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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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Martyn TE, Kwapich CL, Kline A, Gornish ES. Granivorous ants prefer small and unprotected seeds ‐ Implications for restoration in arid ecosystems. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Trace E. Martyn
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment The University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 USA
| | - Christina L. Kwapich
- Department of Biological Sciences The University of Massachusetts Lowell Lowell MA 01854 USA
| | - Albert Kline
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment The University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 USA
| | - Elise S. Gornish
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment The University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 USA
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Simler-Williamson AB, Germino MJ. Statistical considerations of nonrandom treatment applications reveal region-wide benefits of widespread post-fire restoration action. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3472. [PMID: 35710763 PMCID: PMC9203498 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31102-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate predictions of ecological restoration outcomes are needed across the increasingly large landscapes requiring treatment following disturbances. However, observational studies often fail to account for nonrandom treatment application, which can result in invalid inference. Examining a spatiotemporally extensive management treatment involving post-fire seeding of declining sagebrush shrubs across semiarid areas of the western USA over two decades, we quantify drivers and consequences of selection biases in restoration using remotely sensed data. From following more than 1,500 wildfires, we find treatments were disproportionately applied in more stressful, degraded ecological conditions. Failure to incorporate unmeasured drivers of treatment allocation led to the conclusion that costly, widespread seedings were unsuccessful; however, after considering sources of bias, restoration positively affected sagebrush recovery. Treatment effects varied with climate, indicating prioritization criteria for interventions. Our findings revise the perspective that post-fire sagebrush seedings have been broadly unsuccessful and demonstrate how selection biases can pose substantive inferential hazards in observational studies of restoration efficacy and the development of restoration theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison B Simler-Williamson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, 1910 W University Dr, Boise, ID, 83725, USA.
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 230 N. Collins Rd., Boise, ID, 83702, USA.
| | - Matthew J Germino
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 230 N. Collins Rd., Boise, ID, 83702, USA
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Simler‐Williamson AB, Applestein C, Germino MJ. Interannual variation in climate contributes to contingency in post‐fire restoration outcomes in seeded sagebrush steppe. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Allison B. Simler‐Williamson
- Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - Cara Applestein
- 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
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Teman SJ, Stevens N, Monadjem A, Fletcher RJ, Austin JD, McCleery R. Savanna Rodents’ Selective Removal of an Encroaching Plant’s Seeds Increased With Grass Biomass. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.676572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In savannas across the planet, encroaching woody plants are altering ecosystem functions and reshaping communities. Seed predation by rodents may serve to slow the encroachment of woody plants in grasslands and savannas. Our goals for this study were to determine if rodents in an African savanna selectively removed seeds of an encroaching plant and if foraging activity was influenced by the local vegetation structure or by the landscape context. From trials with two species of seeds (encroacher = Dichrostachys cinerea, non-encroaching overstory tree = Senegalia nigrescens) at 64 seed stations, we recorded 1,065 foraging events by seven species of granivorous rodents. We found a strong positive relationship between rodent activity and the number of seeds removed during trials. Foraging events were dominated by rodent seed predators, with <10.6% of events involving a rodent with the potential for secondary dispersal. Rodents selectively removed the seeds of the encroaching species, removing 32.6% more D. cinerea seeds compared to S. nigrescens. Additionally, rodent activity and the number of seeds removed increased at sites with more grass biomass. Our results suggest a potential mechanistic role for rodents in mitigating the spread of woody plants in grass dominated savannas.
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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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Weidlich EWA, Nelson CR, Maron JL, Callaway RM, Delory BM, Temperton VM. Priority effects and ecological restoration. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela W. A. Weidlich
- Ecosystem Functioning and Services Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University Lüneburg Germany
- Present address: Department of Botany, University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) Florianópolis Brazil
| | - Cara R. Nelson
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, Franke College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula U.S.A
| | - John L. Maron
- Division of Biological Sciences and Institute on Ecosystems University of Montana Missoula U.S.A
| | - Ragan M. Callaway
- Division of Biological Sciences and Institute on Ecosystems University of Montana Missoula U.S.A
| | - Benjamin M. Delory
- Ecosystem Functioning and Services Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University Lüneburg Germany
| | - Vicky M. Temperton
- Ecosystem Functioning and Services Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University Lüneburg Germany
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Davies KW, Bates JD, Clenet D. Improving restoration success through microsite selection: an example with planting sagebrush seedlings after wildfire. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kirk W. Davies
- USDA‐Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Jon D. Bates
- USDA‐Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Danielle Clenet
- Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Oregon State University Burns OR U.S.A
