Proceedings brand creation for a prescribed fire culture – utilizing key social media parameters. Lars Coleman*1, J. Kelly Hoffman1, Thomas McDaniel1, R. Patrick Bixler2, Urs P. Kreuter1, Morgan Russell3

Lessons learned from restoration projects that we observe over time are numerous.  A few that rank at the top include:

IMPROVING SEEDING SUCCESS IN THE SAGEBRUSH STEPPE WITH SEED PRIMING AND DEEP FURROW PLANTINGS

In the western United States, direct seeding is a common practice that attempts to restore native plant communities and ecological function back into the ecosystem. However, many invasive annual weed species such as Bromus tectorum have a faster germination time than commonly seeded native species, which appears to give them an advantage in dealing with harsh temperature and soil moisture environments. We evaluated the ability of seed priming and microsite manipulation through deep furrowing to improve seedling establishment in a Wyoming big sagebrush ecological site near Vernon Utah. Within a randomized block split-plot design, Pseudoroegneria spicata and Linum lewisii seed was either left untreated, pelleted, or primed and pelleted. Seeds were planted in the spring (March), at either a 5 mm depth below the soil surface or at the same depth in the bottom of a 120 mm deep furrow. Both priming and deep furrowing increased seedling density for both species with the combination of the two treatments producing the highest treatment response. For example, in the first month after planting, primed seed of L. lewisii and P. spicata in deep furrows had 303-128% more seedlings, respectively, than untreated seed not planted in deep furrows. By the end of the growing season differences between these two treatments declined to 151-94% more seedlings, respectively. These results indicate that rapid germination of primed seeds and the use of deep furrows to improve plant microsite conditions may assist seedlings in establishing earlier in the growing season and better compete with invasive species. 

USE OF FLASH FLAMING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE SEED HANDLING AND DELIVERY OF WINTERFAT SEEDS

Ecological restoration of rangelands using wild-collected seeds can be challenging for land managers in many parts of the world. Difficulties due to low seed quality, inconvenient seed anatomy, and poor seed establishment are some of the major factors contributing to restoration failure. In rangelands of North America, the half-shrub winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A. Meeuse & Smit) is a valuable protein-rich forage for wildlife and livestock, particularly during the fall and winter period. Seeds are contained in one-seeded fruits enclosed in four silky bracts. While the seeds can be removed from the bracts through cleaning it is not recommended; the bracts are thought to help protect the radicle region of the seed and aid in seed germination and early seedling growth. However, fluffy bracts of winterfat make it difficult to incorporate the seed at any significant level within a seed mix because it can prevent the seed from flowing from mechanized seeders. Additionally, fluffy bracts limit the ability of seed pretreatments to be applied, such as a seed coating. Our goal was to evaluate a recently developed seed cleaning technique on winterfat that uses “flash flaming” to remove seed appendages. We demonstrate how flash flaming can be used to improve the geometry of the seed without impacting seed germination. Cleaning winterfat seeds through “flash flaming” allows the seeds to be distributed through a broadcast seeder and improves the quality and integrity of a polymer seed coating. Future work is now merited for evaluating how flash flaming winterfat seeds influence seed germination and plant survival in field conditions. If shown to be successful, flash flaming could prove to be a new technology that allows the planting of winterfat seeds on degraded rangelands.  

USE OF PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER AS A SEED COATING TO ENHANCE SEEDLING GROWTH OF BLUEBUNCH WHEATGRASS

Applying fertilizers at the time of planting may improve native plant establishment by increasing the ability of the seedlings to cope with environmental stresses. However, traditional fertilizer applications are often economically infeasible and may be counterproductive by encouraging weed invasion. Seed coating technology allows for the efficient application of fertilizers within the microsite of the seeded species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fertilizer as a seed coating treatment to improve seedling emergence and plant growth, and to determine the optimal rate of fertilizer to apply to the seed. We chose to use a phosphorus rich and nitrogen poor fertilizer (9-30-1) to promote root growth over shoot growth. Fertilizer was applied to bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve) seeds in a rotary coater at rates of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 g of fertilizer 100 g-1 of seed.  Seeds were planted in 13 x 13 cm acrylic boxes filled with fine sand. Seedling emergence was counted every couple days. At the conclusion of the study (90 days from sowing) seedlings were harvested and biomass of the roots and shoots were recorded. Results show an increase in biomass produced from seeds coated with 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 g of fertilizer 100 g-1 of seed and a decrease in biomass as rates exceeded 16 g of fertilizer 100 g-1 of seed. These preliminary results indicate that a fertilizer seed coating can be effective in improving seedling growth of bluebunch wheatgrass, which may improve seeding success in nutrient poor rangeland soils. Future work is merited for evaluating fertilizer seed coatings in the field. 

