A tenfold expansion of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis spp.
occidentalis) into the sagebrush steppe has led to the degradation of the
economic and ecological potential of these landscapes. Land managers have
enacted numerous methods to reduce distributions and densities of these trees.
Assessment of above ground juniper biomass, expressed overall...
Current research indicates that the expansion of
western juniper can inhibit soil water retention, storage
and prolonged releases from watersheds. This phenomenon
is of great importance in eastern Oregon, as western
juniper is encroaching into sagebrush/grass communities
with a correlated reduction in herbaceous ground cover,
resulting in reduced infiltration rates...
Rangelands span over 50% of the globe and approximately 70% of the United States. Although livestock production is an important use of rangelands, the benefits of rangelands are highly diverse. Humans find intrinsic value in protecting these unique and variable landscapes for wildlife, vegetation, and recreation enthusiasts. Woodland plant encroachment...
On piñon-juniper encroached sites that lack the understory fuels to carry a prescribed fire, treatment options are limited to mechanical methods. Cutting with chainsaws and leaving the trees on site has been the primary treatment method for such sites, however this method creates a potential fire hazard, particularly in the...
Juniper is a native species to Oregon and confers ecological benefits to wildlife when it is at savannah and transitional densities. Its range and extent have fluctuated with climatic change, but the current range expansion is unprecedented in its extent. The range expansion has been associated with the degradation of...
Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook) is a species of juniper native to arid regions of the Pacific Northwest. The western juniper tree has a number of competitive strategies that, in conjunction with an almost complete removal of fire from the ecosystem, have resulted in a significant expansion of its population...
Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) encroachment has been associated with increased soil loss and reduced infiltration resulting in the loss of native herbaceous plant communities and the bird and animal species that rely on them. Hydrologically, however, change in water yield has been linked with the amount of annual precipitation a...
Shrub-steppe ecosystems of western North America provide habitat for many wildlife species, are important components of public and private rangelands, and offer recreational opportunities for millions of people. They are some of the most vulnerable ecosystems in the United States and have been altered by human activities such as livestock...