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• 1. [Article] Plant Nitrogen Concentration and Isotopic Composition in Residential Lawns Across Seven US Cities

  Human drivers are often proposed to be stronger than biophysical drivers in influencing ecosystem structure and function in highly urbanized areas. In residential land cover, private yards are influenced ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Plant Nitrogen Concentration and Isotopic Composition in Residential Lawns Across Seven US Cities Author: Trammell, Tara, Pataki, Diane E., Cavender-Bares, Jeannine, Groffman, Peter M., Hall, Sharon J. Year: 2016 Human drivers are often proposed to be stronger than biophysical drivers in influencing ecosystem structure and function in highly urbanized areas. In residential land cover, private yards are influenced by individual homeowner preferences and actions while also experiencing large-scale human and biophysical drivers. We studied plant nitrogen (%N) and N stable isotopic composition (δ15N) in residential yards and paired native ecosystems in seven cities across the US that span major ecological biomes and climatic regions: Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. We found that residential lawns in three cities had enriched plant δ15N (P < 0.03) and in six cities higher plant N (%) relative to the associated native ecosystems (P < 0.05). Plant δ15N was progressively depleted across a gradient of urban density classes in Baltimore and Boston (P < 0.05). Lawn fertilization was associated with depleted plant δ15N in Boston and Los Angeles (P < 0.05), and organic fertilizer additions were associated with enriched plant δ15N in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City (P < 0.04). Plant δ15N was significantly enriched as a function of housing age in Baltimore (r2 = 0.27, P < 0.02), Boston (r2 = 0.27, P < 0.01), and Los Angeles (r2 = 0.34, P < 0.01). These patterns in plant δ15N and plant N (%) across these cities suggests that N sources to lawns, as well as greater rates of N cycling combined with subsequent N losses, may be important drivers of plant N dynamics in lawn ecosystems at the national scale. Title: Plant Nitrogen Concentration and Isotopic Composition in Residential Lawns Across Seven US Cities Author: Trammell, Tara, Pataki, Diane E., Cavender-Bares, Jeannine, Groffman, Peter M., Hall, Sharon J. Year: 2016 Human drivers are often proposed to be stronger than biophysical drivers in influencing ecosystem structure and function in highly urbanized areas. In residential land cover, private yards are influenced by individual homeowner preferences and actions while also experiencing large-scale human and biophysical drivers. We studied plant nitrogen (%N) and N stable isotopic composition (δ15N) in residential yards and paired native ecosystems in seven cities across the US that span major ecological biomes and climatic regions: Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. We found that residential lawns in three cities had enriched plant δ15N (P < 0.03) and in six cities higher plant N (%) relative to the associated native ecosystems (P < 0.05). Plant δ15N was progressively depleted across a gradient of urban density classes in Baltimore and Boston (P < 0.05). Lawn fertilization was associated with depleted plant δ15N in Boston and Los Angeles (P < 0.05), and organic fertilizer additions were associated with enriched plant δ15N in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City (P < 0.04). Plant δ15N was significantly enriched as a function of housing age in Baltimore (r2 = 0.27, P < 0.02), Boston (r2 = 0.27, P < 0.01), and Los Angeles (r2 = 0.34, P < 0.01). These patterns in plant δ15N and plant N (%) across these cities suggests that N sources to lawns, as well as greater rates of N cycling combined with subsequent N losses, may be important drivers of plant N dynamics in lawn ecosystems at the national scale. Close

• 2. [Article] Convergence of Microclimate in Residential Landscapes Across Diverse Cities in the United States

  Context The urban heat island (UHI) is a welldocumented pattern of warming in cities relative to rural areas. Most UHI research utilizes remote sensing methods at large scales, or climate sensors in single ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Convergence of Microclimate in Residential Landscapes Across Diverse Cities in the United States Author: Hall, Sharon J., Learned, J, Ruddell, Benjamin, Larson, Kelli L., Cavender-Bares, Jeannine, Bettez, Neil D., Groffman, Peter M., Grove, J. Morgan, Heffernan, James B., Hobbie, Sarah E., Larson, Kristen, Morse, Jennifer L., Neill, Christopher, Nelson, Kristen C., O'Neil-Dunne, Jarlath, Ogden, Laura A., Pataki, Diane E., Pearse, William D., Polsky, Colin, Chowdhury, Rinku Roy, Steele, Meredith K., Trammell, Tara Year: 2015 Context The urban heat island (UHI) is a welldocumented pattern of warming in cities relative to rural areas. Most UHI research utilizes remote sensing methods at large scales, or climate sensors in single cities surrounded by standardized land cover. Relatively few studies have explored continental-scale climatic patterns within common urban microenvironments such as residential landscapes that may affect human comfort. Objectives We tested the urban homogenization hypothesis which states that structure and function in cities exhibit ecological ‘‘sameness’’ across diverse regions relative to the native ecosystems they replaced. Methods We deployed portable micrometeorological sensors to compare air temperature and humidity in residential yards and native landscapes across six U.S. cities that span a range of climates (Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD; and Miami, FL). Results Microclimate in residential ecosystems was more similar among cities than among native ecosystems, particularly during the calm morning hours. Maximum regional actual evapotranspiration (AET) was related to the morning residential microclimate effect. Residential yards in cities with maximum AET \50–65 cm/year (Phoenix and Los Angeles) were generally cooler and more humid than nearby native shrublands during summer mornings, while yards in cities above this threshold were generally warmer (Baltimore and Miami) and drier (Miami) than native forests. On average, temperature and absolute humidity were *6 % less variable among residential ecosystems than among native ecosystems from diverse regions. Conclusions These data suggest that common residential land cover and structural characteristics lead to microclimatic convergence across diverse regions at the continental scale. Title: Convergence of Microclimate in Residential Landscapes Across Diverse Cities in the United States Author: Hall, Sharon J., Learned, J, Ruddell, Benjamin, Larson, Kelli L., Cavender-Bares, Jeannine, Bettez, Neil D., Groffman, Peter M., Grove, J. Morgan, Heffernan, James B., Hobbie, Sarah E., Larson, Kristen, Morse, Jennifer L., Neill, Christopher, Nelson, Kristen C., O'Neil-Dunne, Jarlath, Ogden, Laura A., Pataki, Diane E., Pearse, William D., Polsky, Colin, Chowdhury, Rinku Roy, Steele, Meredith K., Trammell, Tara Year: 2015 Context The urban heat island (UHI) is a welldocumented pattern of warming in cities relative to rural areas. Most UHI research utilizes remote sensing methods at large scales, or climate sensors in single cities surrounded by standardized land cover. Relatively few studies have explored continental-scale climatic patterns within common urban microenvironments such as residential landscapes that may affect human comfort. Objectives We tested the urban homogenization hypothesis which states that structure and function in cities exhibit ecological ‘‘sameness’’ across diverse regions relative to the native ecosystems they replaced. Methods We deployed portable micrometeorological sensors to compare air temperature and humidity in residential yards and native landscapes across six U.S. cities that span a range of climates (Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD; and Miami, FL). Results Microclimate in residential ecosystems was more similar among cities than among native ecosystems, particularly during the calm morning hours. Maximum regional actual evapotranspiration (AET) was related to the morning residential microclimate effect. Residential yards in cities with maximum AET \50–65 cm/year (Phoenix and Los Angeles) were generally cooler and more humid than nearby native shrublands during summer mornings, while yards in cities above this threshold were generally warmer (Baltimore and Miami) and drier (Miami) than native forests. On average, temperature and absolute humidity were *6 % less variable among residential ecosystems than among native ecosystems from diverse regions. Conclusions These data suggest that common residential land cover and structural characteristics lead to microclimatic convergence across diverse regions at the continental scale. Close

• 3. [Article] Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation - Invasive Plant Species Management Plan

  2016

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation - Invasive Plant Species Management Plan Author: Patterson, Mark Andre 2016 Title: Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation - Invasive Plant Species Management Plan Author: Patterson, Mark Andre 2016 Close

• 4. [Article] Bio-Economic Modelling of the Red King Crab Invasion in the Barents Sea

  Abstract only.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Bio-Economic Modelling of the Red King Crab Invasion in the Barents Sea Author: Armstrong, Claire, Falk-Petersen, Jannike Abstract only. Title: Bio-Economic Modelling of the Red King Crab Invasion in the Barents Sea Author: Armstrong, Claire, Falk-Petersen, Jannike Abstract only. Close

• 5. [Article] Resilience to Stress and Disturbance, and Resistance to Bromus tectorum L. Invasion in Cold Desert Shrublands of Western North America

  To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Resilience to Stress and Disturbance, and Resistance to Bromus tectorum L. Invasion in Cold Desert Shrublands of Western North America Author: Miller, Richard F., Germino, Matthew J., Grace, James B., D'Antonio, Carla, Brown, Cynthia S., Bradley, Bethany A., Hardegree, Stuart P., Pyke, David A., Chambers, Jeanne C. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/10021. Title: Resilience to Stress and Disturbance, and Resistance to Bromus tectorum L. Invasion in Cold Desert Shrublands of Western North America Author: Miller, Richard F., Germino, Matthew J., Grace, James B., D'Antonio, Carla, Brown, Cynthia S., Bradley, Bethany A., Hardegree, Stuart P., Pyke, David A., Chambers, Jeanne C. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/10021. Close

• 6. [Article] Recommendations for Control of Tall Oatgrass, Poison Oak, and Rose in Willamette Valley Upland Prairies

  Native upland prairies, which once dominated the landscape of the Willamette Valley, are considered among the rarest of Oregon's ecosystems. Even though only remnants remain today, they harbor many rare ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Recommendations for Control of Tall Oatgrass, Poison Oak, and Rose in Willamette Valley Upland Prairies Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native upland prairies, which once dominated the landscape of the Willamette Valley, are considered among the rarest of Oregon's ecosystems. Even though only remnants remain today, they harbor many rare and endangered species such as the Fender's blue butterfly and its host plant, Kincaid’s lupine. Invasion of remnant prairies by woody plants and weedy non-native herbaceous species is of great concern to agencies and managers responsible for conserving these native ecosystems. Available methods for the control of these pests include herbicides, biological control, prescribed burning, and mowing. This report first reviews the literature on the control of tall oatgrass and the shrubs poison oak and rose. Each of these species is an important threat to Willamette Valley upland prairies. We then presents recommendations. For control of tall oatgrass, we recommend for most situations mowing in late spring or early summer. Mowing height should be just above most of the foliage of native plants to be protected (typically 10 cm - 15 cm). In areas with Kincaid’s lupine and Fender’s blue butterfly, mowing should be delayed until July, after the flowering and flight seasons. For control of prairie shrubs, we recommend further studies to evaluate herbicide effectiveness against the target shrubs and safety for non-target native plants and animals. If herbicide use is unavailable, we recommend burning or mowing. All burning or mowing treatments should be repeated, perhaps indefinitely, to maintain pest plant control. Title: Recommendations for Control of Tall Oatgrass, Poison Oak, and Rose in Willamette Valley Upland Prairies Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Native upland prairies, which once dominated the landscape of the Willamette Valley, are considered among the rarest of Oregon's ecosystems. Even though only remnants remain today, they harbor many rare and endangered species such as the Fender's blue butterfly and its host plant, Kincaid’s lupine. Invasion of remnant prairies by woody plants and weedy non-native herbaceous species is of great concern to agencies and managers responsible for conserving these native ecosystems. Available methods for the control of these pests include herbicides, biological control, prescribed burning, and mowing. This report first reviews the literature on the control of tall oatgrass and the shrubs poison oak and rose. Each of these species is an important threat to Willamette Valley upland prairies. We then presents recommendations. For control of tall oatgrass, we recommend for most situations mowing in late spring or early summer. Mowing height should be just above most of the foliage of native plants to be protected (typically 10 cm - 15 cm). In areas with Kincaid’s lupine and Fender’s blue butterfly, mowing should be delayed until July, after the flowering and flight seasons. For control of prairie shrubs, we recommend further studies to evaluate herbicide effectiveness against the target shrubs and safety for non-target native plants and animals. If herbicide use is unavailable, we recommend burning or mowing. All burning or mowing treatments should be repeated, perhaps indefinitely, to maintain pest plant control. Close

• 7. [Article] Willamette Valley prairie restoration : the Native Seed Network and Sidalcea

  My internship was conducted with the Native Seed Network program within the Institute for Applied Ecology, a non-profit organization located in Corvallis, whose focus is education, applied research and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Willamette Valley prairie restoration : the Native Seed Network and Sidalcea Author: Lambert, Joshua K. My internship was conducted with the Native Seed Network program within the Institute for Applied Ecology, a non-profit organization located in Corvallis, whose focus is education, applied research and active restoration and of native ecosystems. My internship goals were to increase my experience in applied restoration ecology and conservation biology with the emphasis on native plant communities in particular the endangered prairie communities of the Willamette Valley. These goals were met through my tenure with the Native Seed Network’s native seed collection and increase program during the 2007 field season. This work provided me strong experience with a process necessary for genetically conservative restoration and provided the NSN with a willing intern to complete their goals for 2007. Additional work I accomplished included a morphometric analysis of the native Willamette Valley prairie forb Sidalcea campestris which served as one constituent towards resolving the general ambiguity of this focal species for prairie restoration. Included in this analysis is a presentation and my interpretation of an initial molecular phylogenetic analysis on a selection of S. campestris accessions by Liston and deFeniks (unpublished) that may aid in the future resolution of S. campestris and other congeners in the Willamette Valley. The purpose of the morphological research was not mastery of population genetics or statistics but an exercise in concentration and achievement towards a more integrated and advanced application of taxonomic work oriented towards preserving biological diversity. This entire report completes the written requirement for the Professional Science Masters degree in Applied Systematic through the Botany and Plant Pathology Department at Oregon State University. Title: Willamette Valley prairie restoration : the Native Seed Network and Sidalcea Author: Lambert, Joshua K. My internship was conducted with the Native Seed Network program within the Institute for Applied Ecology, a non-profit organization located in Corvallis, whose focus is education, applied research and active restoration and of native ecosystems. My internship goals were to increase my experience in applied restoration ecology and conservation biology with the emphasis on native plant communities in particular the endangered prairie communities of the Willamette Valley. These goals were met through my tenure with the Native Seed Network’s native seed collection and increase program during the 2007 field season. This work provided me strong experience with a process necessary for genetically conservative restoration and provided the NSN with a willing intern to complete their goals for 2007. Additional work I accomplished included a morphometric analysis of the native Willamette Valley prairie forb Sidalcea campestris which served as one constituent towards resolving the general ambiguity of this focal species for prairie restoration. Included in this analysis is a presentation and my interpretation of an initial molecular phylogenetic analysis on a selection of S. campestris accessions by Liston and deFeniks (unpublished) that may aid in the future resolution of S. campestris and other congeners in the Willamette Valley. The purpose of the morphological research was not mastery of population genetics or statistics but an exercise in concentration and achievement towards a more integrated and advanced application of taxonomic work oriented towards preserving biological diversity. This entire report completes the written requirement for the Professional Science Masters degree in Applied Systematic through the Botany and Plant Pathology Department at Oregon State University. Close

• 8. [Article] Food systems in the Marys River region and reinhabitation

  Reinhabitation is an approach to building local cultures and economies within industrial society. The food system is a vital starting point. What are the principles of reinhabitory food systems? What are ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Food systems in the Marys River region and reinhabitation Author: Burke, Erik P. Reinhabitation is an approach to building local cultures and economies within industrial society. The food system is a vital starting point. What are the principles of reinhabitory food systems? What are the possibilities for a locally adapted food system in the Marys River region of western Oregon? I describe past and present food systems in the region and give recommendations for building a reinhabitory food system. Native people established locally adapted food systems in the Marys River region and maintained them for thousands of years, culminating in the Kalapuyan food system that existed at Euroamerican contact. Euroamericans began to settle in the region in 1845, and immediately began to domesticate the landscape, replacing native ecosystems with cropland and pasture. By 1900, a diversified food system had emerged with several locally adapted characteristics. The industrial food system replaced the diversified food system during World War II, and has dominated since then. Locally adapted elements of food systems were rapidly abandoned. Industrialism emphasized mass production of export crops using fossil fuels, heavy machinery, and agrichemicals. A large variety of cultural, economic, and ecological problems emerged, and the health of natural and human communities was diminished. Reinhabitation is a positive response to the problems of industrial food systems. A locally adapted food system in the Marys River region is possible. There is enough agricultural land to feed the population. A small but growing segment of the local population has established alternative food systems, and initiated the process of building a regional food system. Reviewing the history of the Marys River region helps clarify how to apply principles of reinhabitation in the region. Title: Food systems in the Marys River region and reinhabitation Author: Burke, Erik P. Reinhabitation is an approach to building local cultures and economies within industrial society. The food system is a vital starting point. What are the principles of reinhabitory food systems? What are the possibilities for a locally adapted food system in the Marys River region of western Oregon? I describe past and present food systems in the region and give recommendations for building a reinhabitory food system. Native people established locally adapted food systems in the Marys River region and maintained them for thousands of years, culminating in the Kalapuyan food system that existed at Euroamerican contact. Euroamericans began to settle in the region in 1845, and immediately began to domesticate the landscape, replacing native ecosystems with cropland and pasture. By 1900, a diversified food system had emerged with several locally adapted characteristics. The industrial food system replaced the diversified food system during World War II, and has dominated since then. Locally adapted elements of food systems were rapidly abandoned. Industrialism emphasized mass production of export crops using fossil fuels, heavy machinery, and agrichemicals. A large variety of cultural, economic, and ecological problems emerged, and the health of natural and human communities was diminished. Reinhabitation is a positive response to the problems of industrial food systems. A locally adapted food system in the Marys River region is possible. There is enough agricultural land to feed the population. A small but growing segment of the local population has established alternative food systems, and initiated the process of building a regional food system. Reviewing the history of the Marys River region helps clarify how to apply principles of reinhabitation in the region. Close

• 9. [Article] The Aquarium Trade as an Invasion Pathway in the Pacific Northwest

