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Barbara E. Ralston (Former Employee)

Science and Products

Image: Jemez Red Rocks at Walatowa

Identifying the Vulnerability of Birds and Reptiles to Changes in Climate in the Southwest

Biodiversity is declining worldwide, and this trend could potentially become more severe as climate conditions change. An integral component of proactive adaptive management planning requires forecasts of how changes in climate will affect individual species. This need has been identified my multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Identifying the Vulnerability of Birds and Reptiles to Changes in Climate in the Southwest

Identifying the Vulnerability of Birds and Reptiles to Changes in Climate in the Southwest

Biodiversity is declining worldwide, and this trend could potentially become more severe as climate conditions change. An integral component of proactive adaptive management planning requires forecasts of how changes in climate will affect individual species. This need has been identified my multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of
Learn More

Riparian vegetation data downstream of Glen Canyon Dam in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park, AZ from 2014 to 2019 Riparian vegetation data downstream of Glen Canyon Dam in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park, AZ from 2014 to 2019

These data were collected by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) to support riparian vegetation monitoring along the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and the full pool level of Lake Mead. The objectives of the GCMRC riparian vegetation monitoring program are to annually measure and summarize the status (composition and cover) of native and non-native vascular...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona (ver. 2.0, 2022) Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona (ver. 2.0, 2022)

Trait-based approaches to vegetation analyses are becoming more prevalent in studies of riparian vegetation dynamics, including responses to flow regulation, groundwater pumping, and climate change. These analyses require species trait data compiled from the literature and floras or original field measurements. Gathering such data makes trait-based research time intensive at best and...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Remote sensing derived maps of tamarisk (2009) and beetle impacts (2013) along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona Remote sensing derived maps of tamarisk (2009) and beetle impacts (2013) along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

These data were compiled for quantifying the area of tamarisks (Tamarix spp.) in May 2009 and to quantify the area of beetle-impacted tamarisk in May 2013 within the 2009 tamarisk classification from Glen Canyon Dam to Separation Canyon, a total distance of 412 km along the Colorado River using the 2009 and 2013 0.2 m high-resolution airborne imagery datasets. We classified tamarisk...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Ground-dwelling arthropods along the Colorado River in Arizona, USAData Ground-dwelling arthropods along the Colorado River in Arizona, USAData

These data were compiled from pitfall traps deployed at three sites, along a 25 kilometers (km) stretch of the Colorado River, immediately downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Each site had both pre and post-dam riparian habitats present. Sampling for ground-dwelling arthropods using pitfall traps occurred continuously between June 17 and September 9...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, 2014 - 2016Data Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, 2014 - 2016Data

This dataset contains information on the physical traits and environmental tolerances of plant species occurring along the lower Colorado River through Grand Canyon. Due to the unique combination of plant species within the Grand Canyon, this flora shares species with many riparian areas in the western U.S.A. and represents obligate wetland to obligate upland plant species. Data for the...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Riparian vegetation, Colorado River, and climate: five decades of spatio-temporal dynamics in the Grand Canyon with river regulation Riparian vegetation, Colorado River, and climate: five decades of spatio-temporal dynamics in the Grand Canyon with river regulation

These data include image-based classifications of total vegetation from 1965, 1973, 1984, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2009, and characteristics of the river channel along the riparian area of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Mead Reservoir. Also, these polygon data represent the area inundated by the Colorado River in the aerial imagery from overflight of the Grand...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center
Filter Total Items: 25

Assessment of riparian vegetation patterns and change downstream from Glen Canyon Dam from 2014 to 2019 Assessment of riparian vegetation patterns and change downstream from Glen Canyon Dam from 2014 to 2019

Changes in riparian vegetation cover and composition occur in relation to flow regime, geomorphic template, and climate, and can have cascading effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Tracking such changes over time is therefore an important part of monitoring the condition and trajectory of riparian ecosystems. Maintaining diverse, self-sustaining riparian vegetation comprised of...
Authors
Emily C. Palmquist, Bradley J. Butterfield, Barbara E. Ralston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Associations between riparian plant morphological guilds and fluvial sediment dynamics along the regulated Colorado River in Grand Canyon Associations between riparian plant morphological guilds and fluvial sediment dynamics along the regulated Colorado River in Grand Canyon

Effects of riparian vegetation on fluvial sediment dynamics depend on morphological traits of the constituent species. Determining the effects of different morphological guilds on sedimentation rates, as influenced by multiple aspects of dam operations, can help identify viable strategies for streamflow and vegetation management to achieve riparian resource goals. Plants of increasing...
Authors
Bradley J. Butterfield, Paul E. Grams, Laura E. Durning, Joseph Hazel, Emily C. Palmquist, Barbara Ralston, Joel B. Sankey
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

