of blueberries, blackberries, and red raspberries. However, as the climate shifts to warmer, drier, and more extreme summers, growing these water intensive berry crops is becoming increasingly difficult. Furthermore, water regulations within agriculture are becoming more prevalent...
Society derives many critical and irreplaceable values from forests. With a growing global human population and rates of consumption, forests are under increasing pressure to provide all these values simultaneously. To meet societal demands for wood products, tree plantations are becoming increasingly common and are replacing native forests. Yet, forests...
Despite the importance of fire for maintaining the health of many ecosystems, the social and economic costs of wildfires have risen sharply in recent years. Across the western United States, historical land and fire management practices combined with climate change and modern human development pressures, are contributing to increased wildfire...
The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina; spotted owl) is of conservation concern and endemic to mature forests of the Pacific Northwest. Adult survival has a strong effect on population growth rate, but juvenile survival and recruitment are also important components of population change. Despite the importance of this life...
Grasslands in the Pacific Northwest are characterized by seasonally wet, acidic soils that mainly support cool season grasses and a limited number of legume species. A major limitation to efficient animal production in grass-dominant pastures is the decline in the herbage growth rate and nutritional quality of forage from late...
The epiphytic lichen Letharia vulpina has been commonly sampled in-situ for nitrogen (N) deposition biomonitoring studies but has never before been transplanted for this purpose. In the high-elevation wilderness areas of southern California Letharia vulpina is generally uncommon, making in-situ sampling difficult. In this study, we compared thallus N accumulation...