  The aquarium trade moves thousands of species around the globe, and unwanted organisms may be released into freshwaters, with adverse ecological and economic effects. We report on the first investigation ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Aquarium Trade as an Invasion Pathway in the Pacific Northwest Author: Strecker, Angela L., Campbell, Philip M., Olden, Julian D. Year: 2011 The aquarium trade moves thousands of species around the globe, and unwanted organisms may be released into freshwaters, with adverse ecological and economic effects. We report on the first investigation of the ornamental pet trade as an invasion pathway in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, where a moderate climate and a large human population present ample opportunities for the introduction and establishment of aquarium trade species. Results from a regional survey of pet stores found that the number of fish (n=400) and plant (n=124) species currently in the aquarium trade is vast. Pet stores import thousands of fish every month, the majority of which (58%) are considered to pose an ecological threat to native ecosystems. Our propagule pressure model suggests that approximately 2,500 fish (maximum 21,000 individuals) are likely released annually to the Puget Sound region by aquarists, and that water temperatures in many parts of Washington are suitable for establishment of populations. In conclusion, the aquarium trade may be a significant source of past and future invasions in the Pacific Northwest, and we recommend enhanced public education programs, greater regulation of the aquarium industry, and improved legislation of nonnative species in the ornamental trade. Title: The Aquarium Trade as an Invasion Pathway in the Pacific Northwest Author: Strecker, Angela L., Campbell, Philip M., Olden, Julian D. Year: 2011 The aquarium trade moves thousands of species around the globe, and unwanted organisms may be released into freshwaters, with adverse ecological and economic effects. We report on the first investigation of the ornamental pet trade as an invasion pathway in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, where a moderate climate and a large human population present ample opportunities for the introduction and establishment of aquarium trade species. Results from a regional survey of pet stores found that the number of fish (n=400) and plant (n=124) species currently in the aquarium trade is vast. Pet stores import thousands of fish every month, the majority of which (58%) are considered to pose an ecological threat to native ecosystems. Our propagule pressure model suggests that approximately 2,500 fish (maximum 21,000 individuals) are likely released annually to the Puget Sound region by aquarists, and that water temperatures in many parts of Washington are suitable for establishment of populations. In conclusion, the aquarium trade may be a significant source of past and future invasions in the Pacific Northwest, and we recommend enhanced public education programs, greater regulation of the aquarium industry, and improved legislation of nonnative species in the ornamental trade. Close

• 10. [Article] Linking removal targets to the ecological effects of invaders: a predictive model and field test

  Species invasions have a range of negative effects on recipient ecosystems, and many occur at a scale and magnitude that preclude complete eradication. When complete extirpation is unlikely with available ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Linking removal targets to the ecological effects of invaders: a predictive model and field test Author: Brooks, Annabelle L. M., Côté, Isabelle M., Miller, Skylar, Green, Stephanie J., Dulvy, Nicholas K., Cooper, Andrew B., Akins, John L. Species invasions have a range of negative effects on recipient ecosystems, and many occur at a scale and magnitude that preclude complete eradication. When complete extirpation is unlikely with available management resources, an effective strategy may be to suppress invasive populations below levels predicted to cause undesirable ecological change. We illustrate this approach by developing and testing targets for the control of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) on Western Atlantic coral reefs. We first developed a size structured simulation model of predation by lionfish on native fish communities, which we used to predict threshold densities of lionfish beyond which native fish biomass should decline. We then tested our predictions by experimentally manipulating lionfish densities above or below reef-specific thresholds, and monitoring the consequences for native fish populations on 24 Bahamian patch reefs over 18 months. We found that reducing lionfish below predicted threshold densities effectively protected native fish community biomass from predation-induced declines. Reductions in density of 75- 95%, depending on the reef, were required to suppress lionfish below levels predicted to over-consume prey. On reefs where lionfish were kept threshold densities, native prey fish biomass increased by 50-70%. Gains in small (<6cm) size classes of native fishes translated into lagged increases in larger size classes over time. The biomass of larger individuals (>15cm total length), including ecologically important grazers and economically important fisheries species, had increased by 10-65% by the end of the experiment. Crucially, similar gains in prey fish biomass were realized on reefs subjected to partial and full removal of lionfish, but partial removals took 30% less time to implement. By contrast, the biomass of small native fishes declined by more than 50% on all reefs with lionfish densities exceeding reef-specific thresholds. Large inter-reef variation in the biomass of prey fishes at the outset of the study, which influences the threshold density of lionfish, means that we identify a single rule-of-thumb for guiding control efforts. However, our model provides a method for setting reef-specific targets for population control using local monitoring data. Our work is the first to demonstrate that for ongoing invasions, suppressing invaders below densitiesterms of protecting the native ecosystem on a local scale, to achieving complete eradication Title: Linking removal targets to the ecological effects of invaders: a predictive model and field test Author: Brooks, Annabelle L. M., Côté, Isabelle M., Miller, Skylar, Green, Stephanie J., Dulvy, Nicholas K., Cooper, Andrew B., Akins, John L. Species invasions have a range of negative effects on recipient ecosystems, and many occur at a scale and magnitude that preclude complete eradication. When complete extirpation is unlikely with available management resources, an effective strategy may be to suppress invasive populations below levels predicted to cause undesirable ecological change. We illustrate this approach by developing and testing targets for the control of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) on Western Atlantic coral reefs. We first developed a size structured simulation model of predation by lionfish on native fish communities, which we used to predict threshold densities of lionfish beyond which native fish biomass should decline. We then tested our predictions by experimentally manipulating lionfish densities above or below reef-specific thresholds, and monitoring the consequences for native fish populations on 24 Bahamian patch reefs over 18 months. We found that reducing lionfish below predicted threshold densities effectively protected native fish community biomass from predation-induced declines. Reductions in density of 75- 95%, depending on the reef, were required to suppress lionfish below levels predicted to over-consume prey. On reefs where lionfish were kept threshold densities, native prey fish biomass increased by 50-70%. Gains in small (<6cm) size classes of native fishes translated into lagged increases in larger size classes over time. The biomass of larger individuals (>15cm total length), including ecologically important grazers and economically important fisheries species, had increased by 10-65% by the end of the experiment. Crucially, similar gains in prey fish biomass were realized on reefs subjected to partial and full removal of lionfish, but partial removals took 30% less time to implement. By contrast, the biomass of small native fishes declined by more than 50% on all reefs with lionfish densities exceeding reef-specific thresholds. Large inter-reef variation in the biomass of prey fishes at the outset of the study, which influences the threshold density of lionfish, means that we identify a single rule-of-thumb for guiding control efforts. However, our model provides a method for setting reef-specific targets for population control using local monitoring data. Our work is the first to demonstrate that for ongoing invasions, suppressing invaders below densitiesterms of protecting the native ecosystem on a local scale, to achieving complete eradication Close

• 11. [Article] Foraging in disturbed areas : a study of sweat bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in Oregon

  Bees provide vital ecosystem services for cropping systems as well as natural landscapes. Declines in both both native bee and managed honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations has brought attention to ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Foraging in disturbed areas : a study of sweat bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in Oregon Author: Broussard, Melissa Bees provide vital ecosystem services for cropping systems as well as natural landscapes. Declines in both both native bee and managed honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations has brought attention to the significance of their role as pollinators in managed and native ecosystems. As a result, conservation efforts have been undertaken to preserve them. While considerable attention has been given to honey bees, relatively little is known about many native bee species. Of particular interest is the family Halictidae, which can comprise the majority of observed individuals in many habitats. These, often small, bees are difficult to identify, and, as a result, relatively little is known about their preferred floral hosts. Because bee species assemblages vary significantly from region to region, it is important to have an understanding of local populations and their floral hosts. It is also important to understand factors which affect the quantity and quality of floral resources, such as anthropogenic disturbance. The Pacific Northwest is a diverse landscape, with rich agricultural and wildland environments that require pollinators in order to continue to thrive. Two studies examine the interface between these two systems, the first explores how roadside disturbance, which is prevalent across the world, impacts native pollinators across habitat types, and the second explores the diet of common native species, and how that diet changes across habitat types. In these studies, it was found that roadside disturbance was associated with reduced native bee diversity and abundance in the seasonally wet Willamette Valley of Oregon, but not in the more xeric Central Oregon. Bee abundance was positively correlated with temperature. Bee diet was more diverse in areas of scarce floral resources. In both regions, exotic plants were important floral hosts, representing nearly half of observed floral visitations. This thesis presents results of species analysis, floral richness and density correlations, and comparisons of floral resources used by different bee species. Implications and recommendations for land management are discussed. Title: Foraging in disturbed areas : a study of sweat bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in Oregon Author: Broussard, Melissa Bees provide vital ecosystem services for cropping systems as well as natural landscapes. Declines in both both native bee and managed honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations has brought attention to the significance of their role as pollinators in managed and native ecosystems. As a result, conservation efforts have been undertaken to preserve them. While considerable attention has been given to honey bees, relatively little is known about many native bee species. Of particular interest is the family Halictidae, which can comprise the majority of observed individuals in many habitats. These, often small, bees are difficult to identify, and, as a result, relatively little is known about their preferred floral hosts. Because bee species assemblages vary significantly from region to region, it is important to have an understanding of local populations and their floral hosts. It is also important to understand factors which affect the quantity and quality of floral resources, such as anthropogenic disturbance. The Pacific Northwest is a diverse landscape, with rich agricultural and wildland environments that require pollinators in order to continue to thrive. Two studies examine the interface between these two systems, the first explores how roadside disturbance, which is prevalent across the world, impacts native pollinators across habitat types, and the second explores the diet of common native species, and how that diet changes across habitat types. In these studies, it was found that roadside disturbance was associated with reduced native bee diversity and abundance in the seasonally wet Willamette Valley of Oregon, but not in the more xeric Central Oregon. Bee abundance was positively correlated with temperature. Bee diet was more diverse in areas of scarce floral resources. In both regions, exotic plants were important floral hosts, representing nearly half of observed floral visitations. This thesis presents results of species analysis, floral richness and density correlations, and comparisons of floral resources used by different bee species. Implications and recommendations for land management are discussed. Close

• 12. [Article] Conservation of Sidalcea nelsoniana through habitat management : effects of burning, mowing, and altered flooding regime on a rare Willamette Valley perennial

  Active habitat management plays a key role in the preservation of native ecosystems and rare species, especially in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, where natural succession to woodlands threatens the ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Conservation of Sidalcea nelsoniana through habitat management : effects of burning, mowing, and altered flooding regime on a rare Willamette Valley perennial Author: Bartels, Marilynn R. Active habitat management plays a key role in the preservation of native ecosystems and rare species, especially in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, where natural succession to woodlands threatens the few wetland prairies remaining after 150 years of agriculture and urbanization. Sidalcea nelsoniana, listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, is native to these wetland prairies. The studies described here provide basic information about the habitat requirements and tolerances of S. nelsoniana while testing for the first time the impact of specific management techniques on its growth and reproduction. The effects of prescribed burning and mowing on S. nelsoniana and its habitat were investigated in a field population at W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge near Corvallis, Oregon. Measurements of S. nelsoniana and aspects of the surrounding vegetation were recorded during the summer of 1998 within 112 permanent S. nelsoniana-centered quadrats. Burning and mowing treatments were applied in the fall of 1998 and the same measurements of S. nelsoniana and the surrounding vegetation were recorded during the summer of 1999. Treatments had no direct effects on S. nelsoniana performance, but burning and mowing reduced canopy cover, a primary goal of prairie maintenance and restoration. Because perennials often respond slowly to changes in habitat, effects of these manipulations may be more evident in future years. Wetland species may also be sensitive to site hydrology, so maintaining the proper water regime is another important component of wetland prairie management and restoration. A second experimental study evaluated the flooding tolerance of S. nelsoniana. Rhizome fragments were transplanted into pots exposed to four flooding conditions: drained soil, saturated soil with no standing water, standing water from mid-November through mid-April and standing water from mid-November through mid-June. Plants with drained soil died as the spring rains declined, and plants flooded past April died by mid-June. Plants in saturated soils and those flooded until mid-April were most successful. These two treatments most closely match conditions found in Willamette Valley wetland prairies, including S. nelsoniana sites, and suggest that the current distribution of S. nelsoniana approximately matches its hydrologic requirements. Management plans to flood a S. nelsoniana site beyond mid-April might harm this protected species. Title: Conservation of Sidalcea nelsoniana through habitat management : effects of burning, mowing, and altered flooding regime on a rare Willamette Valley perennial Author: Bartels, Marilynn R. Active habitat management plays a key role in the preservation of native ecosystems and rare species, especially in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, where natural succession to woodlands threatens the few wetland prairies remaining after 150 years of agriculture and urbanization. Sidalcea nelsoniana, listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, is native to these wetland prairies. The studies described here provide basic information about the habitat requirements and tolerances of S. nelsoniana while testing for the first time the impact of specific management techniques on its growth and reproduction. The effects of prescribed burning and mowing on S. nelsoniana and its habitat were investigated in a field population at W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge near Corvallis, Oregon. Measurements of S. nelsoniana and aspects of the surrounding vegetation were recorded during the summer of 1998 within 112 permanent S. nelsoniana-centered quadrats. Burning and mowing treatments were applied in the fall of 1998 and the same measurements of S. nelsoniana and the surrounding vegetation were recorded during the summer of 1999. Treatments had no direct effects on S. nelsoniana performance, but burning and mowing reduced canopy cover, a primary goal of prairie maintenance and restoration. Because perennials often respond slowly to changes in habitat, effects of these manipulations may be more evident in future years. Wetland species may also be sensitive to site hydrology, so maintaining the proper water regime is another important component of wetland prairie management and restoration. A second experimental study evaluated the flooding tolerance of S. nelsoniana. Rhizome fragments were transplanted into pots exposed to four flooding conditions: drained soil, saturated soil with no standing water, standing water from mid-November through mid-April and standing water from mid-November through mid-June. Plants with drained soil died as the spring rains declined, and plants flooded past April died by mid-June. Plants in saturated soils and those flooded until mid-April were most successful. These two treatments most closely match conditions found in Willamette Valley wetland prairies, including S. nelsoniana sites, and suggest that the current distribution of S. nelsoniana approximately matches its hydrologic requirements. Management plans to flood a S. nelsoniana site beyond mid-April might harm this protected species. Close

• 13. [Article] 2009 Foskett Spring Speckled Dace Investigations Progress Report 2009

  Abstract -- Speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) are geographically widespread throughout the western United States and occur in many isolated subbasins and interior drainages in south-central Oregon. The ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 2009 Foskett Spring Speckled Dace Investigations Progress Report 2009 Abstract -- Speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) are geographically widespread throughout the western United States and occur in many isolated subbasins and interior drainages in south-central Oregon. The Foskett Spring speckled dace (R. osculus ssp.) is represented by a single population that inhabits Foskett Spring (Figure 1) on the west side of Coleman Lake (Warner Lakes subbasin) in Lake County, Oregon. Foskett speckled dace was listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1985 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). The Foskett speckled dace became isolated in Foskett Spring at the end of the Pluvial period (~9,000-10,000 years ago). Foskett Spring is a natural spring that rises from a springhead pool, flows through a narrow spring brook into a series of shallow marshes, and then disappears into the soil of the normally dry Coleman Lake (Figure 1). A second population in Dace Spring, located approximately 0.8 kilometer south of Foskett Spring, was established from an introduction of 100 fish from Foskett Spring in 1979-1980 (Williams et al. 1990); however recent surveys have failed to document their continued existence at this location. In 1987, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acquired, through exchange, the 65 hectare parcel of land containing Foskett and Dace Springs. Both sites were fenced to exclude livestock. The Recovery Plan for the threatened and rare native fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin states that Foskett speckled dace will probably not be delisted in the near future because of its extremely isolated range and potential for degradation of its habitat from localized events (USFWS 1997). The primary recovery objective for this species is long-term persistence through preservation of its native ecosystem. The plan further states that the conservation and long term sustainability of this species will be met when: 1) long-term protection of its habitat, including spring source aquifers, springpools and outflow channels, and surrounding lands is assured; 2) long-term habitat management guidelines are developed and implemented to ensure the continued persistence of important habitat features and guidelines include monitoring of current habitat and investigation for and evaluation of new spring habitats; and 3) research into life-history, genetics, population trends, habitat use and preference, and other important parameters is conducted to assist in further developing or refining criteria 1) and 2), above. Actions needed to meet these criteria include protecting the fish population and its habitat, conserving genetic diversity of the fish population, ensuring adequate water supplies are available, monitoring of the dace population and habitat conditions, and evaluating long-term effects of climatic trends on recovery of this fish population. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the status of the federally listed Foskett Spring speckled dace and its habitat. This report updates a monitoring program initiated in 2005 by ODFW (Scheerer and Jacobs 2005) by providing results of monitoring conducted in 2009. Specifically, this monitoring program calls for biannual estimates of population abundance, assessments of distribution and demographic parameters and assessments of physical habitat conditions. Title: 2009 Foskett Spring Speckled Dace Investigations Progress Report 2009 Abstract -- Speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) are geographically widespread throughout the western United States and occur in many isolated subbasins and interior drainages in south-central Oregon. The Foskett Spring speckled dace (R. osculus ssp.) is represented by a single population that inhabits Foskett Spring (Figure 1) on the west side of Coleman Lake (Warner Lakes subbasin) in Lake County, Oregon. Foskett speckled dace was listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1985 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1985). The Foskett speckled dace became isolated in Foskett Spring at the end of the Pluvial period (~9,000-10,000 years ago). Foskett Spring is a natural spring that rises from a springhead pool, flows through a narrow spring brook into a series of shallow marshes, and then disappears into the soil of the normally dry Coleman Lake (Figure 1). A second population in Dace Spring, located approximately 0.8 kilometer south of Foskett Spring, was established from an introduction of 100 fish from Foskett Spring in 1979-1980 (Williams et al. 1990); however recent surveys have failed to document their continued existence at this location. In 1987, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acquired, through exchange, the 65 hectare parcel of land containing Foskett and Dace Springs. Both sites were fenced to exclude livestock. The Recovery Plan for the threatened and rare native fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin states that Foskett speckled dace will probably not be delisted in the near future because of its extremely isolated range and potential for degradation of its habitat from localized events (USFWS 1997). The primary recovery objective for this species is long-term persistence through preservation of its native ecosystem. The plan further states that the conservation and long term sustainability of this species will be met when: 1) long-term protection of its habitat, including spring source aquifers, springpools and outflow channels, and surrounding lands is assured; 2) long-term habitat management guidelines are developed and implemented to ensure the continued persistence of important habitat features and guidelines include monitoring of current habitat and investigation for and evaluation of new spring habitats; and 3) research into life-history, genetics, population trends, habitat use and preference, and other important parameters is conducted to assist in further developing or refining criteria 1) and 2), above. Actions needed to meet these criteria include protecting the fish population and its habitat, conserving genetic diversity of the fish population, ensuring adequate water supplies are available, monitoring of the dace population and habitat conditions, and evaluating long-term effects of climatic trends on recovery of this fish population. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the status of the federally listed Foskett Spring speckled dace and its habitat. This report updates a monitoring program initiated in 2005 by ODFW (Scheerer and Jacobs 2005) by providing results of monitoring conducted in 2009. Specifically, this monitoring program calls for biannual estimates of population abundance, assessments of distribution and demographic parameters and assessments of physical habitat conditions. Close

• 14. [Article] Landsat-based monitoring of annual wetland change in the main-stem Willamette River floodplain of Oregon, USA from 1972 to 2012

