1
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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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2
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Ridenour WM, Lortie CJ, Callaway RM. A realized facilitation cascade mediated by biological soil crusts in a sagebrush steppe community. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4803. [PMID: 36959466 PMCID: PMC10036522 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31967-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological soil crusts can have strong effects on vascular plant communities which have been inferred from short-term germination and early establishment responses. However, biocrusts are often assumed to function as an "organizing principle" in communities because their effects can "cascade" to interactions among crust-associated plant species. We conducted surveys and experiments to explore these cascades and found that biocrusts were positively associated with large patches (> 10 m diameter) of a dominant shrub Artemisia tridentata. At the smaller scale of individual shrubs and the open matrices between shrubs, biocrusts were negatively associated with Artemisia. Juveniles of Artemisia were found only in biocrusts in intershrub spaces and never under shrubs or in soil without biocrusts. In two-year field experiments, biocrusts increased the growth of Festuca and the photosynthetic rates of Artemisia. Festuca planted under Artemisia were also at least twice as large as those planted in open sites without crusts or where Artemisia were removed. Thus, biocrusts can facilitate vascular plants over long time periods and can contribute to a "realized" cascade with nested negative and positive interactions for a range of species, but unusual among documented cascades in that it includes only autotrophs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy M Ridenour
- Department of Biology, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT, 59725, USA.
| | - C J Lortie
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ragan M Callaway
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
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3
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Kainrath NB, Dijkstra P, Gehring CA, Updike C, Grady KC. Water as the key to sagebrush restoration success in cheatgrass‐invaded ecosystems. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Dijkstra
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Ecosystem Science and Society Flagstaff AZ 86011 USA
| | - Catherine A. Gehring
- Department of Biological Sciences and Merriam‐Powell Center for Environmental Research Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ 86011 USA
| | | | - Kevin C. Grady
- School of Forestry Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ 86001 USA
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4
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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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5
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Roth CL, O'Neil ST, Coates PS, Ricca MA, Pyke DA, Aldridge CL, Heinrichs JA, Espinosa SP, Delehanty DJ. Targeting Sagebrush (Artemisia Spp.) Restoration Following Wildfire with Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) Nest Selection and Survival Models. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 70:288-306. [PMID: 35687203 PMCID: PMC9252971 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-022-01649-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Unprecedented conservation efforts for sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems across the western United States have been catalyzed by risks from escalated wildfire activity that reduces habitat for sagebrush-obligate species such as Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). However, post-fire restoration is challenged by spatial variation in ecosystem processes influencing resilience to disturbance and resistance to non-native invasive species, and spatial and temporal lags between slower sagebrush recovery processes and faster demographic responses of sage-grouse to loss of important habitat. Decision-support frameworks that account for these factors can help users strategically apply restoration efforts by predicting short and long-term ecological benefits of actions. Here, we developed a framework that strategically targets burned areas for restoration actions (e.g., seeding or planting sagebrush) that have the greatest potential to positively benefit sage-grouse populations through time. Specifically, we estimated sagebrush recovery following wildfire and risk of non-native annual grass invasion under four scenarios: passive recovery, grazing exclusion, active restoration with seeding, and active restoration with seedling transplants. We then applied spatial predictions of integrated nest site selection and survival models before wildfire, immediately following wildfire, and at 30 and 50 years post-wildfire based on each restoration scenario and measured changes in habitat. Application of this framework coupled with strategic planting designs aimed at developing patches of nesting habitat may help increase operational resilience for fire-impacted sagebrush ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cali L Roth
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Shawn T O'Neil
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Peter S Coates
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA.
