Treesearch

The use of eDNA sampling for fish and amphibian monitoring is widely known. Fisheries biologists, in particular, have embraced the eDNA revolution. Over 150 papers in the published literature used sampled water for the detection of everything from minnows (Rhinichthys cobitis and Meda fulgida; Dysthe et al. 2017) to whale sharks (Rhincodon typus; Sigsgaard et al. 2016).It is increasingly clear, however, that eDNA sampling also has much to offer wildlife biologistsworking with mammals, birds and other taxa.

Large, high-severity wildfires alter the ecological processes that determine how watersheds retain and release nutrients and affect stream water quality. These changes usually abate a few years after a fire but recent studies indicate they may persist longer than previously expected. Wildfires are a natural disturbance agent, but due to the increased frequency and extent of high-severity wildfires predicted for western North America, it is important to better understand their consequences on surface water.

The Colorado Water Plan is a collaborative framework that sets forth objectives, goals and actions by which Coloradans can collectively address current and future water challenges through feasible and innovative solutions. As a majority of the state’s water supply flows from forested watersheds, the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), a service and outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, is an active partner in working to achieve these goals.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) encompass much of central California's most stunning scenery. Dramatic peaks and passes, perennial snowfields, remote lake basins, alpine meadows, steep canyons, and shockingly big trees characterize the more than 800,000 acres of wild land that lie within the parks. Drought-resistant chaparral and blue oak woodlands blanket SEKI's low-elevation western slopes, while stark mountain summits (some more than 14,000 feet high) define its eastern boundary. Giant Sequoias-up to 270 feet tall and 30 feet in diameter-stand in sharp contrast to the...

We collected field and remotely sensed data spanning 10 years after three 2003 Montana wildfires to monitor ecological change across multiple temporal and spatial scales. Multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis was used to create post-fire maps of: char, soil, green (GV) and non-photosynthetic (NPV) vegetation from high-resolution 2003 hyperspectral (HS) and 2007 QuickBird (QB) imagery, and from Landsat 5 and 8 imagery collected on anniversary dates in 2002, 2003 (post fire), 2004, 2007 and 2013. Initial estimates of char and NPV from the HS images were significantly correlated with...

Multidecadal trends in areas burned with high severity shape ecological effects of fires, but most assessments are limited to ~30 years of satellite data. We analysed the proportion of area burned with high severity, the annual area burned with high severity, the probability areas burned with high severity and also the area reburned (all severities and high burn severity only) over 133 years across 346,265 ha within the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness (SBW) Area in Idaho, United States. We used burn severity class inferred from digitised aerial photography (1880-2000) and satellite imagery...

Currently, Armillaria root disease causes large growth/volume losses (e.g., 16-55%) in areas of western North America (Filip and Goheen 1984; Cruickshank 2011; Lockman and Kearns 2016). Armillaria root disease is typically more severe in trees that are maladapted to climate-induced stress (Ayres and Lombardero 2000; Kliejunas et al. 2009; Sturrock 2011). Thus, it is likely that climate change will further exacerbate damage from Armillaria root disease, which can further predispose trees to beetle attack (e.g.,Hertert et al. 1975; Tkacz and Schmitz 1986; Goheen and Hansen 1993).

Phellinus noxius (Corner) G. H. Cunn is a vastly destructive, fast-growing pathogen that affects a wide range of woody hosts in pan-tropical areas, including Asia, Australia, Africa, and Oceania (Ann et al. 2002). This invasive pathogen causes brown root-rot disease on cacao, coffee, and rubber, as well as diverse fruit, nut, ornamental, and other native/exotic trees, and little host specificity is known to occur (Sahashi et al. 2010). Symptoms of P. noxius infection can include reduced tree growth, defoliation, and branch dieback; however, P. noxius can also survive as a saprophyte by...

We investigated survival, reproduction, and population growth (λ) for a declining elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) population in South Dakota, USA, 2011-2015. We obtained survival data from 125 calves and 34 yearlings. We determined survival and pregnancy rates for 42 adults (2-8 years old) and 39 old adults (≥8 years old). We combined population vital rates into a matrix model, which indicated a slightly growing population but with considerable uncertainty (math formula = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.93-1.13). Our elasticity analysis suggested asymptotic growth rates were most sensitive to proportional...

Cut-to-length (CTL) harvest systems have recently been introduced for thinning third-growth, young (<25 years old) redwood forests (Sequoia sempervirens (Lamb. ex D. Don) Endl.) in northern California. This type of harvesting can effective for thinning overstocked stands consisting of small-diameter trees. However, forestland managers and government agencies overseeing forest operations have concerns about potential environmental impacts such as soil compaction or damage to remaining trees because harvesting often occurs when the soil is wet. This study was designed to (1) determine...