EFFICACY OF ABSCISIC ACID IN REDUCING SEEDING FAILURE BY DELAYING GERMINATION OF PSEUDOROGENIA SPICATA. Travis G. Sowards*, Matthew D. Madsen, Bruce A. Roundy, Sam St Clair; Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

The Great Basin covers approximately 49.2 million hectares and spans from the Columbia Plateau to the Mohave Desert and from Wasatch Mountains to the Sierra Nevadas. Within this region the invasive annual grass Bromus tectorum has caused a shift in the fire-regime, resulting in reduced burn intervals. Post-fire restoration efforts have focused on establishing native perennial grasses, forbs, and shrubs to increase competition and reduce B. tectorum population. Pseudorogenia spicata (bluebunch wheatgrass) is a drought tolerant steppe system bunch-grass frequently used in restoration projects; however, fall seeding events have a reported germination occurrence of 80% within sub-optimal winter conditions. Winter germination timing leads to greater pathogen susceptibility, premature exhaustion of seed resources (carbohydrates), drought stress and predation, thereby increasing seeding failure. The plant hormone abscisic acid is reported to prolong seed dormancy and has the potential to mitigate seeding failure due to sub-optimal germination timing.

LABORATORY EVALUATION OF ABSCISIC ACID AND GIBBERELLIC ACID SEED COATINGS TO IMPROVE GERMINATION TIMING OF WYOMING BIG SAGEBRUSH

Impacts to sagebrush habitat are threatening the survival of hundreds of sagebrush obligate and associated species and decreasing rangeland ecosystem goods and services. Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis) is a dominant shrub on the more arid portions of the sagebrush biome. Efforts to reestablish this species through seeding has been met with limited success. In general, germination timing can have a strong influence on the ability of a plant to establish. Altering the timing of germination for Wyoming big sagebrush may improve the establishment of this species. Seed germination timing can be adjusted by altering the planting date. Seed enhancement technologies also offer a novel approach to controlling germination timing. The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) can be applied to seeds to delay germination. Conversely, the plant hormone gibberellic acid (GA) can be used to accelerate germination. The objective of our research was to understand how planting date and application of ABA and GA treatments influence germination timing of Wyoming big sagebrush. Seed was either left untreated, treated separately with 5 concentrations of ABA and treated with 5 concentrations of GA. Hydrothermal germination models were developed for each seed treatment and applied to field soil moisture and temperature data to predict germination timing. Simulated planting dates were tested at monthly intervals from October – April on 8 different years at 6 different Wyoming big sagebrush sites. Results indicate that planting date, ABA, and GA concentrations can have a strong influence on seed germination timing. Depending on the planting date, and coating application rate, simulations show that ABA or GA could alter germination timing to occur in windows that appear to have more favorable temperature and moisture conditions for plant establishment. 

INFLUENCE OF SMOKE ON SEED GERMINATION IN THE SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS
. Yvonne Jimison*, Robert D. Cox; Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

ABSTRACT

Although smoke has been known to influence germination of species from many Mediterranean-climate ecosystems, little is known about how species in the Southern High Plains of Texas respond to smoke.  We tested four native plant species (sideoats grama, Bouteloua curtipendula “El Reno”; blue grama, Bouteloua gracilis “Hachita”; plains coreopsis, Coreopsis tinctoria “Plains”; and Illinois bundleflower, Desmanthus illinoensis) using aerial smoke and heat from in-situ prescribed fire as an application method for in-situ germination responses. We also tested the same species, and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), using varying concentrations of liquid smoke for ex-situ germination responses in a lab setting. Arial smoke neither inhibited nor increased germination of some species, but liquid smoke had inhibitory effects at specific concentrations on all species. Using this knowledge of the inhibitory effects may allow for targeted use as a pre-treatment application of some species in rangeland management methods. Additional testing of even more species may increase our knowledge of germination responses of smoke applications, providing greater flexibility for managing rangelands in this region. 

IMMATURE SEEDLING FATE AND GROWTH DYNAMICS OF THE NATIVE GRASS, ELYMUS ELYMOIDES

SEASONALITY OF PRECIPITATION AFFECTS BUNCHGRASS SEEDLING SENESCENCE IN POST-FIRE SAGEBRUSH RANGELANDS. Quinn R. Campbell*¹, Jeffrey M. Gicklhorn¹, Beth A. Newingham²; ¹University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, ²USDA-ARS, Reno, NV