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Uselman SM, Davison J, Baughman OW, Sullivan BW, Miller WW, Leger EA. Restoring dryland old fields with native shrubs and grasses: Does facilitation and seed source matter? PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205760. [PMID: 30335842 PMCID: PMC6193679 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Restoration of agricultural fields is challenging, especially in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. We conducted experiments in two fields in the Great Basin, USA, which differed in cultivation history and fertility. We tested the effects of different levels of functional diversity (planting grasses and shrubs together, vs. planting shrubs alone), seed source (cultivars, local or distant wild-collections), and irrigation regime (spring or fall and spring) on restoration outcomes. We sowed either: 1) grasses and shrubs in year one, 2) shrubs only, in year one, 3) grasses in year one with herbicide, shrubs in year two, or 4) shrubs alone in year two, after a year of herbicide. We irrigated for two years and monitored for three years. Shrub emergence was highest in the lower fertility field, where increasing functional diversity by seeding grasses had a neutral or facilitative effect on shrub emergence. In the higher fertility field, increasing functional diversity appeared to have a neutral to competitive effect. After declines in shrub densities after irrigation ceased, these effects did not persist. Grasses initially suppressed or had a neutral effect on weeds relative to an unseeded control, but had neutral or facilitative effects on weeds relative to shrub-only seeding. Initially, commercial grasses were either equivalent to or outperformed wild-collected grasses, but after irrigation ceased, commercial grasses were outperformed by wild-collected grasses in the higher fertility field. Local shrubs initially outperformed distant shrubs, but this effect did not persist. Fall and spring irrigation combined with local shrubs and wild-collected grasses was the most successful strategy in the higher fertility field, while in the lower fertility field, irrigation timing had fewer effects. Superior shrub emergence and higher grass persistence indicated that the use of wild and local seed sources is generally warranted, whereas the effects of functional diversity and irrigation regime were context-dependent. A bet-hedging approach that uses a variety of strategies may maximize the chances of restoration success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shauna M. Uselman
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Jay Davison
- University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Fallon, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Owen W. Baughman
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
- The Nature Conservancy, Burns, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Benjamin W. Sullivan
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - W. Wally Miller
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Leger
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Davies KW, Bates JD, Boyd CS. Postwildfire seeding to restore native vegetation and limit exotic annuals: an evaluation in juniper-dominated sagebrush steppe. Restor Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kirk W. Davies
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service; Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; 67826-A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Jon D. Bates
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service; Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; 67826-A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Chad S. Boyd
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service; Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; 67826-A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
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Nolan RH, Sinclair J, Eldridge DJ, Ramp D. Biophysical risks to carbon sequestration and storage in Australian drylands. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 208:102-111. [PMID: 29248786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Carbon abatement schemes that reduce land clearing and promote revegetation are now an important component of climate change policy globally. There is considerable potential for these schemes to operate in drylands which are spatially extensive. However, projects in these environments risk failure through unplanned release of stored carbon to the atmosphere. In this review, we identify factors that may adversely affect the success of vegetation-based carbon abatement projects in dryland ecosystems, evaluate their likelihood of occurrence, and estimate the potential consequences for carbon storage and sequestration. We also evaluate management strategies to reduce risks posed to these carbon abatement projects. Identified risks were primarily disturbances, including unplanned fire, drought, and grazing. Revegetation projects also risk recruitment failure, thereby failing to reach projected rates of sequestration. Many of these risks are dependent on rainfall, which is highly variable in drylands and susceptible to further variation under climate change. Resprouting vegetation is likely to be less vulnerable to disturbance and have faster recovery rates upon release from disturbance. We conclude that there is a strong impetus for identifying management strategies and risk reduction mechanisms for carbon abatement projects. Risk mitigation would be enhanced by effective co-ordination of mitigation strategies at scales larger than individual abatement project boundaries, and by implementing risk assessment throughout project planning and implementation stages. Reduction of risk is vital for maximising carbon sequestration of individual projects and for reducing barriers to the establishment of new projects entering the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael H Nolan
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Jennifer Sinclair
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia; GreenCollar, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - David J Eldridge
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Daniel Ramp
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
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Davies KW, Boyd CS, Bates JD, Gearhart A. Legacy microsite effect on the survival of bitterbrush outplantings after prescribed fire: capitalizing on spatial variability to improve restoration. Restor Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kirk W. Davies
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service; Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Chad S. Boyd
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service; Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Jon D. Bates
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service; Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Amanda Gearhart
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service; Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
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Davies KW, Bates JD, Hulet A. Attempting to restore mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata
ssp. vaseyana
) four years after fire. Restor Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kirk W. Davies
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service; Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; 67826-A Highway 205 Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Jon D. Bates
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service; Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; 67826-A Highway 205 Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - April Hulet
- University of Idaho, Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Fire Science. 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1133; Moscow ID U.S.A
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Rinella MJ, Espeland EK, Moffatt BJ. Studying long-term, large-scale grassland restoration outcomes to improve seeding methods and reveal knowledge gaps. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Rinella
- Rangeland Ecology; USDA/ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory; 243 Fort Keogh Rd Miles City MT 59301 USA
| | - Erin K. Espeland
- Pest Management Unit; USDA/ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory; Sidney MT USA
| | - Bruce J. Moffatt
- Soil Science Department; Oregon State University; Corvallis OR USA
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