Images

A scientist carefully collects a soil sample to determine soil density. Accurate soil density measurements are required for scaling soil carbon from the plot to the landscape. 

Screen shot visualization of wind direction and velocity from a coupled/fire atmosphere model run of a wildfire (Dude Fire).

A still image taken from a USGS Flow Photo Explorer camera (Pl_06.5) shows drying in a small stream in Shenandoah National Park.

This site was burned but not invaded by exotic annual grasses. Many perennial bunchgrasses were present before the fire and were able to recover quickly afterwards.

Cheatgrass has invaded the space between sagebrush shrubs on this landscape south of Rock Springs in Wyoming. 

This site south of Rock Springs in Wyoming was not burned but cheatgrass has invaded the space between sagebrush shrubs. 

This landscape south of Rock Springs, Wyoming was burned and subsequently invaded by cheatgrass. Cheatgrass has a short growing season and leaves behind mats of dry, dead material that serves as wildfire fuel--contributing to a cycle of more frequent and larger wildfires and more plant invasions.

This landscape in Rabbit Valley in Colorado was burned and then invaded by the exotic annual grass cheatgrass. A formerly diverse plant community was replaced by a sea of highly flammable grass. 

A still image taken from a USGS Flow Photo Explorer camera (Pl_06.5) shows isolated pools in a small stream in Shenandoah National Park.

A Project ROAM (Rapid and Other Methods for Assessment and Monitoring) crew collecting vegetation data at a complex plot with over 40 unique species. 

RAMPS and NPS host South African National Park scientist, Dr. Mmoto Masubelele, for field visits to exchange information on restoration and climate adaptation strategies. From left to right: Seth Munson, Dr. Mmoto Masubelele, park biologist Mark Szydlo. Photo by Seth Munson (USGS).

This site south of Rock Springs in Wyoming represents an intact sagebrush ecosystem. It has not been burned or invaded by exotic annual grasses. Undisturbed sagebrush steppe has bare ground between shrubs which helps to limit the spread of wildfire. When cheatgrass invades fires can grow larger.

A quadcopter drone rests on the orange landing pad, ready to fly over Rapid and Other Methods for Assessment and Monitoring (ROAM) plots to collect data that will be used to generate cover and density estimates.

A large quadcopter drone rests on the tailgate of a truck waiting to fly with hyperspectral imagery to estimate vegetation cover. 

A picture of Glacier National Park with native plants, including Indian paintbrushes in the foreground, confiders in the midground, and snowy mountains in the background. Photo by Linsday Dose, USGS contractor.

Close up of Sonoran Desert flowers, including California poppy, lupines, and purple owl's clover. Photo by Laura Shriver.

Sphaeralcea ambigua, a native plant seeded during RestoreNet experiments, thriving at the Lake Pleasant RestoreNet site in the Sonoran Desert. Photo by Laura Shriver.

The RestoreNet plot at McDowell Sonoran Preserve was surrounded by blooming native wildflowers, including purple owl's clover (Castillejia exserta). Photo by Laura Shriver.

Diverse plants growing in a connectivity modified (ConMod) treatment in the Sonoran Desert. Photo by Molly McCormick.

In 2022, we piloted RestoreNet V2.0 testing soil inoculation from undegraded reference sites, seed balls (white balls in photo), and pitting treatments (small indentions). Soil inoculation with healthy soils is expected to increase beneficial microbes at the degraded restoration site. Soil microbes can help reduce water stress in plants. Photo by Hannah Farrell.

High Mesa Grassland Wilderness Study Area in Colorado with purple and orange wildflowers, Credit: Bob Wick, BLM.