  Despite holding substantial ecological value, wetlands in the United States have experienced a significant decline in both area and function over the past century with the majority of freshwater wetland ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Landsat-based monitoring of annual wetland change in the main-stem Willamette River floodplain of Oregon, USA from 1972 to 2012 Author: Fickas, Kate, Colleen Despite holding substantial ecological value, wetlands in the United States have experienced a significant decline in both area and function over the past century with the majority of freshwater wetland loss attributed to agricultural conversion. Agriculture is the second largest industry in the State of Oregon and the State places substantial emphasis in its land use planning goals on the preservation of agricultural land. Oregon’s Willamette Valley accounts for the majority of agricultural output with 53% of the valley bottom classified as agricultural land. Additionally, the valley houses 70% of the state's population. The valley was once comprised of extensive wet prairies and abundant riparian forests along the Willamette River floodplain, but native ecosystems have been reduced to a fraction of their original distribution since Euro-American settlement in the mid 1800s. The few wetlands that remain are at high risk to loss and degradation from agricultural activity. Following national wetland conservation policies, Oregon has since attempted to monitor and regulate losses due to disturbance and modification of the State's remaining wetlands through a "no-net-loss" policy aiming to decrease wetland losses and replace disturbed wetlands through mitigation. The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) was designed to produce detailed maps and status reports of the characteristics and extent of the nation's wetlands and help determine the efficacy of no-net-loss policy implementation on the nation’s wetlands. In some cases, the NWI has been found to have low categorical and spatial accuracy and coarse temporal resolution, with some maps over two decades old. Although Landsat satellite imagery was originally found to lack the needed spatial resolution for classification detail and wetness designation that aerial photography provided, Landsat has 40 years of freely available, high quality annual imagery and should be explored for use in annual wetland change detection. Our objectives were to: (1) Quantify and characterize spatial and ecological trends in annual wetland change through gain, loss, and conversion in the Willamette Valley; (2) Evaluate the effect of the no-net-loss federal wetland conservation policy change enacted in 1990 on trends in net wetland area; and (3) Describe a new methodology that reaches back through the over 40-year Landsat archive to map fine scale wetland and related land-use changes from 1972-2012. We used annual Landsat MSS and TM/ETM+ images from 1972 to 2012 to manually interpret loss, gain, and type conversion of wetland area in the two-year inundation floodplain of the Main-Stem Willamette River using TimeSync, Google Earth, and ArcMap. By creating Tasseled Cap Brightness, Greenness, and Wetness indices for MSS data that visually match TM/ETM+ Tasseled Cap images, we were able to construct a complete and consistent annual time series and utilize the entire Landsat archive. Additionally, with an extended time series, we were able to compare trends of annual net change in wetland area before and after the no-net-loss policy established under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act in 1990. We found that wetlands experienced annual loss, gain, and type conversion across the entire study period. Vegetated wetlands (emergent and riparian wetlands) experienced a 314 ha net loss of wetland area across the 40 year study period whereas non-vegetated wetlands (lacustrine and riverine wetlands) experienced a 393 ha net gain. All wetland types combined saw a 79 ha net increase in wetland area across the full study period. The majority of both gain and loss in the study area was attributed to and from agricultural conversion followed by urban land use. Time series analysis of the rate of change of net wetland area was calculated using the Theil-Sen (TS) Slope estimate analysis. For annual change of wetland area before and after 1990 no-net-loss policy implementations, the rate of annual wetland area lost slowed for riparian wetlands and reversed into trends of annual net gain in area of emergent wetlands. The rate of annual net area gained for lacustrine wetlands was slowed post-policy. Accuracy assessment of land use change polygons in the field was only able to capture 12% of our interpretations due to access restrictions associated with private land. In spite of a low sample size (n=45), overall accuracy of land use classification through wetland change polygons was at 80%. This accuracy increased to 91.1% when land use classes were aggregated to either wetland or upland categories, indicating that our methodology was more accurate at distinguishing between general upland and wetland than finer categorical classes. Title: Landsat-based monitoring of annual wetland change in the main-stem Willamette River floodplain of Oregon, USA from 1972 to 2012 Author: Fickas, Kate, Colleen Despite holding substantial ecological value, wetlands in the United States have experienced a significant decline in both area and function over the past century with the majority of freshwater wetland loss attributed to agricultural conversion. Agriculture is the second largest industry in the State of Oregon and the State places substantial emphasis in its land use planning goals on the preservation of agricultural land. Oregon’s Willamette Valley accounts for the majority of agricultural output with 53% of the valley bottom classified as agricultural land. Additionally, the valley houses 70% of the state's population. The valley was once comprised of extensive wet prairies and abundant riparian forests along the Willamette River floodplain, but native ecosystems have been reduced to a fraction of their original distribution since Euro-American settlement in the mid 1800s. The few wetlands that remain are at high risk to loss and degradation from agricultural activity. Following national wetland conservation policies, Oregon has since attempted to monitor and regulate losses due to disturbance and modification of the State's remaining wetlands through a "no-net-loss" policy aiming to decrease wetland losses and replace disturbed wetlands through mitigation. The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) was designed to produce detailed maps and status reports of the characteristics and extent of the nation's wetlands and help determine the efficacy of no-net-loss policy implementation on the nation’s wetlands. In some cases, the NWI has been found to have low categorical and spatial accuracy and coarse temporal resolution, with some maps over two decades old. Although Landsat satellite imagery was originally found to lack the needed spatial resolution for classification detail and wetness designation that aerial photography provided, Landsat has 40 years of freely available, high quality annual imagery and should be explored for use in annual wetland change detection. Our objectives were to: (1) Quantify and characterize spatial and ecological trends in annual wetland change through gain, loss, and conversion in the Willamette Valley; (2) Evaluate the effect of the no-net-loss federal wetland conservation policy change enacted in 1990 on trends in net wetland area; and (3) Describe a new methodology that reaches back through the over 40-year Landsat archive to map fine scale wetland and related land-use changes from 1972-2012. We used annual Landsat MSS and TM/ETM+ images from 1972 to 2012 to manually interpret loss, gain, and type conversion of wetland area in the two-year inundation floodplain of the Main-Stem Willamette River using TimeSync, Google Earth, and ArcMap. By creating Tasseled Cap Brightness, Greenness, and Wetness indices for MSS data that visually match TM/ETM+ Tasseled Cap images, we were able to construct a complete and consistent annual time series and utilize the entire Landsat archive. Additionally, with an extended time series, we were able to compare trends of annual net change in wetland area before and after the no-net-loss policy established under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act in 1990. We found that wetlands experienced annual loss, gain, and type conversion across the entire study period. Vegetated wetlands (emergent and riparian wetlands) experienced a 314 ha net loss of wetland area across the 40 year study period whereas non-vegetated wetlands (lacustrine and riverine wetlands) experienced a 393 ha net gain. All wetland types combined saw a 79 ha net increase in wetland area across the full study period. The majority of both gain and loss in the study area was attributed to and from agricultural conversion followed by urban land use. Time series analysis of the rate of change of net wetland area was calculated using the Theil-Sen (TS) Slope estimate analysis. For annual change of wetland area before and after 1990 no-net-loss policy implementations, the rate of annual wetland area lost slowed for riparian wetlands and reversed into trends of annual net gain in area of emergent wetlands. The rate of annual net area gained for lacustrine wetlands was slowed post-policy. Accuracy assessment of land use change polygons in the field was only able to capture 12% of our interpretations due to access restrictions associated with private land. In spite of a low sample size (n=45), overall accuracy of land use classification through wetland change polygons was at 80%. This accuracy increased to 91.1% when land use classes were aggregated to either wetland or upland categories, indicating that our methodology was more accurate at distinguishing between general upland and wetland than finer categorical classes. Close

• 15. [Article] Effects of the invasive Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans on native Atlantic coral-reef fish communities

  Predatory lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) were introduced to Florida waters during the mid to late 1980s, and eventually established self-sustaining breeding populations in the tropical western ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of the invasive Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans on native Atlantic coral-reef fish communities Author: Albins, Mark A. Predatory lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) were introduced to Florida waters during the mid to late 1980s, and eventually established self-sustaining breeding populations in the tropical western Atlantic. These invasive species are now widespread along the southeastern seaboard of the United States, across the Caribbean Sea, and in the Gulf of Mexico. In these regions, lionfish reach larger maximum sizes and higher abundances than they do in their native Pacific, suggesting that they have undergone ecological release. Invaded marine communities have thus far provided little if any biotic resistance. Lionfish are generalist predators with high consumption rates, inhabit a broad range of habitats, are defended from predation by venomous spines, and are capable of long-range larval dispersal. It is possible that lionfish have direct effects on native communities, through consumption of native fishes and competition with native predators, as well as indirect effects, such as overconsumption of herbivorous fishes that prevent seaweeds from outcompeting reef-building corals. There is also serious concern that invasive lionfish could act additively, or even synergistically, with existing stressors of coral-reef systems, such as overfishing and ocean warming, resulting in substantial negative consequences for native ecosystems and economically valuable fisheries. The primary goal of this dissertation was to conduct a set of controlled, replicated field experiments to rigorously examine and measure the effects of lionfish on native reef-fish communities across a range of spatial and temporal scales. In the first experiment (Chapter 2), the net recruitment of native fishes to twenty small patch reefs was compared in the presence (n = 10) and absence (n = 10) of lionfish. This study demonstrated that lionfish reduced net recruitment, or change in abundance of small native fishes, by an average (± SEM) of 78.9 ± 32.2 % over 5 weeks, affecting 23 of 38 species recruiting to reefs in both treatments. In a second experiment (Chapter 4), I examined the effects of lionfish on patch-reef communities of small native fishes relative to, and in combination with, those of a similarly sized native predator, the coney grouper (Cephalopholis fulva). Four different predator treatments were established by transplanting predators (n = 5 reefs each). Treatments included a single small invasive lionfish, a single small native grouper, a grouper and a lionfish together, and predator-free controls. Compared to controls, invasive lionfish caused reductions (mean ± SEM) in abundance (93.7 ± 17.8 %) and species richness (4.6 ± 1.6 species) of small native fishes. The negative effect of lionfish on abundance was 2.6 ± 0.5 times stronger than that of the native grouper. The greatest negative effects on abundance, species richness, evenness, and diversity of native fishes occurred when both lionfish and native grouper were present. Additionally, lionfish grew more than six times faster in both length and mass than did native grouper. A third experiment (Chapter 6) assessed the effects of lionfish on native reef-fish communities at spatial and temporal scales directly relevant to management and conservation efforts. Subsequent to baseline surveys, high- and low-density lionfish treatments were established on 10 large (1400 to 4000 m²) isolated coral reefs. After initiation of treatments, quarterly surveys of the native reef-fish communities were conducted for approximately 14 months. Lionfish caused significant reductions (mean ± SEM) in density (up to 3.22 ± 0.95 fish m⁻²), biomass (3.26 ± 1.10 g m⁻²), and species richness (4.92 ± 2.09 species) of small (<10 cm TL) native fishes. However, these negative effects on prey-sized fishes had not yet translated into declines in larger size classes during the first 14 months of this experiment. In addition to field experiments, this dissertation describes field and aquarium observations of a previously undocumented piscivorous behavior by invasive lionfish - blowing jets of water at prey fish - which may confer a high degree of predation efficiency, thus contributing to the dramatic success of the invasion (Chapter 5). Also provided is a review of the current state of knowledge about the lionfish invasion, with speculation on the long-term effects of the invasion on coral-reef communities, and a brief discussion of potential mitigation measures (Chapter 3). In sum, this research demonstrated that invasive lionfish have substantial negative effects on native communities of coral-reef fishes. In all cases, numerical reductions in small (prey-sized) native fishes caused by lionfish were substantial. Additionally, lionfish caused considerable reductions in native reef-fish species richness (via predation on rare species). These findings indicate that the lionfish invasion may have long-term, broad-scale impacts on the structure and function of coral-reef communities as a whole, potentially reducing the resilience of these systems to a myriad of existing stressors as well as their capacity to provide valuable ecosystem goods and services to humans. Title: Effects of the invasive Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans on native Atlantic coral-reef fish communities Author: Albins, Mark A. Predatory lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) were introduced to Florida waters during the mid to late 1980s, and eventually established self-sustaining breeding populations in the tropical western Atlantic. These invasive species are now widespread along the southeastern seaboard of the United States, across the Caribbean Sea, and in the Gulf of Mexico. In these regions, lionfish reach larger maximum sizes and higher abundances than they do in their native Pacific, suggesting that they have undergone ecological release. Invaded marine communities have thus far provided little if any biotic resistance. Lionfish are generalist predators with high consumption rates, inhabit a broad range of habitats, are defended from predation by venomous spines, and are capable of long-range larval dispersal. It is possible that lionfish have direct effects on native communities, through consumption of native fishes and competition with native predators, as well as indirect effects, such as overconsumption of herbivorous fishes that prevent seaweeds from outcompeting reef-building corals. There is also serious concern that invasive lionfish could act additively, or even synergistically, with existing stressors of coral-reef systems, such as overfishing and ocean warming, resulting in substantial negative consequences for native ecosystems and economically valuable fisheries. The primary goal of this dissertation was to conduct a set of controlled, replicated field experiments to rigorously examine and measure the effects of lionfish on native reef-fish communities across a range of spatial and temporal scales. In the first experiment (Chapter 2), the net recruitment of native fishes to twenty small patch reefs was compared in the presence (n = 10) and absence (n = 10) of lionfish. This study demonstrated that lionfish reduced net recruitment, or change in abundance of small native fishes, by an average (± SEM) of 78.9 ± 32.2 % over 5 weeks, affecting 23 of 38 species recruiting to reefs in both treatments. In a second experiment (Chapter 4), I examined the effects of lionfish on patch-reef communities of small native fishes relative to, and in combination with, those of a similarly sized native predator, the coney grouper (Cephalopholis fulva). Four different predator treatments were established by transplanting predators (n = 5 reefs each). Treatments included a single small invasive lionfish, a single small native grouper, a grouper and a lionfish together, and predator-free controls. Compared to controls, invasive lionfish caused reductions (mean ± SEM) in abundance (93.7 ± 17.8 %) and species richness (4.6 ± 1.6 species) of small native fishes. The negative effect of lionfish on abundance was 2.6 ± 0.5 times stronger than that of the native grouper. The greatest negative effects on abundance, species richness, evenness, and diversity of native fishes occurred when both lionfish and native grouper were present. Additionally, lionfish grew more than six times faster in both length and mass than did native grouper. A third experiment (Chapter 6) assessed the effects of lionfish on native reef-fish communities at spatial and temporal scales directly relevant to management and conservation efforts. Subsequent to baseline surveys, high- and low-density lionfish treatments were established on 10 large (1400 to 4000 m²) isolated coral reefs. After initiation of treatments, quarterly surveys of the native reef-fish communities were conducted for approximately 14 months. Lionfish caused significant reductions (mean ± SEM) in density (up to 3.22 ± 0.95 fish m⁻²), biomass (3.26 ± 1.10 g m⁻²), and species richness (4.92 ± 2.09 species) of small (<10 cm TL) native fishes. However, these negative effects on prey-sized fishes had not yet translated into declines in larger size classes during the first 14 months of this experiment. In addition to field experiments, this dissertation describes field and aquarium observations of a previously undocumented piscivorous behavior by invasive lionfish - blowing jets of water at prey fish - which may confer a high degree of predation efficiency, thus contributing to the dramatic success of the invasion (Chapter 5). Also provided is a review of the current state of knowledge about the lionfish invasion, with speculation on the long-term effects of the invasion on coral-reef communities, and a brief discussion of potential mitigation measures (Chapter 3). In sum, this research demonstrated that invasive lionfish have substantial negative effects on native communities of coral-reef fishes. In all cases, numerical reductions in small (prey-sized) native fishes caused by lionfish were substantial. Additionally, lionfish caused considerable reductions in native reef-fish species richness (via predation on rare species). These findings indicate that the lionfish invasion may have long-term, broad-scale impacts on the structure and function of coral-reef communities as a whole, potentially reducing the resilience of these systems to a myriad of existing stressors as well as their capacity to provide valuable ecosystem goods and services to humans. Close

• 16. [Article] Adapting to Climate Change on Western Public Lands: Addressing the Ecological Effects of Domestic, Wild, and Feral Ungulates

  NEWS COVERAGE: A news release based on this journal publication, which is written for a lay audience and has been approved by an author of the study, is available online: http://bit.ly/XFBYe2

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Adapting to Climate Change on Western Public Lands: Addressing the Ecological Effects of Domestic, Wild, and Feral Ungulates Author: DellaSala, Dominick A., Donahue, Deborah L., Rhodes, Jonathan J., O'Brien, Mary H., Beschta, Robert L., Fleischner, Thomas L., Karr, James R., Deacon-Williams, Cindy NEWS COVERAGE: A news release based on this journal publication, which is written for a lay audience and has been approved by an author of the study, is available online: http://bit.ly/XFBYe2 Title: Adapting to Climate Change on Western Public Lands: Addressing the Ecological Effects of Domestic, Wild, and Feral Ungulates Author: DellaSala, Dominick A., Donahue, Deborah L., Rhodes, Jonathan J., O'Brien, Mary H., Beschta, Robert L., Fleischner, Thomas L., Karr, James R., Deacon-Williams, Cindy NEWS COVERAGE: A news release based on this journal publication, which is written for a lay audience and has been approved by an author of the study, is available online: http://bit.ly/XFBYe2 Close

• 17. [Article] Oregon Natural Areas Plan

  The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon Natural Areas Plan Author: Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council Year: 2010 The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, deserts, marshes, estuaries, dunes, rocky headlands, lakes and streams. There are a number of reasons it is so diverse. First are the extremes of climate, with rainfall ranging from over 200 inches a year along Oregon’s north coast, to less than 7 inches a year in the Alvord Desert, and temperatures from the very mild banana belt along the coast near the California border to the extremes of the high alpine areas of the Wallowa Mountains. Secondly, Oregon is diverse geographically and geologically, having ancient serpentine landscapes in the Siskiyou Mountains and recent volcanics in the Cascades and the deepest gorge in North America at Hells Canyon. Lastly, Oregon is a floristic crossroads, with arctic boreal species finding their southern limit, Rocky Mountain species common in northeastern Oregon, Great Basin species in southeastern Oregon, and California coastal and Sierra species in the southwest, all mixing with native northwestern taxa to create a wide array of habitats. Title: Oregon Natural Areas Plan Author: Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council Year: 2010 The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, deserts, marshes, estuaries, dunes, rocky headlands, lakes and streams. There are a number of reasons it is so diverse. First are the extremes of climate, with rainfall ranging from over 200 inches a year along Oregon’s north coast, to less than 7 inches a year in the Alvord Desert, and temperatures from the very mild banana belt along the coast near the California border to the extremes of the high alpine areas of the Wallowa Mountains. Secondly, Oregon is diverse geographically and geologically, having ancient serpentine landscapes in the Siskiyou Mountains and recent volcanics in the Cascades and the deepest gorge in North America at Hells Canyon. Lastly, Oregon is a floristic crossroads, with arctic boreal species finding their southern limit, Rocky Mountain species common in northeastern Oregon, Great Basin species in southeastern Oregon, and California coastal and Sierra species in the southwest, all mixing with native northwestern taxa to create a wide array of habitats. Close

• 18. [Article] Key areas for conserving United States’ biodiversity likely threatened by future land use change