| | - Mark A Ricca
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - David A Pyke
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 777 NW 9th Street, Suite 400, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA
| | - Cameron L Aldridge
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526-8118, USA
| | - Julie A Heinrichs
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, in cooperation with U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Colorado State University, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526-8118, USA
| | - Shawn P Espinosa
- Nevada Department of Wildlife, 6980 Sierra Center Parkway #120, Reno, NV, 89511, USA
| | - David J Delehanty
- Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA
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6
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Copeland SM, Bradford JB, Hardegree SP, Schlaepfer DR, Badik KJ. Management and environmental factors associated with simulated restoration seeding barriers in sagebrush steppe. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stella M. Copeland
- USDA−Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 67826‐A Hwy 205 Burns OR 97720 USA
| | - John B. Bradford
- US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2255 N. Gemini Dr Flagstaff AZ 86001 USA
| | - Stuart P. Hardegree
- USDA‐Agricultural Research Service, Northwest Watershed Research Center, 251 Front St., Suite 400 Boise ID 83702 USA
| | - Daniel R. Schlaepfer
- US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2255 N. Gemini Dr Flagstaff AZ 86001 USA
- Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes Northern Arizona University, PO Box 6077 Flagstaff AZ 86011 USA
| | - Kevin J. Badik
- The Nature Conservancy 1 E. 1st St. Suite 1007 Reno NV 89501 USA
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7
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Veblen KE, Nehring KC, Duniway MC, Knight A, Monaco TA, Schupp EW, Boettinger JL, Villalba JJ, Fick S, Brungard C, Thacker E. Soil depth and precipitation moderate soil textural effects on seedling survival of a foundation shrub species. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kari E. Veblen
- Dept. of Wildland Resources Utah State University 5230 Old Main Hill Logan Utah 84322 USA
- Ecology Center Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Kyle C. Nehring
- Dept. of Wildland Resources Utah State University 5230 Old Main Hill Logan Utah 84322 USA
- Ecology Center Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Michael C. Duniway
- US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2290 SW Resource Blvd Moab Utah 84532 USA
| | - Anna Knight
- US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2290 SW Resource Blvd Moab Utah 84532 USA
| | - Thomas A. Monaco
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Research Laboratory Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Eugene W. Schupp
- Dept. of Wildland Resources Utah State University 5230 Old Main Hill Logan Utah 84322 USA
- Ecology Center Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Janis L. Boettinger
- Ecology Center Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
- Dept. of Plants, Soils & Climate Department Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Juan J. Villalba
- Dept. of Wildland Resources Utah State University 5230 Old Main Hill Logan Utah 84322 USA
- Ecology Center Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Stephen Fick
- US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2290 SW Resource Blvd Moab Utah 84532 USA
- Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences New Mexico State University Las Cruces New Mexico 88003 USA
| | - Colby Brungard
- Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences New Mexico State University Las Cruces New Mexico 88003 USA
| | - Eric Thacker
- Dept. of Wildland Resources Utah State University 5230 Old Main Hill Logan Utah 84322 USA
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Monroe AP, Nauman TW, Aldridge CL, O’Donnell MS, Duniway MC, Cade BS, Manier DJ, Anderson PJ. Assessing vegetation recovery from energy development using a dynamic reference approach. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8508. [PMID: 35222945 PMCID: PMC8855019 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecologically relevant references are useful for evaluating ecosystem recovery, but references that are temporally static may be less useful when environmental conditions and disturbances are spatially and temporally heterogeneous. This challenge is particularly acute for ecosystems dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia spp.), where communities may require decades to recover from disturbance. We demonstrated application of a dynamic reference approach to studying sagebrush recovery using three decades of sagebrush cover estimates from remote sensing (1985-2018). We modelled recovery on former oil and gas well pads (n = 1200) across southwestern Wyoming, USA, relative to paired references identified by the Disturbance Automated Reference Toolset. We also used quantile regression to account for unmodelled heterogeneity in recovery, and projected recovery from similar disturbance across the landscape. Responses to weather and site-level factors often differed among quantiles, and sagebrush recovery on former well pads increased more when paired reference sites had greater sagebrush cover. Little (<5%) of the landscape was projected to recover within 100 years for low to mid quantiles, and recovery often occurred at higher elevations with cool and moist annual conditions. Conversely, 48%-78% of the landscape recovered quickly (within 25 years) for high quantiles of sagebrush cover. Our study demonstrates advantages of using dynamic reference sites when studying vegetation recovery, as well as how additional inferences obtained from quantile regression can inform management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian P. Monroe
