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Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Scientists from the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center capitalize on their diverse expertise to answer scientific questions shaped by the environments of the western United States. We collaborate with each other and with partners to provide rigorous, objective, and timely information and guidance to support management, conservation, and restoration of the Nation's natural resources.

News

New research estimates the effectiveness of sagebrush restoration treatments across the sagebrush biome

New research estimates the effectiveness of sagebrush restoration treatments across the sagebrush biome

Climate futures for lizards and snakes

Climate futures for lizards and snakes

Special Issue of Rangeland Ecology and Management features USGS science in support of the Sagebrush Conservation Design

Special Issue of Rangeland Ecology and Management features USGS science in support of the Sagebrush Conservation Design

Publications

Edge effects along roadside fuel treatments in sagebrush steppe

Increasing wildfire has motivated the construction of fuel breaks on many rangelands to improve prospects for wildfire suppression. However, the linear shape of fuel breaks greatly increases treatment perimeter: area and thus increased potential for edge effects, e.g., invasions by exotic plants. Potential for edge effects are further increased by the disturbances associated with fuel-break implem
Authors
Samuel J. Price, Matthew Germino, Chloe Rose Watt

From causes of conflict to solutions: Shifting the lens on human–carnivore coexistence research

Human-carnivore conflicts pose significant challenges in the management and conservation of carnivores across the globe. Abundant research has led to generalizable insights into the causes of such conflicts. For example, conflicts predictably occur when carnivores have access to human food resources, particularly when their natural foods are scarce. However, similar insights into the effectiveness
Authors
Kyle Artelle, Heather E. Johnson, Rebecca McCaffery, Christopher Schell, Tyus Williams, Seth Wilson

Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome

ContextWidespread ecological degradation has prompted calls for massive global investments in ecological restoration, yet limited resources necessitate efficient application of restoration efforts. In western North America, altered fire regimes are increasing the scale of restoration needed to preserve the sagebrush (Artemisia species) biome but prioritizing and implementing effective restoration
Authors
Bryan C. Tarbox, Adrian P. Monroe, Michelle Jeffries, Justin L. Welty, Michael S. O'Donnell, Robert Arkle, David Pilliod, Peter S. Coates, Julie A. Heinrichs, Daniel Manier, Cameron L. Aldridge

Science

Impacts of Exotic Annual Grass Invasion, Wildfire, and Restoration on Carbon Storage in the Sagebrush Steppe

USGS is investigating the impact of the annual grass-fire cycle-- and restoration land treatments aimed at slowing that cycle-- on carbon storage in dryland soils.
link

Impacts of Exotic Annual Grass Invasion, Wildfire, and Restoration on Carbon Storage in the Sagebrush Steppe

USGS is investigating the impact of the annual grass-fire cycle-- and restoration land treatments aimed at slowing that cycle-- on carbon storage in dryland soils.
Learn More

Improving fatality estimates at wind energy facilities

The density-weighted proportion--or dwp--R software package improves estimates of total bird and bat fatalities at wind energy facilities by accounting for the fraction of carcasses that fall outside the searched area.
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Improving fatality estimates at wind energy facilities

The density-weighted proportion--or dwp--R software package improves estimates of total bird and bat fatalities at wind energy facilities by accounting for the fraction of carcasses that fall outside the searched area.
Learn More

Project ROAM

USGS is identifying, testing, and verifying rapid methods for rangeland assessment and restoration monitoring. Our methods complement existing monitoring frameworks, providing land management agencies with timely information that can be used to determine if restoration investments are successful, and why. Standardization, validation, repeatability, data management, and training are at the core of...
link

Project ROAM

USGS is identifying, testing, and verifying rapid methods for rangeland assessment and restoration monitoring. Our methods complement existing monitoring frameworks, providing land management agencies with timely information that can be used to determine if restoration investments are successful, and why. Standardization, validation, repeatability, data management, and training are at the core of...
Learn More
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