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Ecological Society of America. The published article can be found at: http://www.esajournal...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Key areas for conserving United States’ biodiversity likely threatened by future land use change Author: Martinuzzi, S., Helmers, D. P., Higgins, J. V., Radeloff, V. C., Plantinga, A. J., Lewis, D. J. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Ecological Society of America. The published article can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecsp. Title: Key areas for conserving United States’ biodiversity likely threatened by future land use change Author: Martinuzzi, S., Helmers, D. P., Higgins, J. V., Radeloff, V. C., Plantinga, A. J., Lewis, D. J. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by the Ecological Society of America. The published article can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecsp. Close

• 19. [Article] The Biogeochemistry of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in native shrub ecosystems in Senegal

  Two native shrub species (Piliostigma reticulatum and Guiera senegalensis) are prominent vegetation components in farmers’ fields in Senegal. However, their role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem function ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Biogeochemistry of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in native shrub ecosystems in Senegal Author: Dossa, Ekw'e Lokossou, 1960- Two native shrub species (Piliostigma reticulatum and Guiera senegalensis) are prominent vegetation components in farmers’ fields in Senegal. However, their role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem function has largely been overlooked. A study including both laboratory and field experiments was conducted to evaluate potential biophysical interactions of the two shrub species with soils and crops in Senegal. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) mineralization potential of soils incubated with residues of the two shrubs species was studied in laboratory conditions. Additionally, the effect of shrub-residue amendment on P sorption by soils was examined. Under field conditions, the effect of presence or absence of shrubs on crop productivity and nutrient recycling in soil was investigated. Another study examined shrub species effect on spatial distribution of nutrients and P fractions. Results showed shrub residues used as amendments immobilized N and P, which suggested these residues have limited value as immediate nutrient sources for crops. However, soils amended with shrub residues sorbed less P than unamended soils, indicating that when added to P-fixing soils, shrub residues could improve P availability to crops. In the absence of fertilization or when water was limiting, shrubs increased crop yield, likely through a combination of improved soil quality and water conditions associated with the shrub canopy and rhizosphere. The presence of shrubs increased nutrient-use efficiency over sole crop systems. Shrubs were shown to create “islands of fertility” that had greater C, N and P concentrations under their canopies than in open areas. Shrubs differed in their ability to modify soil properties. G. senegalensis had higher soil C and N under its canopy and lower pH than P. reticulatum. Sequential extraction of P fractions showed that NaOH-P, most of which is organic P, was the dominant P fraction in the soils. These results showed that, in the Sahel, shrubs are important components of cropping systems that should be conserved and actively managed. Title: The Biogeochemistry of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in native shrub ecosystems in Senegal Author: Dossa, Ekw'e Lokossou, 1960- Two native shrub species (Piliostigma reticulatum and Guiera senegalensis) are prominent vegetation components in farmers’ fields in Senegal. However, their role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem function has largely been overlooked. A study including both laboratory and field experiments was conducted to evaluate potential biophysical interactions of the two shrub species with soils and crops in Senegal. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) mineralization potential of soils incubated with residues of the two shrubs species was studied in laboratory conditions. Additionally, the effect of shrub-residue amendment on P sorption by soils was examined. Under field conditions, the effect of presence or absence of shrubs on crop productivity and nutrient recycling in soil was investigated. Another study examined shrub species effect on spatial distribution of nutrients and P fractions. Results showed shrub residues used as amendments immobilized N and P, which suggested these residues have limited value as immediate nutrient sources for crops. However, soils amended with shrub residues sorbed less P than unamended soils, indicating that when added to P-fixing soils, shrub residues could improve P availability to crops. In the absence of fertilization or when water was limiting, shrubs increased crop yield, likely through a combination of improved soil quality and water conditions associated with the shrub canopy and rhizosphere. The presence of shrubs increased nutrient-use efficiency over sole crop systems. Shrubs were shown to create “islands of fertility” that had greater C, N and P concentrations under their canopies than in open areas. Shrubs differed in their ability to modify soil properties. G. senegalensis had higher soil C and N under its canopy and lower pH than P. reticulatum. Sequential extraction of P fractions showed that NaOH-P, most of which is organic P, was the dominant P fraction in the soils. These results showed that, in the Sahel, shrubs are important components of cropping systems that should be conserved and actively managed. Close

• 20. [Article] Short-term responses of native bees to livestock and implications for managing ecosystem services in grasslands

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecsp.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Short-term responses of native bees to livestock and implications for managing ecosystem services in grasslands Author: Schmalz, Heidi, Rao, Sujaya, Kennedy, Patricia L., Kimoto, Chiho, Thorp, Robbin W., DeBano, Sandra J., Johnson, Tracey, DelCurto, Timothy, Taylor, Robert V. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecsp. Title: Short-term responses of native bees to livestock and implications for managing ecosystem services in grasslands Author: Schmalz, Heidi, Rao, Sujaya, Kennedy, Patricia L., Kimoto, Chiho, Thorp, Robbin W., DeBano, Sandra J., Johnson, Tracey, DelCurto, Timothy, Taylor, Robert V. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecsp. Close

• 21. [Article] The predation of mudflat burrowing shrimp by native Oregon crabs Red rock crab (Cancer productus) and Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) versus an invasive crab European green crab (Carcius maenas)

  Yaquina Bay, Oregon, has been introduced to a few The invasive species in Yaquina Bay, Oregon can have a huge effect on the native species and local ecosystem. European green crab (Carcius maenas) is an ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The predation of mudflat burrowing shrimp by native Oregon crabs Red rock crab (Cancer productus) and Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) versus an invasive crab European green crab (Carcius maenas) Author: Trobaugh, Sean A Yaquina Bay, Oregon, has been introduced to a few The invasive species in Yaquina Bay, Oregon can have a huge effect on the native species and local ecosystem. European green crab (Carcius maenas) is an invasive species. The European green crab can be found on the mudflats competing with the native crabs, including Red rock crab (Cancer productus) and Dungeness crab (Cancer magister), for food. Possible prey includes mudflat burrowing shrimp, the Ghost shrimp, (Neotrypaea californiensis) and the Mud shrimp, (Upogebia pugettensis). Thus study examines native crab (primarily Red rock) and European green crab predation on mudflat burrowing shrimp with controlled laboratory predation experiments: putting shrimp in sediment, then adding crab after an allotted burrowing time. My hypothesis is that Red rock is able to eat more shrimp than the European green crab because of the mobility of the Red rock claws. Both invasive and native crabs preyed upon the shrimp, however, the native crabs are doing statically significant greater (p-value =.001) at getting this food source then the invasive crab. The European green crab is not out competing the Red rock and Dungeness. Title: The predation of mudflat burrowing shrimp by native Oregon crabs Red rock crab (Cancer productus) and Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) versus an invasive crab European green crab (Carcius maenas) Author: Trobaugh, Sean A Yaquina Bay, Oregon, has been introduced to a few The invasive species in Yaquina Bay, Oregon can have a huge effect on the native species and local ecosystem. European green crab (Carcius maenas) is an invasive species. The European green crab can be found on the mudflats competing with the native crabs, including Red rock crab (Cancer productus) and Dungeness crab (Cancer magister), for food. Possible prey includes mudflat burrowing shrimp, the Ghost shrimp, (Neotrypaea californiensis) and the Mud shrimp, (Upogebia pugettensis). Thus study examines native crab (primarily Red rock) and European green crab predation on mudflat burrowing shrimp with controlled laboratory predation experiments: putting shrimp in sediment, then adding crab after an allotted burrowing time. My hypothesis is that Red rock is able to eat more shrimp than the European green crab because of the mobility of the Red rock claws. Both invasive and native crabs preyed upon the shrimp, however, the native crabs are doing statically significant greater (p-value =.001) at getting this food source then the invasive crab. The European green crab is not out competing the Red rock and Dungeness. Close

• 22. [Article] Comparing Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) management techniques in upland prairie communities of the W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge

  Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of many of the nation’s most threatened and endangered species, the W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is highly invested in the management of some of the ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Comparing Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) management techniques in upland prairie communities of the W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge Author: Ensley, Jona L. Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of many of the nation’s most threatened and endangered species, the W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is highly invested in the management of some of the last remaining upland prairies once prevalent throughout Oregon's Willamette Valley. More than a century of land fragmentation, fire suppression, and cultivation has shifted species composition and physical structure of the native prairies toward woodland ecosystems, reducing habitat quality and quantity. This transition is greatly driven by the encroachment and introduction of the non-native, woody invader Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). This study focused on the three most common Himalayan blackberry management techniques used within the refuge's upland prairies: late summer mowing, late summer burning, and a combination of both. The goal was to analyze the efficacy of each technique in meeting the refuge objectives of controlling Himalayan blackberry populations and promoting native prairie physiognomy after one application using a complete random block design. Findings were presented to refuge managers to facilitate improved management of these fragile communities. Mowing was found to have the greatest reduction in blackberry stem and plant density and resulted in the lowest resprout density post-treatment. This treatment also met the refuge objectives of reducing woody cover and increasing graminoid cover, but did little to increase herbaceous cover when compared to the control group. Burning produced no significant increase in herbaceous cover or reduction in woody cover and provided favorable conditions for Himalayan blackberry seedling germination, contributing to a larger blackberry problem in years to come. In promoting herbaceous habitat for upland-dependent species, mowing with subsequent burning was the most successful technique. Though not as effective in reducing blackberry vigor as mowing alone, this treatment showed the most potential of the three in managing for all objectives. Title: Comparing Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) management techniques in upland prairie communities of the W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge Author: Ensley, Jona L. Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of many of the nation’s most threatened and endangered species, the W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is highly invested in the management of some of the last remaining upland prairies once prevalent throughout Oregon's Willamette Valley. More than a century of land fragmentation, fire suppression, and cultivation has shifted species composition and physical structure of the native prairies toward woodland ecosystems, reducing habitat quality and quantity. This transition is greatly driven by the encroachment and introduction of the non-native, woody invader Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). This study focused on the three most common Himalayan blackberry management techniques used within the refuge's upland prairies: late summer mowing, late summer burning, and a combination of both. The goal was to analyze the efficacy of each technique in meeting the refuge objectives of controlling Himalayan blackberry populations and promoting native prairie physiognomy after one application using a complete random block design. Findings were presented to refuge managers to facilitate improved management of these fragile communities. Mowing was found to have the greatest reduction in blackberry stem and plant density and resulted in the lowest resprout density post-treatment. This treatment also met the refuge objectives of reducing woody cover and increasing graminoid cover, but did little to increase herbaceous cover when compared to the control group. Burning produced no significant increase in herbaceous cover or reduction in woody cover and provided favorable conditions for Himalayan blackberry seedling germination, contributing to a larger blackberry problem in years to come. In promoting herbaceous habitat for upland-dependent species, mowing with subsequent burning was the most successful technique. Though not as effective in reducing blackberry vigor as mowing alone, this treatment showed the most potential of the three in managing for all objectives. Close

• 23. [Article] Economic and social impacts of restoration : a case study of the Great Basin Region

  The last five decades of research in arid land ecology cites Invasive species as a source of imbalances in biodiversity through habitat destruction and reductions of native species through ecosystem alterations ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Economic and social impacts of restoration : a case study of the Great Basin Region Author: Satyal, Vijayanand H. The last five decades of research in arid land ecology cites Invasive species as a source of imbalances in biodiversity through habitat destruction and reductions of native species through ecosystem alterations in favor of non-native species. Invasive species are known to damage not only the surrounding ecosystem but also cause economic and non-economic losses to society. This study focuses on economic and social impacts of controlling cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) on the public rangelands of the Great Basin region. This research seeks to examine the economic and social impacts of adopting different restoration strategies (herbicide use, fire, grazing and re-seeding of native grasses). The economic study seeks to assess the cost-effectiveness of adopting any versus none of the restoration strategies using a linear programming multi-period optimization framework. In order to understand if restoration of cheatgrass is socially acceptable and whether the spatial context influences economic decisions, a parallel social attitudinal study examines the perceptions held by ranchers, interest groups, agency personnel and informed public with regard to restoration, the ongoing collaborative project and expected costs of undertaking restoration. The bio-economic study incorporates ranch production and ecological site specific data into representative optimization models and solves to maximize net ranch income subject to market and resource constraints. The economic study found restoration to impact the ranches financially as the degree of restoration increased. Costs of restoration were lowest under baseline conditions and increased in magnitude with use of grazing, fire, herbicide and the integrated strategy respectively. Attitudinal data indicated that the meaning of restoration and social acceptability towards restoration strategies differed within and across stakeholder groups in the Great Basin states of Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Title: Economic and social impacts of restoration : a case study of the Great Basin Region Author: Satyal, Vijayanand H. The last five decades of research in arid land ecology cites Invasive species as a source of imbalances in biodiversity through habitat destruction and reductions of native species through ecosystem alterations in favor of non-native species. Invasive species are known to damage not only the surrounding ecosystem but also cause economic and non-economic losses to society. This study focuses on economic and social impacts of controlling cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) on the public rangelands of the Great Basin region. This research seeks to examine the economic and social impacts of adopting different restoration strategies (herbicide use, fire, grazing and re-seeding of native grasses). The economic study seeks to assess the cost-effectiveness of adopting any versus none of the restoration strategies using a linear programming multi-period optimization framework. In order to understand if restoration of cheatgrass is socially acceptable and whether the spatial context influences economic decisions, a parallel social attitudinal study examines the perceptions held by ranchers, interest groups, agency personnel and informed public with regard to restoration, the ongoing collaborative project and expected costs of undertaking restoration. The bio-economic study incorporates ranch production and ecological site specific data into representative optimization models and solves to maximize net ranch income subject to market and resource constraints. The economic study found restoration to impact the ranches financially as the degree of restoration increased. Costs of restoration were lowest under baseline conditions and increased in magnitude with use of grazing, fire, herbicide and the integrated strategy respectively. Attitudinal data indicated that the meaning of restoration and social acceptability towards restoration strategies differed within and across stakeholder groups in the Great Basin states of Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Close

• 24. [Article] Temporal Genetic Variance and Propagule-Driven Genetic Structure Characterize Naturalized Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from a Patagonian Lake Impacted by Trout Farming

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Public Library of Science. The published article can be found at: http://www.plosone.org/

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Temporal Genetic Variance and Propagule-Driven Genetic Structure Characterize Naturalized Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from a Patagonian Lake Impacted by Trout Farming Author: Arismendi, Ivan, Seeb, Lisa W., Seeb, James E., et al., Benavente, Javiera N. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Public Library of Science. The published article can be found at: http://www.plosone.org/ Title: Temporal Genetic Variance and Propagule-Driven Genetic Structure Characterize Naturalized Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from a Patagonian Lake Impacted by Trout Farming Author: Arismendi, Ivan, Seeb, Lisa W., Seeb, James E., et al., Benavente, Javiera N. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Public Library of Science. The published article can be found at: http://www.plosone.org/ Close

• 25. [Article] A sustainable resource development plan framework for the Neskonlith Indian Band, British Columbia

  A sustainable resource development plan framework was prepared for the Neskonlith Indian Band, who are located in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The framework intends to address issues involving; ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A sustainable resource development plan framework for the Neskonlith Indian Band, British Columbia Author: Mackasey, J. Patrick A sustainable resource development plan framework was prepared for the Neskonlith Indian Band, who are located in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The framework intends to address issues involving; integrated resource management, traditional native land management, ecosystem management, and community-based resource management. A soft systems (Wilson & Morren, 1990) methodology was used to work with the community and help assess the current management state and to begin the process of determining the desired future condition of their land base and how this can help build the community. However, the band was prepared only to work through the first two (out of seven) stages of the methodology. The study area used was 4259 ha in size, of which 1316 ha was reserve land. A good portion of this area is forested (52.4%), primarily with interior Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var, glauca). The study area is also represented by 13.9% open range, 8,2% cultivated land and a large lake (11 %) . Current and past resource management activities on this area include; forestry, mining, agriculture, range, recreation, and parks. The band is interested in how the land base can be managed from an integrated resource management perspective and in learning how non-consumptive uses of the forest can be further explored. This framework attempts to answer the questions and provide the band with a working Geographic Information System database and some management alternatives to examine. A Terrasoft GIS was used, which allowed for both vector and raster processing. Data layers were compiled and assembled for a variety of resource values. These data layers were analyzed using models which produced three management alternatives. These alternatives included the following emphases: economic; ecological; and balanced. The economic alternative focused solely on resource extraction. The ecological alternative focuses on protection of the environment as the main emphasis, and large parcels of land are excluded from any resource development activities. The balanced alternative offered a balance between the first two alternatives, allowing for a reasonable level of resource management activities, while protecting important ecological components across the landscape. The trade-offs expected to be encountered with each management scenario were discussed with the community and the balanced alternative was resolved as the preferred choice. This framework is expected to be used by the band to help construct a comprehensive integrated resource management plan. Recommendations are provided with the third management alternative to assist the band with integrated resource management planning. It was concluded that although the band has much information available on resource management, they still have a great deal of work left ahead of them to become fully involved in a functional, integrated resource management program. Title: A sustainable resource development plan framework for the Neskonlith Indian Band, British Columbia Author: Mackasey, J. Patrick A sustainable resource development plan framework was prepared for the Neskonlith Indian Band, who are located in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. The framework intends to address issues involving; integrated resource management, traditional native land management, ecosystem management, and community-based resource management. A soft systems (Wilson & Morren, 1990) methodology was used to work with the community and help assess the current management state and to begin the process of determining the desired future condition of their land base and how this can help build the community. However, the band was prepared only to work through the first two (out of seven) stages of the methodology. The study area used was 4259 ha in size, of which 1316 ha was reserve land. A good portion of this area is forested (52.4%), primarily with interior Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var, glauca). The study area is also represented by 13.9% open range, 8,2% cultivated land and a large lake (11 %) . Current and past resource management activities on this area include; forestry, mining, agriculture, range, recreation, and parks. The band is interested in how the land base can be managed from an integrated resource management perspective and in learning how non-consumptive uses of the forest can be further explored. This framework attempts to answer the questions and provide the band with a working Geographic Information System database and some management alternatives to examine. A Terrasoft GIS was used, which allowed for both vector and raster processing. Data layers were compiled and assembled for a variety of resource values. These data layers were analyzed using models which produced three management alternatives. These alternatives included the following emphases: economic; ecological; and balanced. The economic alternative focused solely on resource extraction. The ecological alternative focuses on protection of the environment as the main emphasis, and large parcels of land are excluded from any resource development activities. The balanced alternative offered a balance between the first two alternatives, allowing for a reasonable level of resource management activities, while protecting important ecological components across the landscape. The trade-offs expected to be encountered with each management scenario were discussed with the community and the balanced alternative was resolved as the preferred choice. This framework is expected to be used by the band to help construct a comprehensive integrated resource management plan. Recommendations are provided with the third management alternative to assist the band with integrated resource management planning. It was concluded that although the band has much information available on resource management, they still have a great deal of work left ahead of them to become fully involved in a functional, integrated resource management program. Close