A comparison of riparian vegetation sampling methods along a large, regulated river A comparison of riparian vegetation sampling methods along a large, regulated river

Monitoring riparian vegetation cover and species richness is an important component of assessing change and understanding ecosystem processes. Vegetation sampling methods determined to be the best option in other ecosystems (e.g., desert grasslands and arctic tundra) may not be the best option in multilayered, species rich, heterogeneous riparian vegetation. This study examines the...
Authors
Emily C. Palmquist, Sarah Sterner, Barbara Ralston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Hydrological regime and climate interactively shape riparian vegetation composition along the Colorado River, Grand Canyon Hydrological regime and climate interactively shape riparian vegetation composition along the Colorado River, Grand Canyon

Question How closely do riparian plant communities track hydrological and climatic variation in space, and how do interactions among hydrological and climatic filters influence success of flow management strategies? Location Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Methods Multi‐year vegetation surveys were conducted across three hydrological zones – active channel, active floodplain and inactive...
Authors
Bradley J. Butterfield, Emily C. Palmquist, Barbara Ralston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Monitoring riparian-vegetation composition and cover along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona Monitoring riparian-vegetation composition and cover along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona

Vegetation in the riparian zone (the area immediately adjacent to streams, such as stream banks) along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona, supports many ecosystem and societal functions. In both Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon, this ecosystem has changed over time in response to flow alterations, invasive species, and recreational use. Riparian-vegetation cover and...
Authors
Emily C. Palmquist, Barbara E. Ralston, Daniel A. Sarr, Taylor C. Johnson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Remote sensing of tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) impacts along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA Remote sensing of tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) impacts along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) is an invasive plant species that is rapidly expanding along arid and semi-arid rivers in the western United States. A biocontrol agent, tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata), was released in 2001 in California, Colorado, Utah, and Texas. In 2009, the tamarisk beetle was found further south than anticipated in the Colorado River ecosystem within the Grand Canyon...
Authors
Ashton Bedford, Temuulen T. Sankey, Joel B. Sankey, Laura E. Durning, Barbara Ralston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center, Office of Science Quality and Integrity

Science and Products

Image: Jemez Red Rocks at Walatowa

Identifying the Vulnerability of Birds and Reptiles to Changes in Climate in the Southwest

Biodiversity is declining worldwide, and this trend could potentially become more severe as climate conditions change. An integral component of proactive adaptive management planning requires forecasts of how changes in climate will affect individual species. This need has been identified my multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Identifying the Vulnerability of Birds and Reptiles to Changes in Climate in the Southwest

Identifying the Vulnerability of Birds and Reptiles to Changes in Climate in the Southwest

Biodiversity is declining worldwide, and this trend could potentially become more severe as climate conditions change. An integral component of proactive adaptive management planning requires forecasts of how changes in climate will affect individual species. This need has been identified my multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of
Learn More

Riparian vegetation data downstream of Glen Canyon Dam in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park, AZ from 2014 to 2019 Riparian vegetation data downstream of Glen Canyon Dam in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park, AZ from 2014 to 2019

These data were collected by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) to support riparian vegetation monitoring along the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and the full pool level of Lake Mead. The objectives of the GCMRC riparian vegetation monitoring program are to annually measure and summarize the status (composition and cover) of native and non-native vascular...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona (ver. 2.0, 2022) Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona (ver. 2.0, 2022)

Trait-based approaches to vegetation analyses are becoming more prevalent in studies of riparian vegetation dynamics, including responses to flow regulation, groundwater pumping, and climate change. These analyses require species trait data compiled from the literature and floras or original field measurements. Gathering such data makes trait-based research time intensive at best and...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Remote sensing derived maps of tamarisk (2009) and beetle impacts (2013) along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona Remote sensing derived maps of tamarisk (2009) and beetle impacts (2013) along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

These data were compiled for quantifying the area of tamarisks (Tamarix spp.) in May 2009 and to quantify the area of beetle-impacted tamarisk in May 2013 within the 2009 tamarisk classification from Glen Canyon Dam to Separation Canyon, a total distance of 412 km along the Colorado River using the 2009 and 2013 0.2 m high-resolution airborne imagery datasets. We classified tamarisk...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Ground-dwelling arthropods along the Colorado River in Arizona, USAData Ground-dwelling arthropods along the Colorado River in Arizona, USAData

