Ecological Influence and Pathways of Land Use in Sagebrush

Knick, Steven T.; Hanser, Steven E.; Miller, Richard F.; Pyke, David A.; Wisdom, Michael J.; Finn, Sean P.; Rinkes, E. Thomas; Henny, Charles J.

doi:10.1525/california/9780520267114.003.0013

Cited by 34 publications

(41 citation statements)

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“…By controlling for several potentially confounding factors (Knick et al . ), we gained important insights into the role of cattle grazing as a determinant of ecosystem resistance to B. tectorum invasion. We found no evidence that cattle grazing, even at the high intensities 100 m from the nearest water development, reduced B. tectorum cover.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conditions favouring Bromus tectorum dominance of endangered sagebrush steppe ecosystems

Reisner

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Pyke

et al. 2013

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary1. Ecosystem invasibility is determined by combinations of environmental variables, invader attributes, disturbance regimes, competitive abilities of resident species and evolutionary history between residents and disturbance regimes. Understanding the relative importance of each factor is critical to limiting future invasions and restoring ecosystems. 2. We investigated factors potentially controlling Bromus tectorum invasions into Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis communities across 75 sites in the Great Basin. We measured soil texture, cattle grazing intensity, gaps among perennial plants and plant cover including B. tectorum, biological soil crusts (BSCs) and bare soil. Using a priori knowledge, we developed a multivariate hypothesis of the susceptibility of Artemisia ecosystems to B. tectorum invasion and used the model to assess the relative importance of the factors driving the magnitude of such invasions. 3. Model results imply that bunchgrass community structure, abundance and composition, along with BSC cover, play important roles in controlling B. tectorum dominance. Evidence suggests abundant bunchgrasses limit invasions by limiting the size and connectivity of gaps between vegetation, and BSCs appear to limit invasions within gaps. Results also suggest that cattle grazing reduces invasion resistance by decreasing bunchgrass abundance, shifting bunchgrass composition, and thereby increasing connectivity of gaps between perennial plants while trampling further reduces resistance by reducing BSC. 4. Synthesis and applications. Grazing exacerbates Bromus tectorum dominance in one of North America's most endangered ecosystems by adversely impacting key mechanisms mediating resistance to invasion. If the goal is to conserve and restore resistance of these systems, managers should consider maintaining or restoring: (i) high bunchgrass cover and structure characterized by spatially dispersed bunchgrasses and small gaps between them; (ii) a diverse assemblage of bunchgrass species to maximize competitive interactions with B. tectorum in time and space; and (iii) biological soil crusts to limit B. tectorum establishment. Passive restoration by reducing cumulative cattle grazing may be one of the most effective means of achieving these three goals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conditions favouring Bromus tectorum dominance of endangered sagebrush steppe ecosystems

Reisner

Grace

Pyke

et al. 2013

Journal of Applied Ecology

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197

194

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“…The potential ecohydrological impacts of a shrub to grassland transition are particularly relevant for areas historically dominated by big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) because these ecosystems are widespread (covering approximately 500 000 km 2 in western North America) and rapidly changing (Knick et al . ; Schlaepfer, Lauenroth & Bradford ). Vegetation in sagebrush ecosystems has been heavily altered over the past half‐century by agriculture (Knick et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vegetation in sagebrush ecosystems has been heavily altered over the past half‐century by agriculture (Knick et al . ), shrub removal treatments designed to promote grass production (Beck, Connelly & Wambolt ), wildfire (Bukowski & Baker ) and exotic annual grasses invasion (Knapp ). Most of the drivers of change are not anticipated to decline in the coming decades (Schroeder et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shifts in plant functional types have time‐dependent and regionally variable impacts on dryland ecosystem water balance

