Project Number: 5325-11220-005-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 24, 2007
End Date: Feb 23, 2009

Objective:
To investigate a wide range of factors controlling the natural and artificial recruitment of new plants to temperate desert rangeland communities. The purpose of these investigations is to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of range improvement, weed control, and restorations. Develop integrated, biologically based weed control methods including classical biological control for selected invasive weeds such as tamarisk. Develop stand renewal processes for native plants. Work with Burns, Oregon unit to develop management systems for sustainable rangelands.

Approach:
Various criteria will be developed for the identification of high ecological condition range sites in the temperate desert ranges of the Great Basin. Animals representing different taxa and functional groups will be used. Granivorous rodents, which in addition to being abundant and very specious, have major effects on seedling establishment dynamics; diurnal lizards, which are diverse and important insect predators; and ground and foliage dwelling insects, which include both habitat generalists and a variety of very specialized species representing various trophic levels that might be good indicators of ecological status, will be studied. Also, levels of genetic variation of selected plants and animals will be compared between high and low ecological condition sites to determine effects of disturbance on genetic diversity. Experiments will be conducted to understand the seed and seedbed ecology of several native and non-native shrubs. Herbicides and tillage will be used to vary content of completing vegetation as it affects shrub extablishment success. Replacing 5325-11220-002-00D (8/07).