Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource managers

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acknowledged in 2015 that it is critical to use science-informed decision making at every level and in every program (Kitchell et al. 2015). Large bodies of science exist on many topics that are priorities for BLM, including management of sage-grouse habitat and control of invasive species. However, large volumes of scientific publications, restricted access, and limited staff capacity or time can hinder managers’ ability to find and evaluate this science and determine how best to use the various findings in their decisions. Therefore, the USGS and BLM are collaborating to provide land managers and planners with references to guide management decisions based on high priority issues.

There is a large focus on the sagebrush biome across the western US, which is an imperiled landscape that is shrinking due to the interaction between annual invasive grasses and uncharacteristic wildfires. Two wildlife species that have been of concern include the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Three invasive annual grass species (cheatgrass [Bromus tectorum], medusahead [Taeniatherum caput-medusae], and Ventenata spp.) continue to spread across western sagebrush rangelands and can double the risk of wildfire while converting native sagebrush into nonnative invasive grasslands. Understanding current and future threat of invasive annual grasses in the sagebrush ecosystem is a critical need for resource and wildfire management, planning, and conservation design for this imperiled ecosystem. This information can be integrated into state and regional efforts to inform cost-effective decisions about invasive plant management and removal and to protect native ecosystems, community livelihoods, and resources of concern.

Project objectives

The objectives of this project are to facilitate the integration of science into decision-making on western lands through working with BLM and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to develop annotated bibliographies available on a searchable online platform.

Approach

We have developed a standardized process for completing annotated bibliographies, which includes:

1. Conducting a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases,
2. Developing objective, unbiased summaries for a management audience,
3. Peer reviewing and publishing the full annotated bibliography, and
4. Providing mangers with a searchable online tool that can be filtered by management topics.

Anticipated benefits

The products and online platform, developed based on a similar tool for greater sage-grouse, will provide a comprehensive, searchable collection of concisely summarized science on multiple topics in a single location, facilitating the use of that science by western land managers. We have published annotated bibliographies for the greater sage-grouse, ventenata spp., pygmy rabbits (in review), medusahead (in progress). Future bibliographies include a focus on cheatgrass and Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus)