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• 11. [Article] Increasing the abundance of rare native wetland prairie species

  Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. Management strategies for increasing the abundance of native species ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Increasing the abundance of rare native wetland prairie species Author: Goodridge, Jennifer, Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. Management strategies for increasing the abundance of native species are urgently needed, particularly those strategies that promote the regeneration of native species from seed. Fire may be an important factor in promoting regeneration of native species from seed because of its historical role in maintaining the prairie landscape. The study objectives were (1) to determine the effect of prescribed burning on regeneration of native species from seed, and (2) to establish predictive relationships between easily measured plant traits and seedling establishment rates in the field. The general approach was to sow seeds of target wetland prairie species during the fall into experimental field plots already established at the Danebo Wetland, Eugene, OR. Seedling establishment rates were then compared between burned and unburned plots the following spring. To establish predictive relationships these seedling establishment rates were related to selected seed and seedling traits measured under laboratory conditions. Overall seedling establishment rates showed no significant differences between burned (7.0%) and unburned plots (8.7%), although for the seven species showing positive responses to prescribed burning, the increase was approximately doubled in the burned plots. Burning significantly increased the seedling establishment rates of three species, Wyethia angustifolia, Grindelia integrifolia, and Danthonia californica. Seedling establishment significantly decreased with burning for one species, Sidalcea campestris. For three of the four endangered, threatened or rare species, Aster curtus, Horkelia congesta, and Sidalcea cusickii var. purpurea, seedling establishment rates were smaller in the burned plots compared to the unburned plots, although the differences were not significant. Lomatium bradshawii had no seedlings establish in either the burned or the unburned plots. Plant weight 7 days after germination was the best trait at predicting field seedling establishment rates for both the burned plots and the unburned plots, explaining a significant amount of variation in establishment rates: 70% for the burned plots and 45% for the unburned plots. This model could be used by managers to choose species for sowing in burned and unburned prairies or to estimate seeding rates at burned and unburned sites. Title: Increasing the abundance of rare native wetland prairie species Author: Goodridge, Jennifer, Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. Management strategies for increasing the abundance of native species are urgently needed, particularly those strategies that promote the regeneration of native species from seed. Fire may be an important factor in promoting regeneration of native species from seed because of its historical role in maintaining the prairie landscape. The study objectives were (1) to determine the effect of prescribed burning on regeneration of native species from seed, and (2) to establish predictive relationships between easily measured plant traits and seedling establishment rates in the field. The general approach was to sow seeds of target wetland prairie species during the fall into experimental field plots already established at the Danebo Wetland, Eugene, OR. Seedling establishment rates were then compared between burned and unburned plots the following spring. To establish predictive relationships these seedling establishment rates were related to selected seed and seedling traits measured under laboratory conditions. Overall seedling establishment rates showed no significant differences between burned (7.0%) and unburned plots (8.7%), although for the seven species showing positive responses to prescribed burning, the increase was approximately doubled in the burned plots. Burning significantly increased the seedling establishment rates of three species, Wyethia angustifolia, Grindelia integrifolia, and Danthonia californica. Seedling establishment significantly decreased with burning for one species, Sidalcea campestris. For three of the four endangered, threatened or rare species, Aster curtus, Horkelia congesta, and Sidalcea cusickii var. purpurea, seedling establishment rates were smaller in the burned plots compared to the unburned plots, although the differences were not significant. Lomatium bradshawii had no seedlings establish in either the burned or the unburned plots. Plant weight 7 days after germination was the best trait at predicting field seedling establishment rates for both the burned plots and the unburned plots, explaining a significant amount of variation in establishment rates: 70% for the burned plots and 45% for the unburned plots. This model could be used by managers to choose species for sowing in burned and unburned prairies or to estimate seeding rates at burned and unburned sites. Close

• 12. [Article] Promoting regeneration of native species In Willamette Valley upland prairies

  Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. Management strategies for increasing the abundance of native species ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Promoting regeneration of native species In Willamette Valley upland prairies Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. Management strategies for increasing the abundance of native species are urgently needed, particularly those strategies that promote the regeneration of native species from seed. The focus of this investigation was to address this need. The general approach was to sow seeds of native species into experimental field plots, which had been burned once, burned repeatedly, mowed, or unmanaged at three sites at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Seedling numbers were then counted one growing season after sowing. To investigate mechanisms for the regeneration responses of species to management treatments, selected abiotic and biotic factors potentially important for seed regeneration were measured in the field plots. Seedling establishment rates in unmanaged plots were relatively small, averaging 9.7% for all three sites. Only one species, Danthonia californica, showed a positive response to the mowing treatment. Of the 13 species sowed in the burn plots, six species (Bromus carinatus, Elymus glacus, Festuca roemeri/rubra, Clarkia quadrivulera, Prunella vulgaris, Sidalcea campestris) had significant more seedlings in the burn plots compared to the unmanaged plots. Seedling establishment of two species, Danthonia californica and Potentilla gracilis, was significantly lower with burn treatments. The other five species showed no significant responses to the burn treatments: Carex tumicola, Calochortus tolmiei, Zygadensus venenosus, Balsamorhiza deltoidea, and Agoseris grandilflora. The strongest fire effects were generally in plots that had been burned only once, rather than plots burned more than once. Abundance of litter and vegetation were the factors that were most often related, both positively and negatively, with seedling establishment rates. Based on the results of this investigation, prescribed burning, rather than mowing, is a more viable management option to promote regeneration of native species from seed in upland prairies. However, prescribed burning must be used with caution as it can reduce seedling establishment rates for some species. Sowing seeds in unmanaged sites is an option, but sowing rates need to be high to compensate for the small seedling establishment rates in unmanaged prairies. Title: Promoting regeneration of native species In Willamette Valley upland prairies Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native prairies of the Willamette Valley are considered among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. Management strategies for increasing the abundance of native species are urgently needed, particularly those strategies that promote the regeneration of native species from seed. The focus of this investigation was to address this need. The general approach was to sow seeds of native species into experimental field plots, which had been burned once, burned repeatedly, mowed, or unmanaged at three sites at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Seedling numbers were then counted one growing season after sowing. To investigate mechanisms for the regeneration responses of species to management treatments, selected abiotic and biotic factors potentially important for seed regeneration were measured in the field plots. Seedling establishment rates in unmanaged plots were relatively small, averaging 9.7% for all three sites. Only one species, Danthonia californica, showed a positive response to the mowing treatment. Of the 13 species sowed in the burn plots, six species (Bromus carinatus, Elymus glacus, Festuca roemeri/rubra, Clarkia quadrivulera, Prunella vulgaris, Sidalcea campestris) had significant more seedlings in the burn plots compared to the unmanaged plots. Seedling establishment of two species, Danthonia californica and Potentilla gracilis, was significantly lower with burn treatments. The other five species showed no significant responses to the burn treatments: Carex tumicola, Calochortus tolmiei, Zygadensus venenosus, Balsamorhiza deltoidea, and Agoseris grandilflora. The strongest fire effects were generally in plots that had been burned only once, rather than plots burned more than once. Abundance of litter and vegetation were the factors that were most often related, both positively and negatively, with seedling establishment rates. Based on the results of this investigation, prescribed burning, rather than mowing, is a more viable management option to promote regeneration of native species from seed in upland prairies. However, prescribed burning must be used with caution as it can reduce seedling establishment rates for some species. Sowing seeds in unmanaged sites is an option, but sowing rates need to be high to compensate for the small seedling establishment rates in unmanaged prairies. Close

• 13. [Article] Native plant revegetation at Butterfly Meadows (Benton County), habitat for the endangered Fender's blue butterfly

  Native prairies, which once dominated the landscape of the Willamette Valley, are considered among the rarest of Oregon's ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. One of the largest remaining ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Native plant revegetation at Butterfly Meadows (Benton County), habitat for the endangered Fender's blue butterfly Author: Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native prairies, which once dominated the landscape of the Willamette Valley, are considered among the rarest of Oregon's ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. One of the largest remaining parcels of native upland prairie, Butterfly Meadows (Benton County), is being invaded by Brachypodium sylvaticum (false brome). This site is one of three most important remaining habitats for the Fender's blue butterfly and Kincaid's lupine, federally listed as Endangered and Threatened respectively. Most of Butterfly Meadows is owned by Starker Forests (Corvallis) with a small portion owned by Oregon State University. A partnership was formed in 2002 of people and organizations interested in protecting and restoring Butterfly Meadows: Fred Pfund (Starker Forests) Matt Blakeley-Smith (Institute for Applied Ecology) Deborah Clark (Oregon State University, Biology Program) Paul Hammond (Entomologist, Private consultant) Debbie Johnson (Oregon State University, College Forests) Tom Kaye (Institute for Applied Ecology) Bruce Kelpsas (Helena Chemical Company) In fall 2002, the partnership submitted a proposal (Control of Brachypodium sylvaticum and Restoration of Rare Native Upland Prairie Habitat at Butterfly Meadows, Benton County) and received funding from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The project goal was and is to protect and restore rare Willamette Valley upland prairie habitat at Butterfly Meadows (Benton County) from invasion by the noxious weed Brachypodium sylvaticum (false brome). Since receiving funding in 2002, the partnership has developed and implemented herbicide treatments, beginning with small scale experiments, which control Brachypodium sylvaticum without harming native prairie vegetation or the Fender's blue butterfly. We used the results of these small-scale experiments to develop strategies for restoration of larger areas of the Butterfly Meadows, which Starker Forests has implemented at its own expense. These strategies have been relatively successful in controlling false brome, but we are now at a time where we need to revegetate these areas where false brome has been controlled. These areas are too large to quickly revegetate with existing native herbaceous species, so we need to augment the site with additional seed. Transplanting greenhouse grown plants is also an option but is much more costly. We hope to apply for additional funding elsewhere for these transplants. Title: Native plant revegetation at Butterfly Meadows (Benton County), habitat for the endangered Fender's blue butterfly Author: Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native prairies, which once dominated the landscape of the Willamette Valley, are considered among the rarest of Oregon's ecosystems and are in critical need of conservation. One of the largest remaining parcels of native upland prairie, Butterfly Meadows (Benton County), is being invaded by Brachypodium sylvaticum (false brome). This site is one of three most important remaining habitats for the Fender's blue butterfly and Kincaid's lupine, federally listed as Endangered and Threatened respectively. Most of Butterfly Meadows is owned by Starker Forests (Corvallis) with a small portion owned by Oregon State University. A partnership was formed in 2002 of people and organizations interested in protecting and restoring Butterfly Meadows: Fred Pfund (Starker Forests) Matt Blakeley-Smith (Institute for Applied Ecology) Deborah Clark (Oregon State University, Biology Program) Paul Hammond (Entomologist, Private consultant) Debbie Johnson (Oregon State University, College Forests) Tom Kaye (Institute for Applied Ecology) Bruce Kelpsas (Helena Chemical Company) In fall 2002, the partnership submitted a proposal (Control of Brachypodium sylvaticum and Restoration of Rare Native Upland Prairie Habitat at Butterfly Meadows, Benton County) and received funding from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The project goal was and is to protect and restore rare Willamette Valley upland prairie habitat at Butterfly Meadows (Benton County) from invasion by the noxious weed Brachypodium sylvaticum (false brome). Since receiving funding in 2002, the partnership has developed and implemented herbicide treatments, beginning with small scale experiments, which control Brachypodium sylvaticum without harming native prairie vegetation or the Fender's blue butterfly. We used the results of these small-scale experiments to develop strategies for restoration of larger areas of the Butterfly Meadows, which Starker Forests has implemented at its own expense. These strategies have been relatively successful in controlling false brome, but we are now at a time where we need to revegetate these areas where false brome has been controlled. These areas are too large to quickly revegetate with existing native herbaceous species, so we need to augment the site with additional seed. Transplanting greenhouse grown plants is also an option but is much more costly. We hope to apply for additional funding elsewhere for these transplants. Close

• 14. [Article] Natural and Anthropogenic Influences on the Holocene Fire and Vegetation History of the Willamette Valley, Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington

  xvii, 382 p. : ill. (some col.), maps. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Natural and Anthropogenic Influences on the Holocene Fire and Vegetation History of the Willamette Valley, Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington Author: Walsh, Megan Kathleen, 1976- Year: 2009, 2008 xvii, 382 p. : ill. (some col.), maps. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. Title: Natural and Anthropogenic Influences on the Holocene Fire and Vegetation History of the Willamette Valley, Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington Author: Walsh, Megan Kathleen, 1976- Year: 2009, 2008 xvii, 382 p. : ill. (some col.), maps. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. Close