Treesearch

Monitoring that follows long-term vegetation changes often requires selection of a temporal baseline. Any such starting point is to some degree artificial, but in some instances there are aids that can be used as guides to baseline selection. Matched photographs duplicating scenes first recorded on film a century or more ago reveal changes that help select the starting point. Interpretation of the observed changes may be strengthened by quantitative measures from permanent long-term study plots established at sites near the photo stations. The gradual infusion of exotic plants and animals...

This study evaluates runoff predictions generated by GeoWEPP (Geo-spatial interface to the Water Erosion Prediction Project) and a modified version of WEPP v98.4 for forest soils. Three small (2 to 9 ha) watersheds in the mountains of the interior Northwest were monitored for several years following timber harvest and prescribed fires. Observed climate variables, percent ground cover, soil erodibility values, and GIS-derived slope data were used to drive the models. Predictions of total yearly runoff generated by GeoWEPP (WEPP v2002.7) and the modified WEPP model were compared to total...

The potential utility of modeling as a park and wilderness management tool has been recognized for decades. Romesburg (1974) explored how mathematical decision modeling could be used to improve decisions about regulation of wilderness use. Cesario (1975) described a computer simulation modeling approach that utilized GPSS (General Purpose Systems Simulator), a simulation language designed to deal with scheduling problems. He identified a number of potential uses and the advantages of using simulation instead of trial and error. In this chapter, we review many of the most important applicati...

This proceedings is a compilation of 30 papers that were presented at the regional meetings of the Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations in the United States in 2004. The joint meeting of the Southern Forest Nursery Association and the Northeastern Forest and Conservation Nursery Association occurred July 12 to 15 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. The meeting was hosted by the South Carolina Forestry Commission, Taylor Nursery. In addition to technical sessions, tours of the Baucom Containerized Nursery and Mead/Westvaco Nursery were included. The Western...

The processes of vegetation change over time, or plant succession, are also the processes involved in plant community restoration. Restoration efforts attempt to use designed disturbance, seedbed preparation and sowing methods, and selection of adapted and compatible native plant materials to enhance ecological function. The large scale of wildfires and weed invasion requires large-scale approaches to restoration. Practices and equipment from traditional rangeland revegetation are being adapted to establish diverse, native communities. The challenge is to meet the establishment requirements...

Due to the emphasis on restoration, native cool-season grass species are increasing in importance in the commercial seed trade in the Western U.S. Cultivated seed production of these native grasses has often been hampered by seed dormancy, seed shattering, and pernicious awns that are advantageous outside of cultivation. Relatively low seed yields and poor seedling establishment have also restricted their cultivation. Most are members of the Triticeae tribe. Bunchgrasses include Snake River wheatgrass (Elymus wawawaiensis), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), basin wildrye...

Habitats and populations of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have declined throughout western North America in response to a myriad of detrimental land uses. Successful restoration of this species' habitat, therefore, is of keen interest to Federal land agencies who oversee management of most remaining habitat. To illustrate the challenges and potential for landscape restoration, we summarized recent findings of restoration modeling for sage-grouse in the Interior Northwest. Changes in amount and quality of habitat were evaluated under proposed Federal management and under...

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum sensu amplo [L.] Gaertn.) is an introduced, caespitose grass that has been seeded on millions of acres of Western rangelands. In some areas, crested wheatgrass seedings overlap with critical sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; C. minimus) habitat, raising the question of how plant diversity might be restored in these closed plant communities. A three-step process is described to reduce crested wheatgrass competition, introduce desired species, and manage to maintain desired species for use long term. Crested wheatgrass is a strong competitor with...

The widespread occurrence of big sagebrush can be attributed to many adaptive features. Big sagebrush plays an essential role in its communities by providing wildlife habitat, modifying local environmental conditions, and facilitating the reestablishment of native herbs. Currently, however, many sagebrush steppe communities are highly fragmented. As a result, restoring big sagebrush is considered a priority in the conservation and rehabilitation of sagebrush steppe ecosystems. Wyoming big sagebrush can often be difficult to establish, because many environmental factors act to restrict its...

Reestablishing big sagebrush on rangelands now dominated by native perennial grasses, introduced perennial grasses, or exotic annual grasses, particularly cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), serves to stabilize soil, improve moisture availability and nutrient recyling, increase biological diversity, and foster community stability and resiliency. A first priority in reseeding is identifying the subspecies of big sagebrush native to the site and procuring adapted, high-quality seed of that subspecies from a similar site. Seed should be planted on firm seedbeds and pressed into the soil to provide...