These data were compiled from pitfall traps deployed at three sites, along a 25 kilometers (km) stretch of the Colorado River, immediately downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Each site had both pre and post-dam riparian habitats present. Sampling for ground-dwelling arthropods using pitfall traps occurred continuously between June 17 and September 9...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, 2014 - 2016Data Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, 2014 - 2016Data

This dataset contains information on the physical traits and environmental tolerances of plant species occurring along the lower Colorado River through Grand Canyon. Due to the unique combination of plant species within the Grand Canyon, this flora shares species with many riparian areas in the western U.S.A. and represents obligate wetland to obligate upland plant species. Data for the...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center

Riparian vegetation, Colorado River, and climate: five decades of spatio-temporal dynamics in the Grand Canyon with river regulation Riparian vegetation, Colorado River, and climate: five decades of spatio-temporal dynamics in the Grand Canyon with river regulation

These data include image-based classifications of total vegetation from 1965, 1973, 1984, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2009, and characteristics of the river channel along the riparian area of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Mead Reservoir. Also, these polygon data represent the area inundated by the Colorado River in the aerial imagery from overflight of the Grand...
By
Southwest Biological Science Center
Filter Total Items: 25

Assessment of riparian vegetation patterns and change downstream from Glen Canyon Dam from 2014 to 2019 Assessment of riparian vegetation patterns and change downstream from Glen Canyon Dam from 2014 to 2019

Changes in riparian vegetation cover and composition occur in relation to flow regime, geomorphic template, and climate, and can have cascading effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Tracking such changes over time is therefore an important part of monitoring the condition and trajectory of riparian ecosystems. Maintaining diverse, self-sustaining riparian vegetation comprised of...
Authors
Emily C. Palmquist, Bradley J. Butterfield, Barbara E. Ralston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Associations between riparian plant morphological guilds and fluvial sediment dynamics along the regulated Colorado River in Grand Canyon Associations between riparian plant morphological guilds and fluvial sediment dynamics along the regulated Colorado River in Grand Canyon

Effects of riparian vegetation on fluvial sediment dynamics depend on morphological traits of the constituent species. Determining the effects of different morphological guilds on sedimentation rates, as influenced by multiple aspects of dam operations, can help identify viable strategies for streamflow and vegetation management to achieve riparian resource goals. Plants of increasing...
Authors
Bradley J. Butterfield, Paul E. Grams, Laura E. Durning, Joseph Hazel, Emily C. Palmquist, Barbara Ralston, Joel B. Sankey
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

A comparison of riparian vegetation sampling methods along a large, regulated river A comparison of riparian vegetation sampling methods along a large, regulated river

Monitoring riparian vegetation cover and species richness is an important component of assessing change and understanding ecosystem processes. Vegetation sampling methods determined to be the best option in other ecosystems (e.g., desert grasslands and arctic tundra) may not be the best option in multilayered, species rich, heterogeneous riparian vegetation. This study examines the...
Authors
Emily C. Palmquist, Sarah Sterner, Barbara Ralston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Hydrological regime and climate interactively shape riparian vegetation composition along the Colorado River, Grand Canyon Hydrological regime and climate interactively shape riparian vegetation composition along the Colorado River, Grand Canyon

Question How closely do riparian plant communities track hydrological and climatic variation in space, and how do interactions among hydrological and climatic filters influence success of flow management strategies? Location Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Methods Multi‐year vegetation surveys were conducted across three hydrological zones – active channel, active floodplain and inactive...
Authors
Bradley J. Butterfield, Emily C. Palmquist, Barbara Ralston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Monitoring riparian-vegetation composition and cover along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona Monitoring riparian-vegetation composition and cover along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona

Vegetation in the riparian zone (the area immediately adjacent to streams, such as stream banks) along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona, supports many ecosystem and societal functions. In both Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon, this ecosystem has changed over time in response to flow alterations, invasive species, and recreational use. Riparian-vegetation cover and...
Authors
Emily C. Palmquist, Barbara E. Ralston, Daniel A. Sarr, Taylor C. Johnson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Remote sensing of tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) impacts along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA Remote sensing of tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) impacts along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) is an invasive plant species that is rapidly expanding along arid and semi-arid rivers in the western United States. A biocontrol agent, tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata), was released in 2001 in California, Colorado, Utah, and Texas. In 2009, the tamarisk beetle was found further south than anticipated in the Colorado River ecosystem within the Grand Canyon...
Authors
Ashton Bedford, Temuulen T. Sankey, Joel B. Sankey, Laura E. Durning, Barbara Ralston
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center, Office of Science Quality and Integrity
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