Episodic occurrence of favourable weather constrains recovery of a cold desert shrubland after fire

Alexandra K. Urza; Peter J. Weisberg; David Board; Jeanne C. Chambers; Stanley G. Kitchen; Bruce A. Roundy

doi:10.1111/1365-2664.13911

Treesearch

Episodic occurrence of favourable weather constrains recovery of a cold desert shrubland after fire

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Alexandra K. Urza, Peter J. Weisberg, David Board, Jeanne C. Chambers, Stanley G. Kitchen, Bruce A. Roundy

Year:

2021

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13911

Source:

Journal of Applied Ecology. 58: 1776-1789.

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Download (PDF 1.47 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/62673.pdf

Abstract

Key to the long-term resilience of dryland ecosystems is the recovery of foundation plant species following disturbance. In ecosystems with high interannual weather variability, understanding the influence of short-term environmental conditions on establishment of foundation species is essential for identifying vulnerable landscapes and developing restoration strategies. We asked how annual environmental conditions affect post-fire establishment of Artemisia tridentata, a shrub species that dominates landscapes across much of the western United States, and evaluated the influence of episodic establishment on population recovery.

Keywords

annual weather conditions, big sagebrush, ecological restoration, favourable weather, plant establishment, post-fire recovery, prescribed fire, resource pulses

Citation

Urza, Alexandra K.; Weisberg, Peter J.; Board, David; Chambers, Jeanne C.; Kitchen, Stanley G.; Roundy, Bruce A. 2021. Episodic occurrence of favourable weather constrains recovery of a cold desert shrubland after fire. Journal of Applied Ecology. 58: 1776-1789.