• 26. [Article] Seed and establishment limitation contribute to long-term native forb declines in California grasslands

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esa.org/.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Seed and establishment limitation contribute to long-term native forb declines in California grasslands Author: Brandt, Angela J., Seabloom, Eric W. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esa.org/. Title: Seed and establishment limitation contribute to long-term native forb declines in California grasslands Author: Brandt, Angela J., Seabloom, Eric W. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Ecological Society of America and can be found at: http://www.esa.org/. Close

• 27. [Article] Germination and establishment in Willamette Valley native prairie plants

  Native plants provide many ecosystem services while also having great beauty and are a valuable component of the landscape. As use of these plants in habitat restoration, agricultural insectary plantings, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Germination and establishment in Willamette Valley native prairie plants Author: Russell, Michael C. Native plants provide many ecosystem services while also having great beauty and are a valuable component of the landscape. As use of these plants in habitat restoration, agricultural insectary plantings, and home landscapes increases so does demand for information on the basic biology of a group of species that have only been sparingly studied. Germination is one of the first major events in a plant’s life cycle and can be affected by both the physiological state of the seed and the environment the seed is in. Seeds can become dormant and may require some environmental signal for germination. I conducted a series of germination trials on a set of Willamette Valley native prairie plants to test whether cold stratification or various scarification treatments can be used to break seed dormancy. I used each species’ responses to classify the dormancy type of each species. The environmental conditions that the seed experiences also affect germination. The effect of temperature on germination was studied using a temperature gradient table. Seeds were tested to characterize species based on the temperature range at which its seeds can germinate. Germination in some species was bounded within clearly defined temperature limits, while germination in others occurred over the full range of studied temperatures. The germination data were modeled with linear regression to create standard estimates for the physiological limits of each species to allow for comparisons between the species. After seeds germinate the initial stages of establishment can have great implications on the survival of the plant. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the competitive interactions of six of the species. Plants were grown together in pots for 90 days and biomass collected. The mean competitive effect and competitive response of each species was calculated and the results were regressed against each species' values for several physiological traits that were available from the literature. The experiment found that species with higher relative growth rates had greater competitive effects on other species. The first two experiments measured physiological traits of several Oregon native species. The third demonstrated the utility of standardized traits in predicting ecological behavior. This trait based approach has great potential as a tool for comparing ecological similarities and differences across different ecosystems and different species pools. Title: Germination and establishment in Willamette Valley native prairie plants Author: Russell, Michael C. Native plants provide many ecosystem services while also having great beauty and are a valuable component of the landscape. As use of these plants in habitat restoration, agricultural insectary plantings, and home landscapes increases so does demand for information on the basic biology of a group of species that have only been sparingly studied. Germination is one of the first major events in a plant’s life cycle and can be affected by both the physiological state of the seed and the environment the seed is in. Seeds can become dormant and may require some environmental signal for germination. I conducted a series of germination trials on a set of Willamette Valley native prairie plants to test whether cold stratification or various scarification treatments can be used to break seed dormancy. I used each species’ responses to classify the dormancy type of each species. The environmental conditions that the seed experiences also affect germination. The effect of temperature on germination was studied using a temperature gradient table. Seeds were tested to characterize species based on the temperature range at which its seeds can germinate. Germination in some species was bounded within clearly defined temperature limits, while germination in others occurred over the full range of studied temperatures. The germination data were modeled with linear regression to create standard estimates for the physiological limits of each species to allow for comparisons between the species. After seeds germinate the initial stages of establishment can have great implications on the survival of the plant. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the competitive interactions of six of the species. Plants were grown together in pots for 90 days and biomass collected. The mean competitive effect and competitive response of each species was calculated and the results were regressed against each species' values for several physiological traits that were available from the literature. The experiment found that species with higher relative growth rates had greater competitive effects on other species. The first two experiments measured physiological traits of several Oregon native species. The third demonstrated the utility of standardized traits in predicting ecological behavior. This trait based approach has great potential as a tool for comparing ecological similarities and differences across different ecosystems and different species pools. Close

• 28. [Article] Biological Erosion of Marine Habitats and Structures by Burrowing Crustaceans

  Marine bioeroders, borers, and burrowers can have drastic effects to marine habitats and facilities. By physically altering the structure of marine habitats, these organisms may elicit ecosystem-level ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Biological Erosion of Marine Habitats and Structures by Burrowing Crustaceans Author: Davidson, Timothy Mathias Year: 2011 Marine bioeroders, borers, and burrowers can have drastic effects to marine habitats and facilities. By physically altering the structure of marine habitats, these organisms may elicit ecosystem-level effects that cascade through the community. While borer damage is typically restricted to a few substratum types, burrowing isopods in the genus Sphaeroma attack a diversity of substrata in tropical and temperate systems. My dissertation examined how boring sphaeromatid isopods affect coastal habitats (saltmarshes, mangroves) and other estuarine substrata as well as marine structures. I used a combination of lab and mensurative field experiments to quantify the effects of boring by isopods and examine how select factors affect the colonization, hence burrowing damage by isopods. I explored these questions primarily using the temperate boring sphaeromatid, Sphaeroma quoianum, as a model organism. My initial lab experiments quantified the per capita erosion rates of S. quoianum in four commonly attacked estuarine substrata. I found marsh banks and Styrofoam substrata were the most affected per capita. I supplemented this lab experiment with a year-long mensurative field experiment examining how erosion rates differ between marshes infested and uninfested by boring isopods. Marshes infested with isopods eroded 300% faster than uninfested marshes. I further examined the boring effects on Styrofoam floats. I compiled surveys and observations and conducted a short experiment to describe how isopods affect Styrofoam floats used in floating docks. I observed dense colonies of isopods attacking floats and expelling millions of plastic particles in the ocean. The boring effects to simulated Styrofoam floats were also affected by seawater temperature. Burrowing effects in Styrofoam floats exhibited a curvilinear relationship with temperature and peaked around 18°C. These results suggest a 1-2°C increase in water temperature could increase boring effects 5-17% of populations of isopods in Oregon and California bays. To examine the small-scale factors that mediate colonization and boring, I conducted a series of binary choice experiments. I found the presence of conspecifics, biofilm, and shade were important factors influencing colonization. These small scale factors likely explain why isopod attack is focused in some substrata. Finally, to examine the boring effects of tropical isopods in mangroves, I examined the associations between burrowing by S. terebrans and mangrove performance and fecundity. I found negative relationships between boring effects and performance and fecundity in two mangrove species in a restored mangrove stand in Taiwan. Together, these studies elucidate the effects of bioerosive isopods on saltmarshes, mangroves, and marine structures. However, the similar mechanisms involved in bioerosion in other boring species suggest that these results can be used to infer similar effects of other borers. In addition, since many species of sphaeromatid isopods have been introduced, this research shows how the effects of a non-native bioeroder can damage marine facilities and degrade and alter marine habitats. Through biological erosion and thus changing the physical structure of a marine habitat these non-native species can have ecosystem-level effects that cascade throughout the local community. Title: Biological Erosion of Marine Habitats and Structures by Burrowing Crustaceans Author: Davidson, Timothy Mathias Year: 2011 Marine bioeroders, borers, and burrowers can have drastic effects to marine habitats and facilities. By physically altering the structure of marine habitats, these organisms may elicit ecosystem-level effects that cascade through the community. While borer damage is typically restricted to a few substratum types, burrowing isopods in the genus Sphaeroma attack a diversity of substrata in tropical and temperate systems. My dissertation examined how boring sphaeromatid isopods affect coastal habitats (saltmarshes, mangroves) and other estuarine substrata as well as marine structures. I used a combination of lab and mensurative field experiments to quantify the effects of boring by isopods and examine how select factors affect the colonization, hence burrowing damage by isopods. I explored these questions primarily using the temperate boring sphaeromatid, Sphaeroma quoianum, as a model organism. My initial lab experiments quantified the per capita erosion rates of S. quoianum in four commonly attacked estuarine substrata. I found marsh banks and Styrofoam substrata were the most affected per capita. I supplemented this lab experiment with a year-long mensurative field experiment examining how erosion rates differ between marshes infested and uninfested by boring isopods. Marshes infested with isopods eroded 300% faster than uninfested marshes. I further examined the boring effects on Styrofoam floats. I compiled surveys and observations and conducted a short experiment to describe how isopods affect Styrofoam floats used in floating docks. I observed dense colonies of isopods attacking floats and expelling millions of plastic particles in the ocean. The boring effects to simulated Styrofoam floats were also affected by seawater temperature. Burrowing effects in Styrofoam floats exhibited a curvilinear relationship with temperature and peaked around 18°C. These results suggest a 1-2°C increase in water temperature could increase boring effects 5-17% of populations of isopods in Oregon and California bays. To examine the small-scale factors that mediate colonization and boring, I conducted a series of binary choice experiments. I found the presence of conspecifics, biofilm, and shade were important factors influencing colonization. These small scale factors likely explain why isopod attack is focused in some substrata. Finally, to examine the boring effects of tropical isopods in mangroves, I examined the associations between burrowing by S. terebrans and mangrove performance and fecundity. I found negative relationships between boring effects and performance and fecundity in two mangrove species in a restored mangrove stand in Taiwan. Together, these studies elucidate the effects of bioerosive isopods on saltmarshes, mangroves, and marine structures. However, the similar mechanisms involved in bioerosion in other boring species suggest that these results can be used to infer similar effects of other borers. In addition, since many species of sphaeromatid isopods have been introduced, this research shows how the effects of a non-native bioeroder can damage marine facilities and degrade and alter marine habitats. Through biological erosion and thus changing the physical structure of a marine habitat these non-native species can have ecosystem-level effects that cascade throughout the local community. Close

• 29. [Image] Recovery plan for the native fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin : Warner sucker (threatened) Catostomus warnerensis, Hutton tui chub (threatened) Gila bicolor ssp. Foskett speckled dace (threatened) Rhinichthys osculus ssp

  	"April 1998"--P. [4] of cover; Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-66)
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Recovery plan for the native fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin : Warner sucker (threatened) Catostomus warnerensis, Hutton tui chub (threatened) Gila bicolor ssp. Foskett speckled dace (threatened) Rhinichthys osculus ssp Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Oregon State Office Year: 1998, 2004 "April 1998"--P. [4] of cover; Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-66) Title: Recovery plan for the native fishes of the Warner Basin and Alkali Subbasin : Warner sucker (threatened) Catostomus warnerensis, Hutton tui chub (threatened) Gila bicolor ssp. Foskett speckled dace (threatened) Rhinichthys osculus ssp Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Oregon State Office Year: 1998, 2004 "April 1998"--P. [4] of cover; Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-66) Close

• 30. [Image] Integrated scientific assessment for ecosystem management in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins

  	Abstract Quigley, Thomas M.; Haynes, Richard W.; Graham, Russell T., tech. eds. 1996. Integrated scientific assessment for ecosystem management in the interior Columbia basin and portions of the Klamath ...
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Integrated scientific assessment for ecosystem management in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins Year: 1996, 2005, 2000 Abstract Quigley, Thomas M.; Haynes, Richard W.; Graham, Russell T., tech. eds. 1996. Integrated scientific assessment for ecosystem management in the interior Columbia basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-382. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 303 p. (Quigley, Thomas M., tech. ed. The Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project: Scientific Assessment.) The Integrated Scientific Assessment for Ecosystem Management for the Interior Columbia Basin links landscape, aquatic, terrestrial, social, and economic characterizations to describe biophysical and social systems. Integration was achieved through a framework built around six goals for ecosystem management and three different views of the future. These goals are: maintain evolutionary and ecological processes; manage for multiple ecological domains and evolutionary timeframes; maintain viable populations of native and desired non-native species; encourage social and economic resiliency; manage for places with definable values; and, manage to maintain a variety of ecosystem goods, services, and conditions that society wants. Ratings of relative ecological integrity and socioeconomic resiliency were used to make broad statements about ecosystem conditions in the Basin. Currently in the Basin high integrity and resiliency are found on 16 and 20 percent of the area, respectively. Low integrity and resiliency are found on 60 and 68 percent of the area. Different approaches to management can alter the risks to the assets of people living in the Basin and to the ecosystem itself. Continuation of current management leads to increasing risks while management approaches focusing on reserves or restoration result in trends that mostly stabilize or reduce risks. Even where ecological integrity is projected to improve with the application of active management, population increases and the pressures of expanding demands on resources may cause increasing trends in risk. Keywords: Ecosystem assessment, management and goals; ecological integrity; socio-economic resiliency; risk management Title: Integrated scientific assessment for ecosystem management in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins Year: 1996, 2005, 2000 Abstract Quigley, Thomas M.; Haynes, Richard W.; Graham, Russell T., tech. eds. 1996. Integrated scientific assessment for ecosystem management in the interior Columbia basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-382. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 303 p. (Quigley, Thomas M., tech. ed. The Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project: Scientific Assessment.) The Integrated Scientific Assessment for Ecosystem Management for the Interior Columbia Basin links landscape, aquatic, terrestrial, social, and economic characterizations to describe biophysical and social systems. Integration was achieved through a framework built around six goals for ecosystem management and three different views of the future. These goals are: maintain evolutionary and ecological processes; manage for multiple ecological domains and evolutionary timeframes; maintain viable populations of native and desired non-native species; encourage social and economic resiliency; manage for places with definable values; and, manage to maintain a variety of ecosystem goods, services, and conditions that society wants. Ratings of relative ecological integrity and socioeconomic resiliency were used to make broad statements about ecosystem conditions in the Basin. Currently in the Basin high integrity and resiliency are found on 16 and 20 percent of the area, respectively. Low integrity and resiliency are found on 60 and 68 percent of the area. Different approaches to management can alter the risks to the assets of people living in the Basin and to the ecosystem itself. Continuation of current management leads to increasing risks while management approaches focusing on reserves or restoration result in trends that mostly stabilize or reduce risks. Even where ecological integrity is projected to improve with the application of active management, population increases and the pressures of expanding demands on resources may cause increasing trends in risk. Keywords: Ecosystem assessment, management and goals; ecological integrity; socio-economic resiliency; risk management Close

• 31. [Image] A framework for ecosystem management in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins

  	Haynes, Richard W.; Graham, Russell T.; Quigley, Thomas M., tech. eds. 1996. A framework for ecosystem management in the Interior Columbia Basin including portions of the Klamath and Great Basins. Gen. ...
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A framework for ecosystem management in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins Year: 1996, 2005 Haynes, Richard W.; Graham, Russell T.; Quigley, Thomas M., tech. eds. 1996. A framework for ecosystem management in the Interior Columbia Basin including portions of the Klamath and Great Basins. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-374. Portland, OR; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 66 p. A framework for ecosystem management is proposed. This framework assumes the purpose of ecosystem management is to maintain the integrity of ecosystems over time and space. It is based on four ecosystem principles: ecosystems are dynamic, can be viewed as hierarchies with temporal and spatial dimensions, have limits, and are relatively unpredictable. This approach recognizes that people are part of ecosystems and that stewardship must be able to resolve tough challenges including how to meet multiple demands with finite resources. The framework describes a general planning model for ecosystem management that has four iterative steps: monitoring, assessment, decision-making, and implementation. Since ecosystems cross jurisdictional lines, the implementation of the framework depends on partnerships among land managers, the scientific community, and stakeholders. It proposes that decision-making be based on information provided by the best available science and the most appropriate technologies for land management. Keywords: Ecosystem assessment, ecosystem principles, ecosystem management, planning models, management goals, risk analysis. Title: A framework for ecosystem management in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins Year: 1996, 2005 Haynes, Richard W.; Graham, Russell T.; Quigley, Thomas M., tech. eds. 1996. A framework for ecosystem management in the Interior Columbia Basin including portions of the Klamath and Great Basins. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-374. Portland, OR; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 66 p. A framework for ecosystem management is proposed. This framework assumes the purpose of ecosystem management is to maintain the integrity of ecosystems over time and space. It is based on four ecosystem principles: ecosystems are dynamic, can be viewed as hierarchies with temporal and spatial dimensions, have limits, and are relatively unpredictable. This approach recognizes that people are part of ecosystems and that stewardship must be able to resolve tough challenges including how to meet multiple demands with finite resources. The framework describes a general planning model for ecosystem management that has four iterative steps: monitoring, assessment, decision-making, and implementation. Since ecosystems cross jurisdictional lines, the implementation of the framework depends on partnerships among land managers, the scientific community, and stakeholders. It proposes that decision-making be based on information provided by the best available science and the most appropriate technologies for land management. Keywords: Ecosystem assessment, ecosystem principles, ecosystem management, planning models, management goals, risk analysis. Close

• 32. [Image] The Oregon conservation strategy

  	v, 419 p.; col.ill.; col.maps; "February 2006"; Foreword by Marla Rae, Chair, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Oregon conservation strategy Year: 2006 v, 419 p.; col.ill.; col.maps; "February 2006"; Foreword by Marla Rae, Chair, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Title: The Oregon conservation strategy Year: 2006 v, 419 p.; col.ill.; col.maps; "February 2006"; Foreword by Marla Rae, Chair, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Close

• 33. [Image] Klamath Falls Resource Area resource management plan and environmental impact statement : final : Volume 2

  	Proposed resource management plan/final environmental impact statement for the Klamath Falls Resource Area
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Klamath Falls Resource Area resource management plan and environmental impact statement : final : Volume 2 Author: United States. Bureau of Land Management. Klamath Falls Resource Area Office Year: 1994, 2005, 2004 Proposed resource management plan/final environmental impact statement for the Klamath Falls Resource Area Title: Klamath Falls Resource Area resource management plan and environmental impact statement : final : Volume 2 Author: United States. Bureau of Land Management. Klamath Falls Resource Area Office Year: 1994, 2005, 2004 Proposed resource management plan/final environmental impact statement for the Klamath Falls Resource Area Close

• 34. [Article] Habitat relationships of native and non-native fishes of the Willamette River, Oregon

