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Effect of Fire and Herbicides on Microphytic Crust Dynamics in High Desert Ecosystems
Completed
Past and present work on the Lawrence Memorial Grassland Preserve utilizes fire and herbicides as tools for annual grass control and re-vegetation. Little is known about the effect of these actions on the preserves microbiotic crusts. We are concerned about microbiotic crusts because of their contributions to biodiversity and ecosystem functions, such as enhancement of nutrient cycles, water cycles, and soil stability. This work includes two research projects and two pilot studies. The first research project examines the effects of prescribed fire on well-developed microbiotic crusts in a good-condition Idaho fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass steppe community. The second research project examines the effects of two glyphosate herbicides (Roundup© and Accord©) on microbiotic crusts in a bluebunch wheatgrass-Sandberg bluegrass lithosol community infested with the exotic annual grasses medusahead and cheatgrass. The first pilot study examines the effects of Roundup© on microbiotic crusts in a good-condition Idaho fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass steppe community, and compares point-intercept and ocular methods of assessing cover. The second pilot study examines the effect of high doses of Roundup© on a common desert moss (tortula moss).
Effects of fire and herbicides on microbiotic crust dynamics in high desert ecosystems - Summary tables
Pyke, David A. - Supervisory Research Ecologist
Phone: 541-750-7334
Email: david_a_pyke@usgs.gov
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