Treesearch

Sagebrush (Artemisia) taxa have historically been the landscape dominants over much of the Northern Yellowstone Winter Range (NYWR). Their importance to the unnaturally large ungulate populations on the NYWR throughout the twentieth century has been recognized since the 1920s. Sagebrush-herbivore ecology has been the focus of research on the NYWR for 2 decades. Specific research topics include general ungulate use of the NYWR, forage relationships involving sagebrush taxa, the effects of browsing and sagebrush taxa on forage production, the results of long-term rest from severe browsing on...

Large tracts of important sagebrush (Artemisia L.) habitat in southeastern Idaho, including thousands of acres at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), continue to be lost and degraded through wildland fire and other disturbances. The roles of most insects in sagebrush ecosystems are not well understood, and the effects of habitat loss and alteration on their populations and communities have not been well studied. Although a comprehensive survey of insects at the INL has not been performed, smaller scale studies have been concentrated in sagebrush and associated communities at the site....

We studied home range, habitat use, and vital rates of radio-marked Mexican spotted owls (Strix occidentalis lucida) in 2 study areas in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico. One study area (mesic) was dominated by mixed-conifer forest, the other (xeric) by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest and pinon (P. edulis)-juniper (Juniperus) woodland. Based on existing knowledge of relative use of forest types by Mexican spotted owls, we predicted that the mesic area would provide habitat of higher quality for spotted owls. Results generally supported this prediction. Median home-range size...

This chapter focuses on small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that inhabit the grasslands within the Southwestern Region of the USDA Forest Service. The chapter is not intended to be an all inclusive list of species, but rather to address the species that play important roles in grassland ecosystems and that often are associated with the management of grasslands. Among the larger rodents discussed here are prairie dogs and pocket gophers. The small rodents include deer mice, voles, kangaroo rats, and pocket mice. Nonrodent species described in this chapter include the endangered black-foo...

The world possesses an amazing number and variety of freshwater fishes. Fish, the most diverse taxon on Earth, exhibit more species than all vertebrate taxa combined (Hocutt and Wiley 1986, May 1988, Nelson 1994, Matthews 1998) (table 5-1). Worldwide, an estimated 28,500 fish species are in 57 orders and 482 families (Nelson 1994). The North American freshwater fish fauna is also relatively rich and highly diverse ranging from primitive forms such as the Petromyzontidae (lampreys) to more modern and advanced forms such as the Percidae (perches) (Miller 1959, Gilbert 1976, Briggs 1986,...

Assessing viability of stream populations of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) and identifying streams suitable for establishing populations are priorities in the western United States, and a model was recently developed to predict translocation success (as defined by an index of population size) of two subspecies based on mean July water temperature, pool bankfull width, and deep pools counts. To determine whether the translocation model applied to streams elsewhere with more precise abundance estimates, we examined the relation between electrofishing-based estimates of cutthroat...

This report presents a summary of the most recent inventory information for Wyoming's forest lands. The report includes descriptive highlights and tables of area, number of trees, biomass, volume, growth, mortality, removals, and net change. Most of the tables are organized by forest type, species, diameter class, or owner group. The report also describes inventory design, inventory terminology, and data reliability. Results show that about 18 percent, or 11.4 million acres, of the total land area of Wyoming is forest land. Fifty-three percent of the forest land is administered by the USDA...

This state-of-knowledge review about the effects of fire on soils and water can assist land and fire managers with information on the physical, chemical, and biological effects of fire needed to successfully conduct ecosystem management, and effectively inform others about the role and impacts of wildland fire. Chapter topics include the soil resource, soil physical properties and fire, soil chemistry effects, soil biology responses, the hydrologic cycle and water resources, water quality, aquatic biology, fire effects on wetland and riparian systems, fire effects models, and watershed...

Grand Fir Mosaic habitats are difficult to regenerate because of pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) and successional plant communities dominated by bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis). This study tested reforestation practices recommended by previous research, tested hypotheses about the effects of overstory shade on regeneration success, and documented secondary succession. Natural regeneration is not a reliable reforestation method on Grand Fir Mosaic sites. Clearcut and planting was the best regeneration method if pocket gophers are...

This General Technical Report (GTR) addresses monitoring strategies for terrestrial animals and habitats. It focuses on monitoring associated with National Forest Management Act planning and is intended to apply primarily to monitoring efforts that are broader than individual National Forests. Primary topics covered in the GTR are monitoring requirements; ongoing monitoring programs; key monitoring questions and measures; balancing three necessary and complementary forms of monitoring (targeted, cause-and-effect, and context); sampling design and statistical considerations; use of the data...