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Natural Resource Ecology LaboratoryColorado State University, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Travis W. Nauman
- U.S. Geological SurveySouthwest Biological Science CenterMoabUtahUSA
| | - Cameron L. Aldridge
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Natural Resource Ecology LaboratoryColorado State University, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Michael S. O’Donnell
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Natural Resource Ecology LaboratoryColorado State University, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | | | - Brian S. Cade
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Daniel J. Manier
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
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9
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Melton AE, Beck J, Galla SJ, Jenkins J, Handley L, Kim M, Grimwood J, Schmutz J, Richardson BA, Serpe M, Novak S, Buerki S. A draft genome provides hypotheses on drought tolerance in a keystone plant species in Western North America threatened by climate change. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:15417-15429. [PMID: 34765187 PMCID: PMC8571618 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change presents distinct ecological and physiological challenges to plants as extreme climate events become more common. Understanding how species have adapted to drought, especially ecologically important nonmodel organisms, will be crucial to elucidate potential biological pathways for drought adaptation and inform conservation strategies. To aid in genome-to-phenome research, a draft genome was assembled for a diploid individual of Artemisia tridentata subsp. tridentata, a threatened keystone shrub in western North America. While this taxon has few genetic resources available and genetic/genomics work has proven difficult due to genetic heterozygosity in the past, a draft genome was successfully assembled. Aquaporin (AQP) genes and their promoter sequences were mined from the draft genome to predict mechanisms regulating gene expression and generate hypotheses on key genes underpinning drought response. Fifty-one AQP genes were fully assembled within the draft genome. Promoter and phylogenetic analyses revealed putative duplicates of A. tridentata subsp. tridentata AQPs which have experienced differentiation in promoter elements, potentially supporting novel biological pathways. Comparison with nondrought-tolerant congener supports enrichments of AQP genes in this taxon during adaptation to drought stress. Differentiation of promoter elements revealed that paralogues of some genes have evolved to function in different pathways, highlighting these genes as potential candidates for future research and providing critical hypotheses for future genome-to-phenome work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony E. Melton
- Department of Biological SciencesBoise State UniversityBoiseIdahoUSA
| | - James Beck
- Department of ComputingBoise State UniversityBoiseIdahoUSA
| | | | - Jerry Jenkins
- HudsonAlpha Institute for BiotechnologyHuntsvilleAlabamaUSA
| | - Lori Handley
- HudsonAlpha Institute for BiotechnologyHuntsvilleAlabamaUSA
| | - Min Kim
- HudsonAlpha Institute for BiotechnologyHuntsvilleAlabamaUSA
| | - Jane Grimwood
- HudsonAlpha Institute for BiotechnologyHuntsvilleAlabamaUSA
| | - Jeremy Schmutz
- HudsonAlpha Institute for BiotechnologyHuntsvilleAlabamaUSA
| | | | - Marcelo Serpe
- Department of Biological SciencesBoise State UniversityBoiseIdahoUSA
| | - Stephen Novak
- Department of Biological SciencesBoise State UniversityBoiseIdahoUSA
| | - Sven Buerki
- Department of Biological SciencesBoise State UniversityBoiseIdahoUSA
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10
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Pyke DA, Shriver RK, Arkle RS, Pilliod DS, Aldridge CL, Coates PS, Germino MJ, Heinrichs JA, Ricca MA, Shaff SE. Postfire growth of seeded and planted big sagebrush—strategic designs for restoring greater sage‐grouse nesting habitat. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Pyke
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 3200 SW Jefferson Way Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Robert K. Shriver
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center 2255 N Gemini Road Flagstaff AZ 86001 USA
- University of Nevada Reno, Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, 1664 N. Virginia St Reno NV 89557 USA
| | - Robert S. Arkle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 970 S Lusk St Boise ID 83706 USA
| | - David S. Pilliod
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 970 S Lusk St Boise ID 83706 USA
| | - Cameron L. Aldridge
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C Fort Collins CO 80526‐8118 USA
| | - Peter S. Coates
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D Dixon CA 95620 USA
| | - Matthew J. Germino
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 970 S Lusk St Boise ID 83706 USA
| | - Julie A. Heinrichs
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University; in cooperation with U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C Fort Collins CO 80526‐8118 USA
| | - Mark A. Ricca
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D Dixon CA 95620 USA
| | - Scott E. Shaff
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 3200 SW Jefferson Way Corvallis OR 97331 USA
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11
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Ricca MA, Coates PS. Integrating Ecosystem Resilience and Resistance Into Decision Support Tools for Multi-Scale Population Management of a Sagebrush Indicator Species. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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