Site,Competition, and Plant Stock Influence Transplant Success of Wyoming Big Sagebrush |
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| Authors: | J. Kent McAdoo Chad S. Boyd Roger L. Sheley |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Associate Professor/Natural Resources Specialist, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Elko, NV 89801, USA.;2. Research Scientist, USDA-ARS Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center (EOARC), Burns, OR 97720, USA.;1. Ecologist, Institute for Applied Ecology, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA.;2. Professor, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;1. Research Agronomist, USDA-ARS Plant Germplasm and Testing Unit, Pullman, WA 99164, USA;2. Biologist, USDA-ARS Plant Germplasm and Testing Unit, Pullman, WA 99164, USA;3. Reseach Associate, The Conservation Planning Institute, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA;1. Assistant Professor, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA;2. Principal Wildlife Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Pocatello, ID 83204, USA;3. Professor, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA;1. Rangeland Scientist, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, Reno, NV, 89512, USA;2. Agricultural Research Science Technician, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, Reno, NV, 89512, USA;3. Soil Scientist, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, Reno, NV, 89512, USA;4. Rangeland Management Specialist, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, Reno, NV, 89512, USA;1. US Department of Agriculture (USDA)?Agricultural Research Services (ARS), Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, Reno, NV 89512, USA;2. Rangeland Management Specialist, USDA-ARS, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, Reno, NV 89512, USA;3. Planner & Environmental Specialist, Medford/Ashland BLM, Medford, OR 97504, USA;4. Rangeland Scientist Technician, USDA-ARS, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, Reno, NV 89512, USA;5. Agricultural Science Research Technician, USDA-ARS, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit, Reno 89512, NV, USA. |
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| Abstract: | Within the sagebrush steppe ecosystem, sagebrush plants influence a number of ecosystem properties, including nutrient distribution, plant species diversity, soil moisture, and temperature, and provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. Recent increases in frequency and size of wildfires and associated annual grass expansion within the Wyoming big sagebrush alliance have increased the need for effective sagebrush restoration tools and protocols. Our objectives were to quay the success of Wyoming big sagebrush transplants relative to transplant stock (nursery seedlings vs. wildlings) across different ecological sites and vegetation types and to test the hypothesis that reduction of herbaceous vegetation would increase survival of transplanted sagebrush. We used a randomized block (reps = 5) design at each of three sites—1) cheatgrass dominated, 2) native plant dominated, and 3) crested wheatgrass dominated—near Elko, Nevada. Treatments included plant stock (nursery stock or locally harvested wildlings) and herbicide (glyphosate) to reduce competition from herbaceous vegetation. Transplants were planted in the spring of 2009 and 2010 and monitored for survival. Data were analyzed for site and treatment effects using mixed-model ANOVA. Surviving plant density at and 2 yr postplanting was generally highest (up to 3-fold) on the native site (P < 0.05). Density of surviving transplants was almost 3-fold higher for nursery stock on most sites for the 2009 planting, but differences in survival by planting stock were minimal for the 2010 planting. Glyphosate application increased surviving plant density up to 300% (depending on site) for both years of planting. High labor and plant material investments (relative to traditional drilling or broadcasting) may limit the size of projects for which sagebrush transplants are practical, but these costs may be partially offset by high success relative to traditional methods. Our data indicate that sagebrush transplants can be effective for establishing sagebrush on depleted sites. |
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