Publications
Below is a list of WERC's peer-reviewed publications. If you are searching for a specific publication and cannot find it in this list, please contact werc_web@usgs.gov
Filter Total Items: 3707
Are Mojave Desert annual species equal? Resource acquisition and allocation for the invasive grass Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens (Poaceae) and two native species Are Mojave Desert annual species equal? Resource acquisition and allocation for the invasive grass Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens (Poaceae) and two native species
Abundance of invasive plants is often attributed to their ability ot outcompete native species. We compared resource acquisition and allocation of the invasive annual grass Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens with that of two native Mojave Desert annuals, Vulpia octoflora and Descurainia pinnata, in a glasshouse experiment. Each species was grown in monoculture at two densities and two...
Authors
Lesley A. DeFalco, David R. Bryla, Vickie Smith-Longozo, Robert S. Nowak
Effects of increased soil nitrogen on the dominance of alien annual plants in the Mojave Desert Effects of increased soil nitrogen on the dominance of alien annual plants in the Mojave Desert
1. Deserts are one of the least invaded ecosystems by plants, possibly due to naturally low levels of soil nitrogen. Increased levels of soil nitrogen caused by atmospheric nitrogen deposition may increase the dominance of invasive alien plants and decrease the diversity of plant communities in desert regions, as it has in other ecosystems. Deserts should be particularly susceptible to...
Authors
Matthew L. Brooks
Impact of past, present, and future fire regimes on North American Mediterranean shrublands Impact of past, present, and future fire regimes on North American Mediterranean shrublands
No abstract available at this time
Authors
Jon E. Keeley, C. J. Fotheringham
Long term productivity of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) in a snowpack-driven desert marsh Long term productivity of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) in a snowpack-driven desert marsh
Ruby Lake, Nevada, is a large palustrine wetland that hosts the southern-most major breeding population of Canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria). That arid marsh, fed by springs derived from mountain snowpack, differs in climate and hydrology from glaciated potholes of the northern prairies where most Canvasbacks breed. Fourteen years of nesting data on Canvasbacks over a 31 year period (1970...
Authors
Kammie L. Kruse, James R. Lovvorn, John Y. Takekawa, Jeffrey Mackay
California Red-legged Frog Surveys of Lower Redwood Creek, Golden Gate National Recreation Area California Red-legged Frog Surveys of Lower Redwood Creek, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
No abstract available at this time
Authors
Gary M. Fellers, Greg Guscio
Diet of bullfrogs in relation to predation on giant garter snakes at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge Diet of bullfrogs in relation to predation on giant garter snakes at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
No abstract available.
Authors
G.D. Wylie, Michael L. Casazza, M. Carpenter
Comparing potential fuel treatment trade-off models Comparing potential fuel treatment trade-off models
Understanding the trade-offs between short-term and long-term consequences of fire impacts on ecosystems is needed before a comprehensive fuels management program can be implemented nationally. We are evaluating 3 potential trade-off models at 8 locations in major U.S. fuel types. We present results of the initial testing of the 3 selected models/modelling approaches and a 4th model on...
Authors
David R. Weise, R. Kimberlin, M. Arbaugh, J. Chew, G. Jones, J. Merzenich, M. Witala, R. Keane, M. Schaff, Jan W. van Wagtendonk
Ecological criteria for evaluating candidate sites for marine reserves Ecological criteria for evaluating candidate sites for marine reserves
Several schemes have been developed to help select the locations of marine reserves. All of them combine social, economic, and biological criteria, and few offer any guidance as to how to prioritize among the criteria identified. This can imply that the relative weights given to different criteria are unimportant. Where two sites are of equal value ecologically, then socioeconomic...
Authors
Callum M. Roberts, Sandy Andelman, George Branch, Rodrigo H. Bustamante, Juan Carlos Castilla, Jenifer Dugan, Benjamin S. Halpern, Kevin D. Lafferty, Heather Leslie, Jane Lubchenco, Deborah McArdle, Hugh P. Possingham, Mary Ruckelshaus, Robert R. Warner
Science support for managing migratory waterfowl. Science support for managing migratory waterfowl.
Migratory birds in North America are an international resource shared by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Ultimate population management authority in the U.S. lies with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), but states participate in development of management decisions through the Flyway system. The FWS, state wildlife agencies, and nongovernmental organizations participate...
Authors
Joseph P. Fleskes, Michael R. Miller, John Y. Takekawa
Bark heat resistance of small trees in Californian mixed conifer forests: Testing some model assumptions Bark heat resistance of small trees in Californian mixed conifer forests: Testing some model assumptions
An essential component to models of fire-caused tree mortality is an assessment of cambial damage. Cambial heat resistance has been traditionally measured in large overstory trees with thick bark, although small trees have thinner bark and thus are more sensitive to fire. We undertook this study to determine if current models of bark heat transfer are applicable to small trees (
Authors
Phillip J. van Mantgem, Mark Schwartz
Application of ecological criteria in selecting marine reserves and developing reserve networks Application of ecological criteria in selecting marine reserves and developing reserve networks
Marine reserves are being established worldwide in response to a growing recognition of the conservation crisis that is building in the oceans. However, designation of reserves has been largely opportunistic, or protective measures have been implemented (often overlapping and sometimes in conflict) by different entities seeking to achieve different ends. This has created confusion among...
Authors
Callum M. Roberts, George Branch, Rodrigo H. Bustamante, Juan Carlos Castilla, Jenifer Dugan, Benjamin S. Halpern, Kevin D. Lafferty, Heather Leslie, Deborah McArdle, Mary Ruckelshaus, Robert R. Warner
Are Mojave Desert annual species equal? Resource acquisition and allocation for the invasive grass Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens (Poaceae) and two native species Are Mojave Desert annual species equal? Resource acquisition and allocation for the invasive grass Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens (Poaceae) and two native species
Abundance of invasive plants is often attributed to their ability ot outcompete native species. We compared resource acquisition and allocation of the invasive annual grass Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens with that of two native Mojave Desert annuals, Vulpia octoflora and Descurainia pinnata, in a glasshouse experiment. Each species was grown in monoculture at two densities and two...
Authors
Lesley A. Defalco, David R. Bryla, Vickie Smith-Longozo, Robert S. Nowak