  The Willamette River flows north between the Cascade Mountains and Coast Range of western Oregon within a 29,728-km² basin. The fish community in the geologically young basin consists of 36 native species, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Habitat relationships of native and non-native fishes of the Willamette River, Oregon Author: Williams, Joshua E. (Joshua Everett) The Willamette River flows north between the Cascade Mountains and Coast Range of western Oregon within a 29,728-km² basin. The fish community in the geologically young basin consists of 36 native species, but introductions of non-native fishes have added 33 additional species for a total of 69 fish species. During the summers of 2011-2013, fish distributions were sampled from the confluence of the McKenzie River downstream to the confluence of the Columbia River to assess: (1) fish community composition, (2) differences in community composition between mainstem river and slough habitats, and (3) relationships between native and non-native fish species and physical habitat characteristics. In addition, a 182-ha seasonally inundated floodplain habitat along the middle Willamette River was sampled during winter 2011 through spring 2012 to assess: (1) fish community composition, (2) spawning and rearing, and (3) timing of use and movement by fish species. Throughout the three years of longitudinal sampling, 36,586 fish were collected comprising 41 species, 22 native and 19 non-native. Overall, native fish represented 93% of the total fish sampled. Higher numbers of fish were collected in the upper river, and higher proportions of those fish were native species. Though non-native fish were more common in slough habitats than mainstem sties, the majority of fish collected in both habitat types were native. The strongest environmental predictors of fish community were quantitative measures of longitudinal distance, velocity, depth, percent macrophyte cover and percent embeddedness. Habitat type (slough versus mainstem) was also a significant predictor. Native fish species exhibited greater variability in habitat relationships than non-native fishes, though several native species were strongly associated with specific environmental attributes. Non-native species were more associated with slough habitats and sites with high amount of macrophyte growth and embedded substrates. Overall, 25 species had a high fidelity to mainstem or slough habitats. Equal numbers of native species showed a fidelity to either mainstem or slough sites, but non-native species were significantly related only to slough habitats. In the seasonally inundated floodplain habitat, an estimated 43,000 fish were collected comprising 23 species; 12 native and 11 non-native. Of these 98.1% were native. The most common native species were threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus and peamouth Mylocheilus caurinus while the most common non-native species were bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and western mosquitofish Gambusia affinus. Several species used the inundated floodplain for spawning and rearing, particularly threespine stickleback, peamouth and western mosquitofish. With the exception of young-of-year threespine stickleback, native species were collected mostly in the beginning and middle of the sampling period while non-native species were collected in the latter portion of the sampling. The Willamette River Basin has a long history of environmental modification. Understanding relationships of a broad range of species to their environment and to each other provides a technical foundation for ecosystem based management by state and federal agencies, local municipalities, and private landowners. The need for ecosystem based management is vital for future conservation and recovery of large river floodplain ecosystems. Title: Habitat relationships of native and non-native fishes of the Willamette River, Oregon Author: Williams, Joshua E. (Joshua Everett) The Willamette River flows north between the Cascade Mountains and Coast Range of western Oregon within a 29,728-km² basin. The fish community in the geologically young basin consists of 36 native species, but introductions of non-native fishes have added 33 additional species for a total of 69 fish species. During the summers of 2011-2013, fish distributions were sampled from the confluence of the McKenzie River downstream to the confluence of the Columbia River to assess: (1) fish community composition, (2) differences in community composition between mainstem river and slough habitats, and (3) relationships between native and non-native fish species and physical habitat characteristics. In addition, a 182-ha seasonally inundated floodplain habitat along the middle Willamette River was sampled during winter 2011 through spring 2012 to assess: (1) fish community composition, (2) spawning and rearing, and (3) timing of use and movement by fish species. Throughout the three years of longitudinal sampling, 36,586 fish were collected comprising 41 species, 22 native and 19 non-native. Overall, native fish represented 93% of the total fish sampled. Higher numbers of fish were collected in the upper river, and higher proportions of those fish were native species. Though non-native fish were more common in slough habitats than mainstem sties, the majority of fish collected in both habitat types were native. The strongest environmental predictors of fish community were quantitative measures of longitudinal distance, velocity, depth, percent macrophyte cover and percent embeddedness. Habitat type (slough versus mainstem) was also a significant predictor. Native fish species exhibited greater variability in habitat relationships than non-native fishes, though several native species were strongly associated with specific environmental attributes. Non-native species were more associated with slough habitats and sites with high amount of macrophyte growth and embedded substrates. Overall, 25 species had a high fidelity to mainstem or slough habitats. Equal numbers of native species showed a fidelity to either mainstem or slough sites, but non-native species were significantly related only to slough habitats. In the seasonally inundated floodplain habitat, an estimated 43,000 fish were collected comprising 23 species; 12 native and 11 non-native. Of these 98.1% were native. The most common native species were threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus and peamouth Mylocheilus caurinus while the most common non-native species were bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and western mosquitofish Gambusia affinus. Several species used the inundated floodplain for spawning and rearing, particularly threespine stickleback, peamouth and western mosquitofish. With the exception of young-of-year threespine stickleback, native species were collected mostly in the beginning and middle of the sampling period while non-native species were collected in the latter portion of the sampling. The Willamette River Basin has a long history of environmental modification. Understanding relationships of a broad range of species to their environment and to each other provides a technical foundation for ecosystem based management by state and federal agencies, local municipalities, and private landowners. The need for ecosystem based management is vital for future conservation and recovery of large river floodplain ecosystems. Close

• 35. [Article] Aquatic Ecosystems Symposium

  Abstract -- Sustainability and changing physical landscapes; sustainability of western riparian ecosystems, watersheds: nutrients and productivity, sustaining of western aquatic food webs, western native ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Aquatic Ecosystems Symposium Abstract -- Sustainability and changing physical landscapes; sustainability of western riparian ecosystems, watersheds: nutrients and productivity, sustaining of western aquatic food webs, western native fish resources. Toward a robust water policy for western USA. A synthesis of the science. Title: Aquatic Ecosystems Symposium Abstract -- Sustainability and changing physical landscapes; sustainability of western riparian ecosystems, watersheds: nutrients and productivity, sustaining of western aquatic food webs, western native fish resources. Toward a robust water policy for western USA. A synthesis of the science. Close

• 36. [Article] The effects of native plants on non-native plant abundance in a restoration setting : differences among native species and the predictive ability of species traits

  Reducing the cover of non-native species is one of the challenges of ecosystem restoration. The goal of this study is to identify native species traits that will increase native species cover and reduce ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The effects of native plants on non-native plant abundance in a restoration setting : differences among native species and the predictive ability of species traits Author: Goodridge, Jennifer M. Reducing the cover of non-native species is one of the challenges of ecosystem restoration. The goal of this study is to identify native species traits that will increase native species cover and reduce non-native species cover in the first growing season at upland and wetland prairie restoration sites. Native and non-native prairie species were planted in the fall and harvested the following summer at both an upland and a wetland site. Native species traits, such as plant weight, leaf area, relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio, net assimilation rate, and specific leaf area were measured under laboratory conditions for 7- and 21-day old seedlings. Germination rate (laboratory) and phenology (field) were also measured. At the upland site, species with a large 7-day plant weight and a high germination rate also had high native cover in the field (P<0.00l, R²=0.83). At the wetland site, high 21-day leaf area, low 21-day leaf weight ratio, and high net assimilation rate predicted increased native cover in the field (P<0.00l, R²=0.87). An abundance of natives, as measured by native cover, native biomass, and number of individuals, likely results in fewer resources (light, nutrients, and water) available for the non-native species growth resulting in a reduction in the non-native cover. Intrinsic traits of native species also predicted the field performance of non-native species, although the amount of variation explained was lower than the amount of variation explained in the models that predicted native cover. In the upland site, native species with high leaf weight ratio (21-day) tended to have lower non-native cover in their field plots (P=0.087, R²=0.23). In the wetland site, the native species traits that predict non-native cover were low 21-day leaf area and high 21-day leaf weight ratio (P<0.00l, R²=0.46). These traits were similar to those that predicted native species cover at the wetland site. This study demonstrates the ability of species traits to predict field performance. Predictive models were generated using native species traits to select species for restoration that will increase native cover and decrease non-native cover in the first growing season. Traits can be measured for species not included in this study and the models generated can be used to predict the field performance of species at similar sites. Title: The effects of native plants on non-native plant abundance in a restoration setting : differences among native species and the predictive ability of species traits Author: Goodridge, Jennifer M. Reducing the cover of non-native species is one of the challenges of ecosystem restoration. The goal of this study is to identify native species traits that will increase native species cover and reduce non-native species cover in the first growing season at upland and wetland prairie restoration sites. Native and non-native prairie species were planted in the fall and harvested the following summer at both an upland and a wetland site. Native species traits, such as plant weight, leaf area, relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, leaf weight ratio, net assimilation rate, and specific leaf area were measured under laboratory conditions for 7- and 21-day old seedlings. Germination rate (laboratory) and phenology (field) were also measured. At the upland site, species with a large 7-day plant weight and a high germination rate also had high native cover in the field (P<0.00l, R²=0.83). At the wetland site, high 21-day leaf area, low 21-day leaf weight ratio, and high net assimilation rate predicted increased native cover in the field (P<0.00l, R²=0.87). An abundance of natives, as measured by native cover, native biomass, and number of individuals, likely results in fewer resources (light, nutrients, and water) available for the non-native species growth resulting in a reduction in the non-native cover. Intrinsic traits of native species also predicted the field performance of non-native species, although the amount of variation explained was lower than the amount of variation explained in the models that predicted native cover. In the upland site, native species with high leaf weight ratio (21-day) tended to have lower non-native cover in their field plots (P=0.087, R²=0.23). In the wetland site, the native species traits that predict non-native cover were low 21-day leaf area and high 21-day leaf weight ratio (P<0.00l, R²=0.46). These traits were similar to those that predicted native species cover at the wetland site. This study demonstrates the ability of species traits to predict field performance. Predictive models were generated using native species traits to select species for restoration that will increase native cover and decrease non-native cover in the first growing season. Traits can be measured for species not included in this study and the models generated can be used to predict the field performance of species at similar sites. Close

• 37. [Article] Native bee diversity and floral resource availability in two Willamette Valley Oregon ecosystems

  The importance of pollinators in native and managed landscapes is well known, and recent interest is directed towards investigating the role of native bees as providers of pollination ecosystem services. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Native bee diversity and floral resource availability in two Willamette Valley Oregon ecosystems Author: Bergh, Jennifer E. The importance of pollinators in native and managed landscapes is well known, and recent interest is directed towards investigating the role of native bees as providers of pollination ecosystem services. Uncertainty about bee populations at global and local scales has prompted research and general interest in conservation of bee diversity. To sustain robust populations, bees need nesting habitat and quality forage resources. This thesis describes two studies related to the relationship between bee diversity and landscape floral resource availability in two Willamette Valley ecosystems: wet prairies and blueberry agroecosystems. The wetlands are florally diverse, heterogeneous, and temporally patchy in spring and summer, whereas blueberries are florally abundant during spring crop bloom with potentially fewer floral resources after berry set; the intention of these studies was to determine if the floral resources in each ecosystem were adequate to support robust native bee communities. For each site type, the bee fauna and associated melittophilous floral resources are described and characterized. In the studies, it was determined that bee diversity, and specifically bee abundance, was positively correlated with floral resources. This thesis presents the results of community analyses, floral resources that were identified as important forage sources, and a discussion of the relationship between landscape phenology and bee population dynamics in each ecosystem type. Implications and recommendations for landscape management to conserve and potentially enhance local native bee communities are discussed. Title: Native bee diversity and floral resource availability in two Willamette Valley Oregon ecosystems Author: Bergh, Jennifer E. The importance of pollinators in native and managed landscapes is well known, and recent interest is directed towards investigating the role of native bees as providers of pollination ecosystem services. Uncertainty about bee populations at global and local scales has prompted research and general interest in conservation of bee diversity. To sustain robust populations, bees need nesting habitat and quality forage resources. This thesis describes two studies related to the relationship between bee diversity and landscape floral resource availability in two Willamette Valley ecosystems: wet prairies and blueberry agroecosystems. The wetlands are florally diverse, heterogeneous, and temporally patchy in spring and summer, whereas blueberries are florally abundant during spring crop bloom with potentially fewer floral resources after berry set; the intention of these studies was to determine if the floral resources in each ecosystem were adequate to support robust native bee communities. For each site type, the bee fauna and associated melittophilous floral resources are described and characterized. In the studies, it was determined that bee diversity, and specifically bee abundance, was positively correlated with floral resources. This thesis presents the results of community analyses, floral resources that were identified as important forage sources, and a discussion of the relationship between landscape phenology and bee population dynamics in each ecosystem type. Implications and recommendations for landscape management to conserve and potentially enhance local native bee communities are discussed. Close

• 38. [Article] Vegetation response to prescribed fire in mountain big sagebrush ecosystems at Lava Beds National Monument, California

  Anthropogenic land use alterations such as livestock grazing and fire suppression have greatly altered sagebrush grasslands of the Great Basin, facilitating invasion of exotic annuals, increases in woody ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Vegetation response to prescribed fire in mountain big sagebrush ecosystems at Lava Beds National Monument, California Author: Ellsworth, Lisa M. Anthropogenic land use alterations such as livestock grazing and fire suppression have greatly altered sagebrush grasslands of the Great Basin, facilitating invasion of exotic annuals, increases in woody species, and losses of native species. Much of the current research surrounding wildland and prescribed fire in sagebrush dominated ecosystems has focused on a persistent belief that fire in sagebrush systems results in a loss of native flora and a trend toward dominance by exotic annuals. Fire was historically the dominant disturbance throughout the sagebrush steppe and the plant species that comprised these communities possess a variety of adaptations facilitating survival to the fire regime. In order to restore ecosystems, land managers will need to reintroduce natural ecosystem processes, including natural disturbance processes. To describe the response of these plant communities to fire, I examined the plant community response, seedbank response, and reproductive and density responses of three native bunchgrasses (Pseudoroegneria spicata, Achnatherum therberianum, and Elymus elymoides) as well as one native forb (Calochortus macrocarpus) following spring and fall prescribed fires at Lava Beds National Monument. Fires were applied to three Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana (Mountain Big Sagebrush) plant communities with different land use and fire histories. These communities were different in composition ranging from a dominance of exotic annuals to dominance by native grasses, shrubs, and trees. Little is known about how prescribed fire affects the soil seed bank in sagebrush-dominated ecosystems. To address this, we quantified the emergence of Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) seedlings as well as emergence of seedlings of functional groups (native forbs, bunchgrasses, and shrubs) in a seedbank germination study. At the invasive dominated site (Gillems Camp), we found 91% fewer B. tectorum seedlings germinated in spring burned sites than in controls immediately following spring prescribed burns. However, soils collected one-year following fire had 40% more B. tectorum germinants (8017 germinants/m [superscript 2]) than unburned controls (5132 germinants/m [superscript 2]). Following fall burns at this site there was a similar response, with a 56% immediate reduction in B. tectorum (as compared to unburned control) and a 59% increase in B. tectorum and 58% increase in exotic forb germinants one year following fires. There was an increase in native forb germination following spring burns (94%) and fall burns (45%) at a site dominated by native plants (Fleener Chimneys). Native bunchgrass seed germination declined following spring fire in sites dominated by sagebrush and native understory vegetation (79%), and in sites where Juniperus occidentalis (western juniper) and other woody species dominated (Merrill Caves) (71%). In invasive-dominated sites (Gillems Camp), there was a decrease in B. tectorum cover following both spring (81% decrease) and fall fires (82% decrease), and little native vegetation composition change. Shrub cover, made up predominantly of Chrysothamnus nauseosus, decreased following spring (95% decrease) and fall (93% decrease) fires. At the sagebrush, native understory site (Fleener Chimneys), there was a reduction in native bunchgrass cover (64% decrease), and an increase in native forbs (168% increase) following spring burns, with no changes following fall fires. At the juniper- woody dominated site (Merrill Caves), fire treatments resulted in a decrease in woody plant cover, with no immediate postfire differences seen in the herbaceous plant community. Density of bunchgrass species (Pseudoroegneria spicata, Achnatherum therberianum, Elymus elymoides) did not change following either spring or fall prescribed fire treatments. Fire enhanced flowering was not seen in C. macrocarpus following spring or fall burns at the native or juniper dominated sites. There was increased reproductive effort in native bunchgrass species following fires in all communities studied. Following spring fires at invasive dominated sites, there was a 245% increase in reproductive culms of P. spicata. Following fall fires in native dominated sites, we saw a 974% increase in reproductive culms of P. spicata and a 184% increase in reproductive culms of A. therberianum. Following fall fires at juniper-dominated sites, we saw in an increase in reproductive culms of P. spicata (678% increase), A. thurberianum (356% increase), and Elymus elymoides (209% increase). These results suggest that implementing prescribed fire in order to restore the natural disturbance regime in these fire-adapted ecosystems is beneficial to restoration and preservation of the native biota. Title: Vegetation response to prescribed fire in mountain big sagebrush ecosystems at Lava Beds National Monument, California Author: Ellsworth, Lisa M. Anthropogenic land use alterations such as livestock grazing and fire suppression have greatly altered sagebrush grasslands of the Great Basin, facilitating invasion of exotic annuals, increases in woody species, and losses of native species. Much of the current research surrounding wildland and prescribed fire in sagebrush dominated ecosystems has focused on a persistent belief that fire in sagebrush systems results in a loss of native flora and a trend toward dominance by exotic annuals. Fire was historically the dominant disturbance throughout the sagebrush steppe and the plant species that comprised these communities possess a variety of adaptations facilitating survival to the fire regime. In order to restore ecosystems, land managers will need to reintroduce natural ecosystem processes, including natural disturbance processes. To describe the response of these plant communities to fire, I examined the plant community response, seedbank response, and reproductive and density responses of three native bunchgrasses (Pseudoroegneria spicata, Achnatherum therberianum, and Elymus elymoides) as well as one native forb (Calochortus macrocarpus) following spring and fall prescribed fires at Lava Beds National Monument. Fires were applied to three Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana (Mountain Big Sagebrush) plant communities with different land use and fire histories. These communities were different in composition ranging from a dominance of exotic annuals to dominance by native grasses, shrubs, and trees. Little is known about how prescribed fire affects the soil seed bank in sagebrush-dominated ecosystems. To address this, we quantified the emergence of Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) seedlings as well as emergence of seedlings of functional groups (native forbs, bunchgrasses, and shrubs) in a seedbank germination study. At the invasive dominated site (Gillems Camp), we found 91% fewer B. tectorum seedlings germinated in spring burned sites than in controls immediately following spring prescribed burns. However, soils collected one-year following fire had 40% more B. tectorum germinants (8017 germinants/m [superscript 2]) than unburned controls (5132 germinants/m [superscript 2]). Following fall burns at this site there was a similar response, with a 56% immediate reduction in B. tectorum (as compared to unburned control) and a 59% increase in B. tectorum and 58% increase in exotic forb germinants one year following fires. There was an increase in native forb germination following spring burns (94%) and fall burns (45%) at a site dominated by native plants (Fleener Chimneys). Native bunchgrass seed germination declined following spring fire in sites dominated by sagebrush and native understory vegetation (79%), and in sites where Juniperus occidentalis (western juniper) and other woody species dominated (Merrill Caves) (71%). In invasive-dominated sites (Gillems Camp), there was a decrease in B. tectorum cover following both spring (81% decrease) and fall fires (82% decrease), and little native vegetation composition change. Shrub cover, made up predominantly of Chrysothamnus nauseosus, decreased following spring (95% decrease) and fall (93% decrease) fires. At the sagebrush, native understory site (Fleener Chimneys), there was a reduction in native bunchgrass cover (64% decrease), and an increase in native forbs (168% increase) following spring burns, with no changes following fall fires. At the juniper- woody dominated site (Merrill Caves), fire treatments resulted in a decrease in woody plant cover, with no immediate postfire differences seen in the herbaceous plant community. Density of bunchgrass species (Pseudoroegneria spicata, Achnatherum therberianum, Elymus elymoides) did not change following either spring or fall prescribed fire treatments. Fire enhanced flowering was not seen in C. macrocarpus following spring or fall burns at the native or juniper dominated sites. There was increased reproductive effort in native bunchgrass species following fires in all communities studied. Following spring fires at invasive dominated sites, there was a 245% increase in reproductive culms of P. spicata. Following fall fires in native dominated sites, we saw a 974% increase in reproductive culms of P. spicata and a 184% increase in reproductive culms of A. therberianum. Following fall fires at juniper-dominated sites, we saw in an increase in reproductive culms of P. spicata (678% increase), A. thurberianum (356% increase), and Elymus elymoides (209% increase). These results suggest that implementing prescribed fire in order to restore the natural disturbance regime in these fire-adapted ecosystems is beneficial to restoration and preservation of the native biota. Close

