Research Teams

Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystem Research Program

The Rocky Mountain Research Station was recently restructured into eight science program areas.  The Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystem Research Program addresses the biology, use, management, and restoration of public lands dominated by grasses and shrubs.  Scientists of the research program are located in laboratories in Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, South Dakota, and Utah. RMRS scientists, cooperating scientists, and land managers are working on solving ecological problems, identifying and developing native plants for restoration, controlling and managing invasive weeds, and improving wildlife habitats and rangelands.

Boise Research Team

The cycle of wildfires and annual weed invasion has altered millions of acres of western shrublands and grasslands, disrupted ecosystem functioning, increased wildfire size and frequency, reduced plant and animal diversity, and set the stage for invasion by secondary perennial weeds that are even more difficult to control.  Active restoration in the Great Basin requires the availability of adequate and genetically appropriate native seed supplies and effective means of reestablishing native communities on disturbed wildlands.  

Our research focuses on the development of native Great Basin species for use in restoration including plant selection, seed technology, agricultural seed production practices, seed increase, and improved knowledge of invasive species biology and ecology.  New studies are focusing on effective strategies and technologies to improve establishment of native species and communities.

Boise Personnel

        Nancy Shaw, Research Botanist 

        Amy Ganguli, Post-doctoral Research Ecologist

        Erin Denney, Biological Science Technician

        Matt Fisk, Biological Science Technician (Plants)

        Jan Gurr, Biological Technician (Botany)

        Kelsey Sherich, Biological Science Technician (Plants)

        Nick Williams, Biological Science Technician (Plants)

See our Research Work Unit Description

RMRS - Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystem Research Program

For comments on this webpage, contact Kelsey Sherich at ksherich [at] fs.fed.us