et al. 2014

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Summary 1.Terrestrial vegetation influences hydrologic cycling. In water-limited, dryland ecosystems, altered ecohydrology as a consequence of vegetation change can impact vegetation structure, ecological functioning and ecosystem services. Shrub steppe ecosystems dominated by big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) are widespread across western North America, and provide a range of ecosystem services. While sagebrush abundance in these ecosystems has been altered over the past century, and changes are likely to continue, the ecohydrological consequences of sagebrush removal and reestablishment remain unclear. 2. To characterize the immediate and medium-term patterns of water cycling and availability following sagebrush plant community alteration, we applied the SOILWAT ecosystem water balance model to 898 sites across the distribution of sagebrush ecosystems, representing the three primary sagebrush ecosystem types: sagebrush shrublands, sagebrush steppe and montane sagebrush. At each site, we examined three vegetation conditions representing intact sagebrush, recently disturbed sagebrush and recovered but grass-dominated vegetation. 3. Transition from shrub to grass dominance decreased precipitation interception and transpiration and increased soil evaporation and deep drainage. Relative to intact sagebrush vegetation, simulated soils in the herbaceous vegetation phases typically had drier surface layers and wetter deep layers. 4. Our simulations suggested that alterations in ecosystem water balance may be most pronounced in vegetation representing recently disturbed conditions (herbaceous vegetation with low biomass) and only modest in conditions representing recovered, but still grass-dominated vegetation. Furthermore, the ecohydrological impact of simulated sagebrush removal depended on climate; while short-term changes in water balance were greatest in wet areas represented by the montane sagebrush ecosystem type, medium-term impacts were greatest in dry areas of sagebrush shrublands and sagebrush steppe. 5. Synthesis. This study provides a novel, regional-scale assessment of how plant functional type transitions may impact ecosystem water balance in sagebrush-dominated ecosystems of North America. Results illustrate that the ecohydrological consequences of changing vegetation depend strongly on climate and suggest that decreasing woody plant abundance may have only limited impact on evapotranspiration and water yield.

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“…Although sagebrush habitat degradation and loss due to anthropogenic influences is documented (Schroeder et al , Connelly et al , Knick et al , Leu and Hanser ), wildfire is now considered a primary threat to sage‐grouse habitat in the western portion of its range (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ).…”

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Greater sage‐grouse vital rates after wildfire

et al. 2018

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Greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have been subject to long‐term and continuing declines in population and habitat since European settlement of western North America. Increased wildfire activity constitutes a primary threat to the species in western portions of their range, with documented declines in wildfire‐affected populations. Following a 187,000‐ha wildfire in southeastern Oregon and northern Nevada, USA, we used global positioning system (GPS) telemetry to monitor nest initiation, nest survival, nesting habitat, and adult survival of female sage‐grouse during 2013 and 2014. We used known‐fate models in Program MARK to estimate daily nest survival and monthly adult survival in relation to temporal patterns, physiological characteristics of females, and habitat and land‐cover characteristics. We assessed habitat characteristics using geographic information system (GIS)‐derived measures of post‐fire habitat condition and land cover. Nest initiation rate following the fire was comparable to that observed in unaltered habitat. We observed nesting rates of 90% and 100% during 2013 and 2014, respectively, and renesting rates of 23% and 57% during the same years. Daily nest survival was consistently low in comparison to rates observed in concurrent studies in the region, for first nests during both years, and for second nests during 2013, but survival markedly increased for second nests during 2014. Sage‐grouse generally did not leave the fire perimeter to nest, with 64% and 73% of nests located in the fire boundary during 2013 and 2014, respectively. Approximately 27% of nests were located in burned habitat during 2013, and 20% of nests in 2014 were located in burned habitat. Adult survival varied by month, and although patterns of monthly survival were similar between years, monthly survival rates were significantly reduced from the beginning of the study through the end of the first post‐fire growing season. Our results indicate that sage‐grouse continue to use fire‐affected habitat in the years immediately following wildfire and sage‐grouse experienced lower nest survival and adult female survival than other populations during the same period. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

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Ecological Influence and Pathways of Land Use in Sagebrush

Cited by 34 publications

References 0 publications

Conditions favouring Bromus tectorum dominance of endangered sagebrush steppe ecosystems

Conditions favouring Bromus tectorum dominance of endangered sagebrush steppe ecosystems

Shifts in plant functional types have time‐dependent and regionally variable impacts on dryland ecosystem water balance

Greater sage‐grouse vital rates after wildfire

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