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Price SJ, Germino MJ. Variability in weather and site properties affect fuel and fire behavior following fuel treatments in semiarid sagebrush-steppe. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 353:120154. [PMID: 38308992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Fuel-treatments targeting shrubs and fire-prone exotic annual grasses (EAGs) are increasingly used to mitigate increased wildfire risks in arid and semiarid environments, and understanding their response to natural factors is needed for effective landscape management. Using field-data collected over four years from fuel-break treatments in semiarid sagebrush-steppe, we asked 1) how the outcomes of EAG and sagebrush fuel treatments varied with site biophysical properties, climate, and weather, and 2) how predictions of fire behavior using the Fuel Characteristic Classification System fire model related to land-management objectives of maintaining fire behavior expected of low-load, dry-climate grasslands. Generalized linear mixed effect modeling with build-up model selection was used to determine best-fit models, and marginal effects plots to assess responses for each fuel type. EAG cover decreased as antecedent-fall precipitation increased and increased as antecedent-spring temperatures and surface soil clay contents increased. Herbicides targeting EAGs were less effective where pre-treatment EAG cover was >40 % and antecedent spring temperatures were >9.5 °C. Sagebrush cover was inversely related to soil clay content, especially where clay contents were >17 %. Predicted fire behavior exceeded management objectives under 1) average fire weather conditions when EAG or sagebrush cover was >50 % or >26 %, respectively, or 2) extreme fire weather conditions when EAG or sagebrush cover was >10 % or >8 %, respectively. Consideration of the strong effects of natural variability in site properties and antecedent weather can help in justifying, planning and implementing fuel-treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Jake Price
- US Geological Service, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise ID, 83702, USA
| | - Matthew J Germino
- US Geological Service, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise ID, 83702, USA.
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McIver J, Grace JB, Roundy B. Piñon and juniper tree removal increases available soil water, driving understory response in a sage‐steppe ecosystem. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- James McIver
- Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Station Oregon State University Union Oregon USA
| | - James B. Grace
- U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center Lafayette Louisiana USA
| | - Bruce Roundy
- Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USA
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3
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Arkle RS, Pilliod DS, Germino MJ, Jeffries MI, Welty JL. Reestablishing a foundational species: Limitations on post‐wildfire sagebrush seedling establishment. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert S. Arkle
- U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - David S. Pilliod
- U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - Matthew J. Germino
- U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - Michelle I. Jeffries
- U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - Justin L. Welty
- U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
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Pyke DA, Shaff SE, Chambers JC, Schupp EW, Newingham BA, Gray ML, Ellsworth LM. Ten‐year ecological responses to fuel treatments within semiarid Wyoming big sagebrush ecosystems. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Pyke
- U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Scott E. Shaff
- U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Corvallis Oregon USA
| | - Jeanne C. Chambers
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Reno Nevada USA
| | - Eugene W. Schupp
- Department of Wildland Resources/Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah USA
| | - Beth A. Newingham
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit Reno Nevada USA
| | - Margaret L. Gray
- Department of Wildland Resources/Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah USA
| | - Lisa M. Ellsworth
- Fisheries and Wildlife Department Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon USA
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Patterns of post-fire invasion of semiarid shrub-steppe reveals a diversity of invasion niches within an exotic annual grass community. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02669-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Urza AK, Weisberg PJ, Board D, Chambers JC, Kitchen SG, Roundy BA. Episodic occurrence of favourable weather constrains recovery of a cold desert shrubland after fire. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K. Urza
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Reno NV USA
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology Graduate Program University of Nevada Reno NV USA
| | - Peter J. Weisberg
- Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology Graduate Program University of Nevada Reno NV USA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science University of Nevada Reno NV USA
| | - David Board
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Reno NV USA
| | | | | | - Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT USA
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Chambers JC, Urza AK, Board DI, Miller RF, Pyke DA, Roundy BA, Schupp EW, Tausch RJ. Sagebrush recovery patterns after fuel treatments mediated by disturbance type and plant functional group interactions. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra K. Urza
- Rocky Mountain Research Station USDA Forest Service Reno Nevada89512USA
| | - David I. Board
- Rocky Mountain Research Station USDA Forest Service Reno Nevada89512USA
| | - Richard F. Miller
- Department of Range and Animal Science Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon97331USA
| | - David A. Pyke
- Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center U.S. Geological Survey Corvallis Oregon97331USA
| | - Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah84602USA
| | - Eugene W. Schupp
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah84322USA
| | - Robin J. Tausch
- Rocky Mountain Research Station USDA Forest Service Reno Nevada89512USA
