Pacific Southwest Research Station

Habitat Improvement

The Tahoe basin harbors species and ecological communities of special concern because of their rarity or vulnerability. Scientific research is helping to better manage and conserve these special communities and species, including:

• Tahoe yellow cress (Rorippa subumbellata)
• Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi)
• Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
• American marten (Martes americana)
• Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana)
• Western white pine (Pinus monticola)
• Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis)

Additional research is underway to assess and counter the establishment or proliferation of invasive species, including:

• Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
• Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
• Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)
• Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)
• New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
• Quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis)
• Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)
• Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
• Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
• Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
• Brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus)

Current Research Projects

Hydrologic response of sub-alpine wetlands to climate change, Tahoe basin

Development of a risk model to determine the expansion and potential environmental impacts of Asian clams in Lake Tahoe

Evaluating effects of ski resorts on American marten

Modeling cheatgrass invasion risk

Restoration and fuel treatment of riparian forests

Restoration of sugar pine

Threats to white pines