The rapid expansion of western juniper into neighboring plant communities during the past 130 years has caused considerable concern because of increased soil erosion, reduced stream
flows; reduced forage production; altered wildlife habitat; changes in plant community composition, structure, and biodiversity; and the replacement of mesic and semi-arid plant communities...
Montane forest vegetation as it occurs on the east flank of the
central Oregon Cascades has provided excellent conditions for a
"natural experiment" in the use of various methodologies in studying
vegetational distribution. This "experiment" has reflected on some
theory and practice for the discipline of plant synecology. Detailed
descriptions,...
Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) has been actively invading the shrub steppe community for the past 120
years. Active fire suppression, overstocking of livestock in the late 1800's, along with a wetter than normal period in
the latter half of the 19th century, has allowed juniper to encroach into areas where...
Understanding the effects of disturbance and restoration on a species’ habitat is essential for understanding the demographic rates and population trends observed in a species. Sufficient habitat provides the space and resources required for survival and successful reproduction, such as food availability, access to water, protection from predators, protection from...
The Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) is an integrated long-term study that evaluates ecological effects of alternative treatments designed to reduce woody fuels and to stimulate the herbaceous understory of sagebrush steppe communities of the Intermountain West. This synopsis summarizes results through 3 yr posttreatment. Woody vegetation reduction by...
Current paradigm suggests that spatial and temporal competition for resources limit an exotic invader, cheatgrass (Bromus
tectorum L.), which once established, alters fire regimes and can result in annual grass dominance in sagebrush steppe.
Prescribed fire and fire surrogate treatments (mowing, tebuthiuron, and imazapic) are used to reduce woody fuels...