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Roundy BA, Chambers JC. Effects of elevation and selective disturbance on soil climate and vegetation in big sagebrush communities. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah84602USA
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McMahon DE, Urza AK, Brown JL, Phelan C, Chambers JC. Modelling species distributions and environmental suitability highlights risk of plant invasions in western United States. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Devin E. McMahon
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Reno NV USA
- USDA Forest Service Six Rivers National Forest Eureka CA USA
| | | | | | - Conor Phelan
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science University of Nevada Reno NV USA
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Freund SM, Newingham BA, Chambers JC, Urza AK, Roundy BA, Cushman JH. Plant functional groups and species contribute to ecological resilience a decade after woodland expansion treatments. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Freund
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science University of Nevada, Reno Reno Nevada89557USA
| | - Beth A. Newingham
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science University of Nevada, Reno Reno Nevada89557USA
- Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit USDA Agricultural Research Service Reno Nevada89512USA
| | | | - Alexandra K. Urza
- Rocky Mountain Research Station USDA Forest Service Reno Nevada89509USA
| | - Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah84602USA
| | - J. Hall Cushman
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science University of Nevada, Reno Reno Nevada89557USA
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Roundy BA, Miller RF, Tausch RJ, Chambers JC, Rau BM. Long‐term effects of tree expansion and reduction on soil climate in a semiarid ecosystem. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah84602USA
| | - R. F. Miller
- Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon97331USA
| | - R. J. Tausch
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Reno Nevada89521USA
| | - J. C. Chambers
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Reno Nevada89521USA
| | - B. M. Rau
- USGS New England Water Science Center Northborough Massachusetts01532USA
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Monaco TA, Gunnell KL. Understory Vegetation Change Following Woodland Reduction Varies by Plant Community Type and Seeding Status: A Region-Wide Assessment of Ecological Benefits and Risks. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 9:E1113. [PMID: 32872167 PMCID: PMC7570382 DOI: 10.3390/plants9091113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Woodland encroachment is a global issue linked to diminished ecosystem services, prompting the need for restoration efforts. However, restoration outcomes can be highly variable, making it difficult to interpret the ecological benefits and risks associated with woodland-reduction treatments within semiarid ecosystems. We addressed this uncertainty by assessing the magnitude and direction of vegetation change over a 15-year period at 129 sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) sites following pinyon (Pinus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus spp.) (P-J) reduction. Pretreatment vegetation indicated strong negative relationships between P-J cover and the abundance of understory plants (i.e., perennial grass and sagebrush cover) in most situations and all three components differed significantly among planned treatment types. Thus, to avoid confounding pretreatment vegetation and treatment type, we quantified overall treatment effects and tested whether distinct response patterns would be present among three dominant plant community types that vary in edaphic properties and occur within distinct temperature/precipitation regimes using meta-analysis (effect size = lnRR = ln[posttreatment cover/pretreatment cover]). We also quantified how restoration seedings contributed to overall changes in key understory vegetation components. Meta-analyses indicated that while P-J reduction caused significant positive overall effects on all shrub and herbaceous components (including invasive cheatgrass [Bromus tectorum] and exotic annual forbs), responses were contingent on treatment- and plant community-type combinations. Restoration seedings also had strong positive effects on understory vegetation by augmenting changes in perennial grass and perennial forb components, which similarly varied by plant community type. Collectively, our results identified specific situations where broad-scale efforts to reverse woodland encroachment substantially met short-term management goals of restoring valuable ecosystem services and where P-J reduction disposed certain plant community types to ecological risks, such as increasing the probability of native species displacement and stimulating an annual grass-fire cycle. Resource managers should carefully weigh these benefits and risks and incorporate additional, appropriate treatments and/or conservation measures for the unique preconditions of a given plant community in order to minimize exotic species responses and/or enhance desirable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Monaco
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-6300, USA
| | - Kevin L. Gunnell
- Great Basin Research Center, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Ephraim, UT 84627, USA;
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Fire, livestock grazing, topography, and precipitation affect occurrence and prevalence of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) in the central Great Basin, USA. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-02120-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Bradford JB, Schlaepfer DR, Lauenroth WK, Palmquist KA, Chambers JC, Maestas JD, Campbell SB. Climate-Driven Shifts in Soil Temperature and Moisture Regimes Suggest Opportunities to Enhance Assessments of Dryland Resilience and Resistance. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Chambers JC, Brooks ML, Germino MJ, Maestas JD, Board DI, Jones MO, Allred BW. Operationalizing Resilience and Resistance Concepts to Address Invasive Grass-Fire Cycles. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Seeding native species increases resistance to annual grass invasion following prescribed burning of semiarid woodlands. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-01951-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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