• 39. [Article] Drivers of plant community dynamics in sagebrush steppe ecosystems : cattle grazing, heat and water stress

  Sagebrush steppe ecosystems are one of the most widespread but endangered ecosystems in North America. A diverse array of human-related stressors has gradually compromised these ecosystems' resilience ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Drivers of plant community dynamics in sagebrush steppe ecosystems : cattle grazing, heat and water stress Author: Reisner, Michael D. Sagebrush steppe ecosystems are one of the most widespread but endangered ecosystems in North America. A diverse array of human-related stressors has gradually compromised these ecosystems' resilience to disturbance and invasion by Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass). The role of the foundational shrub Artemisia as a driver of herbaceous community structure and dynamics during this degradation process is poorly understood. Many of the individual factors driving B. tectorum invasions are well documented. However a predictive understanding of the relative importance of complex, interacting factors in the causal network of simultaneously occurring processes determining invasibility has proven elusive. I examined these issues at the landscape level across 75 sites capturing a range of soil and landscape properties and cattle grazing levels similar to those found across the Great Basin. Cumulative cattle herbivory stress levels were a predominant component of both the overlapping heat and water stress gradients driving the structure of Artemisia interactions with herbaceous species. Consistent with the stress gradient hypothesis, Artemisia facilitation of herbaceous species was most frequent and strongest at the highest stress levels, and competition was most frequent and strongest at the lowest stress levels. The two species with the highest competitive response abilities, Elymus elymoides and Poa secunda, showed the strongest facilitation at the upper limits of their stress tolerances. The structure of Artemisia interactions with the invasive B. tectorum was strikingly different than those with native bunchgrasses. Artemisia interactions with native bunchgrasses shifted from competition to facilitation with increasing heat, water, and herbivory stress, but its interactions remained competitive with B. tectorum along the entire stress gradient. Shifts in the structure of interactions between Artemisia and native bunchgrasses were associated with both an increase and decrease in community compositional and functional stability. I report the first evidence of native species facilitation decreasing community invasibility. Artemisia facilitation increased native bunchgrass composition, which reduced the magnitude of B. tectorum invasion in under-shrub compared to interspace communities. This decreased invasibility did not translate into lower invasibility at the community level because of the limited spatial scale over which such facilitation occurs. Artemisia facilitation increased community compositional and functional stability at intermediate stress levels but decreased community stability at high stress levels. Facilitation became a destabilizing force when native bunchgrass species became "obligate" beneficiaries, i.e. strongly dependent on Artemisia facilitation for their continued persistence in the community. Structural equation modeling assessed the structure of the causal network and relative importance of factors and processes predicted to drive community invasibility. The linchpin of ecosystem invasibility was the size of and connectivity between basal gaps in perennial vegetation, driven by shifts in the structure and spatial aggregation of the native bunchgrass community. Landscape orientation and soil physical properties determined inherent risk to invasion. Resident bunchgrass and biological soil crust communities provided biotic resistance to invasion by reducing the size of and connectivity between basal gaps and thereby limiting available resources and reducing safe sites for B. tectorum establishment. High levels of cattle grazing reduced ecosystem resilience by reducing native bunchgrass and biological soil crust abundance and altering bunchgrass community composition and facilitated B. tectorum invasion. Conserving and restoring resilience and resistance of these imperiled ecosystems will require reducing cumulative stress levels. As global climate change increases heat and water stress, reducing cumulative cattle grazing intensities by altering utilization rates and/or seasons of use may be the only effective means of accomplishing these goals. Title: Drivers of plant community dynamics in sagebrush steppe ecosystems : cattle grazing, heat and water stress Author: Reisner, Michael D. Sagebrush steppe ecosystems are one of the most widespread but endangered ecosystems in North America. A diverse array of human-related stressors has gradually compromised these ecosystems' resilience to disturbance and invasion by Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass). The role of the foundational shrub Artemisia as a driver of herbaceous community structure and dynamics during this degradation process is poorly understood. Many of the individual factors driving B. tectorum invasions are well documented. However a predictive understanding of the relative importance of complex, interacting factors in the causal network of simultaneously occurring processes determining invasibility has proven elusive. I examined these issues at the landscape level across 75 sites capturing a range of soil and landscape properties and cattle grazing levels similar to those found across the Great Basin. Cumulative cattle herbivory stress levels were a predominant component of both the overlapping heat and water stress gradients driving the structure of Artemisia interactions with herbaceous species. Consistent with the stress gradient hypothesis, Artemisia facilitation of herbaceous species was most frequent and strongest at the highest stress levels, and competition was most frequent and strongest at the lowest stress levels. The two species with the highest competitive response abilities, Elymus elymoides and Poa secunda, showed the strongest facilitation at the upper limits of their stress tolerances. The structure of Artemisia interactions with the invasive B. tectorum was strikingly different than those with native bunchgrasses. Artemisia interactions with native bunchgrasses shifted from competition to facilitation with increasing heat, water, and herbivory stress, but its interactions remained competitive with B. tectorum along the entire stress gradient. Shifts in the structure of interactions between Artemisia and native bunchgrasses were associated with both an increase and decrease in community compositional and functional stability. I report the first evidence of native species facilitation decreasing community invasibility. Artemisia facilitation increased native bunchgrass composition, which reduced the magnitude of B. tectorum invasion in under-shrub compared to interspace communities. This decreased invasibility did not translate into lower invasibility at the community level because of the limited spatial scale over which such facilitation occurs. Artemisia facilitation increased community compositional and functional stability at intermediate stress levels but decreased community stability at high stress levels. Facilitation became a destabilizing force when native bunchgrass species became "obligate" beneficiaries, i.e. strongly dependent on Artemisia facilitation for their continued persistence in the community. Structural equation modeling assessed the structure of the causal network and relative importance of factors and processes predicted to drive community invasibility. The linchpin of ecosystem invasibility was the size of and connectivity between basal gaps in perennial vegetation, driven by shifts in the structure and spatial aggregation of the native bunchgrass community. Landscape orientation and soil physical properties determined inherent risk to invasion. Resident bunchgrass and biological soil crust communities provided biotic resistance to invasion by reducing the size of and connectivity between basal gaps and thereby limiting available resources and reducing safe sites for B. tectorum establishment. High levels of cattle grazing reduced ecosystem resilience by reducing native bunchgrass and biological soil crust abundance and altering bunchgrass community composition and facilitated B. tectorum invasion. Conserving and restoring resilience and resistance of these imperiled ecosystems will require reducing cumulative stress levels. As global climate change increases heat and water stress, reducing cumulative cattle grazing intensities by altering utilization rates and/or seasons of use may be the only effective means of accomplishing these goals. Close

• 40. [Article] Native wildlife species (Pseudacris regilla) utilizing invasive-dominated habitat in a highly disturbed ecosystem

  The Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla) is commonly encountered throughout the Pacific Northwest and can be an indicator for ecosystem health. At each life stage P. regilla utilizes a different habitat ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Native wildlife species (Pseudacris regilla) utilizing invasive-dominated habitat in a highly disturbed ecosystem Author: Epperly, Haley K. The Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla) is commonly encountered throughout the Pacific Northwest and can be an indicator for ecosystem health. At each life stage P. regilla utilizes a different habitat and therefore it is important to understand habitat use at all life stages to properly manage the ecosystem, however, few studies have been conducted on the juvenile form. To determine juvenile P. regilla riparian habitat use, and thus create appropriate habitat management plans, field work must be conducted. Transect surveys were conducted at two highly disturbed ephemeral ponds with a variety of open and dense vegetative riparian habitats in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. P. regilla was found in the highest abundance in habitat shaded by a thin border of Oregon Ash around the pond perimeter, and was composed mainly of Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). This habitat provided a moist region where P. regilla could avoid desiccation and possibly predation. Rubus armeniacus is non-native and often found in highly disturbed ecosystems. Pseudacris regilla’s use of R. armeniacus as habitat suggests that P. regilla is a generalist species capable of utilizing invasive plant species to its advantage. Future research is needed comparing P. regilla habitat use in invasive-dominated verse native-dominated ephemeral ponds. Title: Native wildlife species (Pseudacris regilla) utilizing invasive-dominated habitat in a highly disturbed ecosystem Author: Epperly, Haley K. The Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla) is commonly encountered throughout the Pacific Northwest and can be an indicator for ecosystem health. At each life stage P. regilla utilizes a different habitat and therefore it is important to understand habitat use at all life stages to properly manage the ecosystem, however, few studies have been conducted on the juvenile form. To determine juvenile P. regilla riparian habitat use, and thus create appropriate habitat management plans, field work must be conducted. Transect surveys were conducted at two highly disturbed ephemeral ponds with a variety of open and dense vegetative riparian habitats in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. P. regilla was found in the highest abundance in habitat shaded by a thin border of Oregon Ash around the pond perimeter, and was composed mainly of Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). This habitat provided a moist region where P. regilla could avoid desiccation and possibly predation. Rubus armeniacus is non-native and often found in highly disturbed ecosystems. Pseudacris regilla’s use of R. armeniacus as habitat suggests that P. regilla is a generalist species capable of utilizing invasive plant species to its advantage. Future research is needed comparing P. regilla habitat use in invasive-dominated verse native-dominated ephemeral ponds. Close

• 41. [Article] Non-Native Plant Invasion along Elevation and Canopy Closure Gradients in a Middle Rocky Mountain Ecosystem

  To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article was published by the Public Library ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Non-Native Plant Invasion along Elevation and Canopy Closure Gradients in a Middle Rocky Mountain Ecosystem Author: Parks, Catherine G., DelCurto, Tim, Mata-González, Ricardo, Naylor, Bridgett J., McCune, Bruce, Averett, Joshua P. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article was published by the Public Library of Science and is in the public domain. The published article can be found at: http://www.plosone.org/ Title: Non-Native Plant Invasion along Elevation and Canopy Closure Gradients in a Middle Rocky Mountain Ecosystem Author: Parks, Catherine G., DelCurto, Tim, Mata-González, Ricardo, Naylor, Bridgett J., McCune, Bruce, Averett, Joshua P. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article was published by the Public Library of Science and is in the public domain. The published article can be found at: http://www.plosone.org/ Close

• 42. [Image] An assessment of ecosystem components in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins [volume 2]

  	Abstract Quigley, Thomas M.; Arbelbide, Sylvia J., tech. eds. 1997. An assessment of ecosystem components in the interior Columbia basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins: volume 2. Gen. Tech. ...
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: An assessment of ecosystem components in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins [volume 2] Author: Quigley, Thomas Milton; Arbelbide, S. J. (Sylvia J.) Year: 1997, 2008, 2005 Abstract Quigley, Thomas M.; Arbelbide, Sylvia J., tech. eds. 1997. An assessment of ecosystem components in the interior Columbia basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins: volume 2. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-405. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 4 vol. (Quigley, Thomas M., tech. ed.; The Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project: Scientific Assessment). The Assessment of Ecosystem Components in the Interior Columbia Basin and Portions of the Klamath and Great Basins provides detailed information about current conditions and trends for the biophysical and social systems within the Basin. This information can be used by land managers to develop broad land management goals and priorities and provides the context for decisions specific to smaller geographic areas. The Assessment area covers about 8 percent of the U.S. land area, 24 percent of the Nations National Forest System lands, 10 percent of the Nations BLM-administered lands, and contains about 1.2 percent of the Nations population. This results in a population density that is less than one-sixth of the U.S. average. The area has experienced recent, rapid population growth and generally has a robust, diverse economy. As compared to historic conditions, the terrestrial, aquatic, forest, and rangeland systems have undergone dramatic changes. Forested landscapes are more susceptible to fire, insect, and disease than under historic conditions. Rangelands are highly susceptible to noxious weed invasion. The disturbance regimes that operate on forest and rangeland have changed substantially, with lethal fires dominating many areas where non-lethal fires were the norm historically. Terrestrial habitats that have experienced the greatest decline include the native grassland, native shrubland, and old forest structures. There are areas within the Assessment area that have higher diversity than others. Aquatic systems are now more fragmented and isolated than historically and the introduction of non-native fish species has complicated current status of native fishes. Core habitat and population centers do remain as building blocks for restoration. Social and economic conditions within the Assessment area vary considerably, depending to a great extent on population, diversity of employment opportunities, and changing demographics. Those counties with the higher population densities and greater diversity of employment opportunities are generally more resilient to economic downturns. This Assessment provides a rich information base, including over 170 mapped themes with associated models and databases, from which future decisions can benefit. Keywords: Columbia basin, biophysical systems, social systems, ecosystem. Title: An assessment of ecosystem components in the interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins [volume 2] Author: Quigley, Thomas Milton; Arbelbide, S. J. (Sylvia J.) Year: 1997, 2008, 2005 Abstract Quigley, Thomas M.; Arbelbide, Sylvia J., tech. eds. 1997. An assessment of ecosystem components in the interior Columbia basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins: volume 2. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-405. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 4 vol. (Quigley, Thomas M., tech. ed.; The Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project: Scientific Assessment). The Assessment of Ecosystem Components in the Interior Columbia Basin and Portions of the Klamath and Great Basins provides detailed information about current conditions and trends for the biophysical and social systems within the Basin. This information can be used by land managers to develop broad land management goals and priorities and provides the context for decisions specific to smaller geographic areas. The Assessment area covers about 8 percent of the U.S. land area, 24 percent of the Nations National Forest System lands, 10 percent of the Nations BLM-administered lands, and contains about 1.2 percent of the Nations population. This results in a population density that is less than one-sixth of the U.S. average. The area has experienced recent, rapid population growth and generally has a robust, diverse economy. As compared to historic conditions, the terrestrial, aquatic, forest, and rangeland systems have undergone dramatic changes. Forested landscapes are more susceptible to fire, insect, and disease than under historic conditions. Rangelands are highly susceptible to noxious weed invasion. The disturbance regimes that operate on forest and rangeland have changed substantially, with lethal fires dominating many areas where non-lethal fires were the norm historically. Terrestrial habitats that have experienced the greatest decline include the native grassland, native shrubland, and old forest structures. There are areas within the Assessment area that have higher diversity than others. Aquatic systems are now more fragmented and isolated than historically and the introduction of non-native fish species has complicated current status of native fishes. Core habitat and population centers do remain as building blocks for restoration. Social and economic conditions within the Assessment area vary considerably, depending to a great extent on population, diversity of employment opportunities, and changing demographics. Those counties with the higher population densities and greater diversity of employment opportunities are generally more resilient to economic downturns. This Assessment provides a rich information base, including over 170 mapped themes with associated models and databases, from which future decisions can benefit. Keywords: Columbia basin, biophysical systems, social systems, ecosystem. Close

• 43. [Article] The potential of dynamic segmentation for aquatic ecosystem management : Pacific lamprey decline in the native lands of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (Oregon, USA)

  The Lamprey Eel Decline project conducted by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) combined traditional ecological knowledge, scientific research and geographic information science. CTSI wanted ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The potential of dynamic segmentation for aquatic ecosystem management : Pacific lamprey decline in the native lands of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (Oregon, USA) Author: Palacios, Kelly C. The Lamprey Eel Decline project conducted by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) combined traditional ecological knowledge, scientific research and geographic information science. CTSI wanted to learn why the Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata), a culturally and ecologically important species, was declining in the streams within their native land area. The project included interviewing native elders, characterizing stream habitat, monitoring water quality, creating a geographic information system (GIS) and educating tribal members on the cultural and ecological importance of the Pacific lamprey. Dynamic segmentation, a GIS data structure, was used to link standard stream survey data on the river unit scale to a base stream coverage (1:24,000). Dynamic segmentation efficiently associates georeferenced data to a linear feature, thus allowing the data to be readily assessable on desktop computer systems. To be more useful to the tribal and local resource managers, it is recommended that these GIS coverages of aquatic habitat should be used in conjunction with additional data coverages and basic regional models for watershed analysis and better management of aquatic ecosystems. Title: The potential of dynamic segmentation for aquatic ecosystem management : Pacific lamprey decline in the native lands of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (Oregon, USA) Author: Palacios, Kelly C. The Lamprey Eel Decline project conducted by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) combined traditional ecological knowledge, scientific research and geographic information science. CTSI wanted to learn why the Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata), a culturally and ecologically important species, was declining in the streams within their native land area. The project included interviewing native elders, characterizing stream habitat, monitoring water quality, creating a geographic information system (GIS) and educating tribal members on the cultural and ecological importance of the Pacific lamprey. Dynamic segmentation, a GIS data structure, was used to link standard stream survey data on the river unit scale to a base stream coverage (1:24,000). Dynamic segmentation efficiently associates georeferenced data to a linear feature, thus allowing the data to be readily assessable on desktop computer systems. To be more useful to the tribal and local resource managers, it is recommended that these GIS coverages of aquatic habitat should be used in conjunction with additional data coverages and basic regional models for watershed analysis and better management of aquatic ecosystems. Close

• 44. [Article] Wolves and the Ecology of Fear: Can Predation Risk Structure Ecosystems?

  We investigated how large carnivores, herbivores, and plants may be linked to the maintenance of native species biodiversity through trophic cascades. The extirpation of wolves (Canis lupus) from Yellowstone ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Wolves and the Ecology of Fear: Can Predation Risk Structure Ecosystems? Author: Beschta, Robert L., Ripple, William J. We investigated how large carnivores, herbivores, and plants may be linked to the maintenance of native species biodiversity through trophic cascades. The extirpation of wolves (Canis lupus) from Yellowstone National Park in the mid-1920s and their reintroduction in 1995 provided the opportunity to examine the cascading effects of carnivore–herbivore interactions on woody browse species, as well as ecological responses involving riparian functions, beaver (Castor canadensis) populations, and general food webs. Our results indicate that predation risk may have profound effects on the structure of ecosystems and is an important constituent of native biodiversity. Our conclusions are based on theory involving trophic cascades, predation risk, and optimal foraging; on the research literature; and on our own recent studies in Yellowstone National Park. Additional research is needed to understand how the lethal effects of predation interact with its nonlethal effects to structure ecosystems. Title: Wolves and the Ecology of Fear: Can Predation Risk Structure Ecosystems? Author: Beschta, Robert L., Ripple, William J. We investigated how large carnivores, herbivores, and plants may be linked to the maintenance of native species biodiversity through trophic cascades. The extirpation of wolves (Canis lupus) from Yellowstone National Park in the mid-1920s and their reintroduction in 1995 provided the opportunity to examine the cascading effects of carnivore–herbivore interactions on woody browse species, as well as ecological responses involving riparian functions, beaver (Castor canadensis) populations, and general food webs. Our results indicate that predation risk may have profound effects on the structure of ecosystems and is an important constituent of native biodiversity. Our conclusions are based on theory involving trophic cascades, predation risk, and optimal foraging; on the research literature; and on our own recent studies in Yellowstone National Park. Additional research is needed to understand how the lethal effects of predation interact with its nonlethal effects to structure ecosystems. Close

• 45. [Article] Nitrogen limitation, 15N tracer retention, and growth response in intact and Bromus tectorum-invaded Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis communities

  To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Nitrogen limitation, 15N tracer retention, and growth response in intact and Bromus tectorum-invaded Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis communities Author: Doescher, Paul S., Perakis, Steven S., DeCrappeo, Nicole M., Witwicki, Dana L., Pyke, David A. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://www.springer.com/?SGWID=0-102-0-0-0. Title: Nitrogen limitation, 15N tracer retention, and growth response in intact and Bromus tectorum-invaded Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis communities Author: Doescher, Paul S., Perakis, Steven S., DeCrappeo, Nicole M., Witwicki, Dana L., Pyke, David A. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://www.springer.com/?SGWID=0-102-0-0-0. Close

• 46. [Article] Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-1999

  Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-1999 Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining Willamette Valley prairies for at least 1000 years, prescribed burning is a top choice of managers for preventing encroachment of woody species. However, the effects of prescribed burning on present day wetland prairie communities, with their mix of native and non-native species, are not clear. Moreover, because strict governmental requirements for smoke management hinder prescribed burning, natural-area managers are considering alternatives to fire, like mowing and hand removal of woody plants. The present study explored the ecological interactions of a wetland prairie by experimentally testing the responses of burning, hand-removal of woody species, and mowing with removal of cut material on woody plants and key native and non-native grasses and forbs. We evaluated these perturbations for their effectiveness in meeting management objectives of reducing abundance of woody species, reducing or preventing an increase in abundance of nonnative pest species, and increasing or at least maintaining native species’ abundance. After three treatments periods (1994, 1996, and 1998) the following patterns emerged: • Woody species Burning and hand-removal consistently caused the greatest reduction in cover of woody species. Mowing with removal of cut material did not reduce the abundance of woody species compared to the control. As woody plant cover decreased, plant mortality increased, indicating that treatments influenced woody plant cover at least partially through changes in survival. • Native herbaceous species All management treatments consistently failed to significantly increase the cover of Deschampsia cespitosa, while burning decreased the number of inflorescences. As a group, native graminoid flowering consistently showed no significant responses to the management treatments. Although burning and hand-removal significantly increased the cover of native forbs as group after the second treatment period in 1997, native forbs showed no significant responses to treatments in 1999. • Non-native herbaceous species Response of non-native forb cover to management treatments has been inconsistent during the five year study period with no significant differences in 1995, significant reductions by burning and hand-removal in 1997, and increases with mowing in 1997. Mowing consistently increased flowering of nonnative graminoids as a group. Overall no treatment was clearly superior in fulfilling restoration objectives. Burning was effective in reducing woody cover and did not promote non-native herbaceous, but it reduced the flowering the dominant native grass, Deschampsia cespitosa. Hand-removal woody species was also effective at reducing woody cover and sometimes promoted the abundance of some native species at different times, but it also at times promoted non-native herbaceous species. Because mowing with removal of cut material was ineffective in reducing woody cover and tended to promote non-native herbaceous species, this treatment is not a recommended management strategy. Title: Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-1999 Author: Wilson, Mark V., Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining Willamette Valley prairies for at least 1000 years, prescribed burning is a top choice of managers for preventing encroachment of woody species. However, the effects of prescribed burning on present day wetland prairie communities, with their mix of native and non-native species, are not clear. Moreover, because strict governmental requirements for smoke management hinder prescribed burning, natural-area managers are considering alternatives to fire, like mowing and hand removal of woody plants. The present study explored the ecological interactions of a wetland prairie by experimentally testing the responses of burning, hand-removal of woody species, and mowing with removal of cut material on woody plants and key native and non-native grasses and forbs. We evaluated these perturbations for their effectiveness in meeting management objectives of reducing abundance of woody species, reducing or preventing an increase in abundance of nonnative pest species, and increasing or at least maintaining native species’ abundance. After three treatments periods (1994, 1996, and 1998) the following patterns emerged: • Woody species Burning and hand-removal consistently caused the greatest reduction in cover of woody species. Mowing with removal of cut material did not reduce the abundance of woody species compared to the control. As woody plant cover decreased, plant mortality increased, indicating that treatments influenced woody plant cover at least partially through changes in survival. • Native herbaceous species All management treatments consistently failed to significantly increase the cover of Deschampsia cespitosa, while burning decreased the number of inflorescences. As a group, native graminoid flowering consistently showed no significant responses to the management treatments. Although burning and hand-removal significantly increased the cover of native forbs as group after the second treatment period in 1997, native forbs showed no significant responses to treatments in 1999. • Non-native herbaceous species Response of non-native forb cover to management treatments has been inconsistent during the five year study period with no significant differences in 1995, significant reductions by burning and hand-removal in 1997, and increases with mowing in 1997. Mowing consistently increased flowering of nonnative graminoids as a group. Overall no treatment was clearly superior in fulfilling restoration objectives. Burning was effective in reducing woody cover and did not promote non-native herbaceous, but it reduced the flowering the dominant native grass, Deschampsia cespitosa. Hand-removal woody species was also effective at reducing woody cover and sometimes promoted the abundance of some native species at different times, but it also at times promoted non-native herbaceous species. Because mowing with removal of cut material was ineffective in reducing woody cover and tended to promote non-native herbaceous species, this treatment is not a recommended management strategy. Close

• 47. [Article] Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-2001

  Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-2001 Author: Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining Willamette Valley prairies for at least 1000 years, prescribed burning is a top choice of managers for preventing encroachment of woody species. However, the effects of prescribed burning on present day wetland prairie communities, with their mix of native and non-native species, are not clear. Moreover, because strict governmental requirements for smoke management hinder prescribed burning, natural-area managers are considering alternatives to fire, like mowing and hand-removal of woody plants. The present study explored the ecological interactions of a wetland prairie by experimentally testing the responses of burning, hand-removal of woody species, and mowing with removal of cut material on woody plants and key native and non-native grasses and forbs. We evaluated these perturbations for their effectiveness in meeting management objectives of reducing abundance of woody species, reducing or preventing an increase in abundance of nonnative pest species, and increasing or at least maintaining native species’ abundance. After four treatments periods (1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000) the following patterns emerged: • Woody species Burning and hand-removal of woody plants every two years consistently decreased the cover of woody species, even with a gradual increase in the controls to over double 1994 levels. The change in woody cover after mowing with removal of cut material was not significantly different from that in the control. As woody plant cover decreased, plant mortality increased, indicating that treatments influenced woody plant cover at least partially through changes in survival. • Native herbaceous species None of the treatments had a significant effect after four treatment periods on the proportional change in cover or in number of inflorescences of Deschampsia cespitosa, although the change in number of inflorescences was consistently less than that in the control, including a significant decrease with burning in 1997. As a group, native graminoid species showed no significant differences in flowering response to treatments during any of the four treatment periods. However, burning and mowing consistently promoted flowering of Juncus tenuis. The cover of native forbs as a group was not significantly different from that of the control, with the exception of 1997, where cover increased with burning and hand-removal. Even though native forbs as a group have generally not shown significant differences, individual native forb species have shown positive responses to treatments: Sidalcea cusickii, spp. purpurea, Eriophyllum lanatum, and Sisyrinchium idahoensis. • Non-native herbaceous species Both hand-removal and mowing promoted flowering of non-native graminoids as a group. In contrast, burning maintained levels of flowering of non-native graminoids similar to that of the controls. Cover of non-native forbs as a group showed no significant treatment differences except for 1997, in which significant reductions in cover occurred after burning and hand-removal. The results to date show that prescribed burning is the best option of the three tested management treatments for achieving the restoration goals for native wetland prairies. Because mowing with removal of cut material was ineffective in reducing woody cover and tended to promote non-native herbaceous species, this treatment should be avoided. Title: Controlling woody vegetation in wetland prairies, 1994-2001 Author: Clark, Deborah Louise, 1950- Wetland prairies of the Willamette Valley, among the rarest of Oregon’s ecosystems, are threatened by invasion of woody species and non-native pest species. Because fire has been important in maintaining Willamette Valley prairies for at least 1000 years, prescribed burning is a top choice of managers for preventing encroachment of woody species. However, the effects of prescribed burning on present day wetland prairie communities, with their mix of native and non-native species, are not clear. Moreover, because strict governmental requirements for smoke management hinder prescribed burning, natural-area managers are considering alternatives to fire, like mowing and hand-removal of woody plants. The present study explored the ecological interactions of a wetland prairie by experimentally testing the responses of burning, hand-removal of woody species, and mowing with removal of cut material on woody plants and key native and non-native grasses and forbs. We evaluated these perturbations for their effectiveness in meeting management objectives of reducing abundance of woody species, reducing or preventing an increase in abundance of nonnative pest species, and increasing or at least maintaining native species’ abundance. After four treatments periods (1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000) the following patterns emerged: • Woody species Burning and hand-removal of woody plants every two years consistently decreased the cover of woody species, even with a gradual increase in the controls to over double 1994 levels. The change in woody cover after mowing with removal of cut material was not significantly different from that in the control. As woody plant cover decreased, plant mortality increased, indicating that treatments influenced woody plant cover at least partially through changes in survival. • Native herbaceous species None of the treatments had a significant effect after four treatment periods on the proportional change in cover or in number of inflorescences of Deschampsia cespitosa, although the change in number of inflorescences was consistently less than that in the control, including a significant decrease with burning in 1997. As a group, native graminoid species showed no significant differences in flowering response to treatments during any of the four treatment periods. However, burning and mowing consistently promoted flowering of Juncus tenuis. The cover of native forbs as a group was not significantly different from that of the control, with the exception of 1997, where cover increased with burning and hand-removal. Even though native forbs as a group have generally not shown significant differences, individual native forb species have shown positive responses to treatments: Sidalcea cusickii, spp. purpurea, Eriophyllum lanatum, and Sisyrinchium idahoensis. • Non-native herbaceous species Both hand-removal and mowing promoted flowering of non-native graminoids as a group. In contrast, burning maintained levels of flowering of non-native graminoids similar to that of the controls. Cover of non-native forbs as a group showed no significant treatment differences except for 1997, in which significant reductions in cover occurred after burning and hand-removal. The results to date show that prescribed burning is the best option of the three tested management treatments for achieving the restoration goals for native wetland prairies. Because mowing with removal of cut material was ineffective in reducing woody cover and tended to promote non-native herbaceous species, this treatment should be avoided. Close

• 48. [Article] Ecosystem Recovery in Estuarine Wetlands of the Columbia River Estuary

  In the restoration of tidal wetland ecosystems, potential drivers of plant community development range from biotic controls (e.g. plant competition, seed dispersal) to abiotic controls (e.g. tidal flooding, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Ecosystem Recovery in Estuarine Wetlands of the Columbia River Estuary Author: Kidd, Sarah Ann Year: 2017 In the restoration of tidal wetland ecosystems, potential drivers of plant community development range from biotic controls (e.g. plant competition, seed dispersal) to abiotic controls (e.g. tidal flooding, salinity levels). How these controls influence the success of tidal wetland restoration are only partly understood, but have important implications for wetland habitat recovery. Specifically, the extent to which the existing native and non-native seed banks in tidally reconnected wetlands interact with these controls is not clear, yet the potential success of passive restoration methods depends upon this understanding. For a 54-year chronosequence of eleven tidal wetland restoration sites in the Lower Columbia River of western Oregon, USA, it was hypothesized that native plant species and soil properties would show trends approaching reference levels within 3 to 20 years post-restoration and that lower elevation wetland areas within restored sites would exhibit a greater native species abundance and similarity to reference sites, compared with restored high elevation wetland areas. Results indicated that plant species richness, soil organic matter, bulk density, pH, and salinity conditions among the restoration sites reached reference wetland ranges within 3-6 years post-tidal reconnection. The mid-low marsh elevation zones (2.5 m) remained dominated by non-native species Phalaris arundinacea and Juncus effusus subsp. effusus. To investigate the mechanisms driving these non-native plant invasions, it was hypothesized that native and non-native wetland plant community distributions would be reflective both of their abundance in the seed bank and of their germination tolerance to wetland tidal flooding and salinity conditions. Using a factorial study design of three tidal conditions by three salinity levels, these hypotheses were tested in the greenhouse. Overall, non-native seeds were found to significantly outnumber native seeds in both seed banks. In the greenhouse, P. arundinacea and J. effusus were found to germinate more readily out of the seed bank under freshwater high-marsh flooding (1 hour a day) treatments as compared to oligohaline (3 ppt) mid-low marsh flooding (3-6 hours twice a day) treatments and to brackish salinity (10 ppt) treatments. Dominant native wetland species, Carex lyngbyei and Schoenoplectus lacustris, germination were not found to vary significantly among the treatments (p > 0.10). These results indicate that the salinity and flooding gradients within these restored marshes suppress germination of the non-native species in the low-mid marsh but not in the high marsh, where they are likely able to outcompete the native species due to their dominance in the seed bank. The implications of these results for passive tidal wetland restoration efforts are that both seed bank composition and species-specific tolerances to restored tidal flooding and salinity gradients are key mechanisms driving native and non-native plant community development and resilience. Title: Ecosystem Recovery in Estuarine Wetlands of the Columbia River Estuary Author: Kidd, Sarah Ann Year: 2017 In the restoration of tidal wetland ecosystems, potential drivers of plant community development range from biotic controls (e.g. plant competition, seed dispersal) to abiotic controls (e.g. tidal flooding, salinity levels). How these controls influence the success of tidal wetland restoration are only partly understood, but have important implications for wetland habitat recovery. Specifically, the extent to which the existing native and non-native seed banks in tidally reconnected wetlands interact with these controls is not clear, yet the potential success of passive restoration methods depends upon this understanding. For a 54-year chronosequence of eleven tidal wetland restoration sites in the Lower Columbia River of western Oregon, USA, it was hypothesized that native plant species and soil properties would show trends approaching reference levels within 3 to 20 years post-restoration and that lower elevation wetland areas within restored sites would exhibit a greater native species abundance and similarity to reference sites, compared with restored high elevation wetland areas. Results indicated that plant species richness, soil organic matter, bulk density, pH, and salinity conditions among the restoration sites reached reference wetland ranges within 3-6 years post-tidal reconnection. The mid-low marsh elevation zones (2.5 m) remained dominated by non-native species Phalaris arundinacea and Juncus effusus subsp. effusus. To investigate the mechanisms driving these non-native plant invasions, it was hypothesized that native and non-native wetland plant community distributions would be reflective both of their abundance in the seed bank and of their germination tolerance to wetland tidal flooding and salinity conditions. Using a factorial study design of three tidal conditions by three salinity levels, these hypotheses were tested in the greenhouse. Overall, non-native seeds were found to significantly outnumber native seeds in both seed banks. In the greenhouse, P. arundinacea and J. effusus were found to germinate more readily out of the seed bank under freshwater high-marsh flooding (1 hour a day) treatments as compared to oligohaline (3 ppt) mid-low marsh flooding (3-6 hours twice a day) treatments and to brackish salinity (10 ppt) treatments. Dominant native wetland species, Carex lyngbyei and Schoenoplectus lacustris, germination were not found to vary significantly among the treatments (p > 0.10). These results indicate that the salinity and flooding gradients within these restored marshes suppress germination of the non-native species in the low-mid marsh but not in the high marsh, where they are likely able to outcompete the native species due to their dominance in the seed bank. The implications of these results for passive tidal wetland restoration efforts are that both seed bank composition and species-specific tolerances to restored tidal flooding and salinity gradients are key mechanisms driving native and non-native plant community development and resilience. Close

• 49. [Article] The Potential of dynamic segmentation for aquatic ecosystem management : Pacific Lamprey decline in the native lands of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

  The Lamprey Eel Decline project conducted by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) combined traditional ecological knowledge, scientific research and geographic information science. CTSI wanted ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Potential of dynamic segmentation for aquatic ecosystem management : Pacific Lamprey decline in the native lands of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Author: Palacios, Kelly C. The Lamprey Eel Decline project conducted by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) combined traditional ecological knowledge, scientific research and geographic information science. CTSI wanted to learn why the Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata), a culturally and ecologically important species, was declining in the streams within their native land area. The project included interviewing native elders, characterizing stream habitat, monitoring water quality, creating a geographic information system (GIS) and educating tribal members on the cultural and ecological importance of the Pacific lamprey. Dynamic segmentation, a GIS data structure, was used to link standard stream survey data on the river unit scale to a base stream coverage (1:24,000). Dynamic segmentation efficiently associates georeferenced data to a linear feature, thus allowing the data to be readily assessable on desktop computer systems. To be more useful to the tribal and local resource managers, it is recommended that these GIS coverages of aquatic habitat should be used in conjunction with additional data coverages and basic regional models for watershed analysis and better management of aquatic ecosystems. Title: The Potential of dynamic segmentation for aquatic ecosystem management : Pacific Lamprey decline in the native lands of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Author: Palacios, Kelly C. The Lamprey Eel Decline project conducted by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) combined traditional ecological knowledge, scientific research and geographic information science. CTSI wanted to learn why the Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata), a culturally and ecologically important species, was declining in the streams within their native land area. The project included interviewing native elders, characterizing stream habitat, monitoring water quality, creating a geographic information system (GIS) and educating tribal members on the cultural and ecological importance of the Pacific lamprey. Dynamic segmentation, a GIS data structure, was used to link standard stream survey data on the river unit scale to a base stream coverage (1:24,000). Dynamic segmentation efficiently associates georeferenced data to a linear feature, thus allowing the data to be readily assessable on desktop computer systems. To be more useful to the tribal and local resource managers, it is recommended that these GIS coverages of aquatic habitat should be used in conjunction with additional data coverages and basic regional models for watershed analysis and better management of aquatic ecosystems. Close

• 50. [Article] Community and ecosystem dynamics in remnant and restored prairies

  xiv, 166 p. : ill. A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Community and ecosystem dynamics in remnant and restored prairies Author: Pfeifer-Meister, Laurel, 1978- Year: 2009, 2008 xiv, 166 p. : ill. A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. Title: Community and ecosystem dynamics in remnant and restored prairies Author: Pfeifer-Meister, Laurel, 1978- Year: 2009, 2008 xiv, 166 p. : ill. A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. Close