Soil water availability is a major limiting factor for plant growth in arid ecosystems, which presents challenges for arid ecosystem restoration. Native perennial bunchgrasses are often seeded after wildfire in the Great Basin to prevent the spread of invasive species and minimize soil erosion; however, seeding failure is often attributed to lack of suitable winter precipitation. Seedling emergence and establishment depend on adequate winter precipitation; survival through the growing-season may depend on infrequent, growing-season events that delay soil water deficit and subsequent plant senescence. We investigated how growing-season rainfall events affected soil moisture and possible effects on bunchgrass seedling senescence. We used soil moisture probes to record hourly soil moisture data at two sites (northwestern Nevada and southeastern Oregon) during the second and third year after wildfire. We used soil moisture data to quantify the magnitude of increase in soil moisture and duration of delay in soil-water deficit. Seedling senescence and growing-season precipitation events were measured using regular field surveys and high-precision rain gauges, respectively. The Nevada site experienced average spring precipitation but above-average summer precipitation both years; the Oregon site experienced average rainfall in year two but above-average spring and below average summer precipitation in year three. Across both sites and both years, soil moisture increased at a greater magnitude in response to later growing-season events as compared to earlier season events with similar amounts of precipitation. Summer precipitation events in Nevada had a strong effect on soil moisture and delayed soil moisture deficit until later in the season than in Oregon. The delay in soil moisture deficit corresponded with a delay in seedling tiller senescence, where bunchgrass tillers at Nevada senesced later than those in Oregon in both years. Our results suggest that variation in growing-season precipitation may play an important role in determining seeding treatment effectiveness.

NO TIME FOR SUCESSION: MAKING DESERT OUT OF ABANDONED AGRICULTURE. Ron A. Tucker*; Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Bishop, CA

Large-scale dryland reclamation is arguably one of the most difficult undertakings in restoration ecology.  This assertion compounds when restoration goals are established using socio-political deadlines with little to no consideration of edaphic development or biotic successional requirements.  Soil development and natural establishment of plant communities in undisturbed deserts is increasingly slow with late seral communities evolving over centuries.  Restoration goals in highly disturbed sites are often unrealistically set in the decadal time scale.  In 2003, restoration goals for 253 acres of abandoned agricultural lands in Laws California were developed including species, foliar cover, composition, and uniform distribution requirements.  All goals were to be completed by 2013.  Even after considerable capital investments and labor during the first five years progress was insufficient to attain goals within the specified time period.  The challenges associated with dryland restoration had proven to be extreme and numerous including high temperatures, limited moisture, low fertility and highly disturbed soils.  From 2003 to present inexpensive broadcast and dryland drill seeding methods transitioned to more costly above ground driplines and direct seeding methods, to ultimately a more involved and expensive method utilizing hundreds of miles of below ground drip lines and thousands of containerized plants.  Also during this time soil stability and microbial studies were conducted, various methods to control wind erosion and rodent herbivory were developed and duration and timing of irrigation water was refined.  Synergy of these improvements occurred in 2009 with the addition of two fully automated climate controlled greenhouses allowing for an aggressive twice annual outplanting of up to 36,000 containerized plants.  Although great strides were made during those last four years, goals were ultimately not met in 2013.  To date 233 of 253 acres have been fully planted with healthy maturing plants. New restoration goals are currently being developed.

ROLE OF SOILSCAPES IN RESTORING PASTURE AND CROPLAND IN GUANACASTE PROVINCE, COSTA RICA. Kevin Hesson*¹, Ron Reuter²; ¹Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, ²Oregon State University, Bend, OR

Conversion of native forests to cattle pasture and coffee plantations in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica has resulted in reduced habitat and fragmentation of vital avian and mammalian migration corridors. Efforts to restore forest corridors have seen mixed success. Soils have largely been absent from the conversation of restoration in the region. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of soilscapes on forest re-establishment. Three land use types were examined: pasture/cropland with low seedling survivorship, high seedling survivorship, and intact forest. After preliminary soil exploration, representative soil pits were excavated and sampled for basic soil characterization parameters: horizons, texture, pH, NPK, % C, color, roots, resistivity, and structure. For each site, a set of sample points were probed, designed to encompass soilscape variability. At each sample point, depth to Bt or clay-restrictive horizon and thickness and color of the A horizon were recorded. Correlations between sample pits and probe data were constructed. Probe data were geospatially analyzed to determine expected conditions in intact forests and soilscape variables most associated with seedling success or failure. Depth to clay and organic carbon content best indicate seedling success. Geospatial analysis also revealed a relationship between slope and thickness of the A horizon, which impacts the organic carbon content present at each site. Improving local knowledge of terrain-soil relationships can help local communities and conservation groups prioritize areas for restoration efforts, improving success and effectiveness.

SMALL MAMMALIAN HERBIVORES INHIBIT GRASS ESTABLISHMENT IN AN ARID SHRUBLAND. Samuel Abercrombie¹, Jeffrey S. Fehmi*¹, John L. Koprowski¹, Mary H. Nichols²; ¹University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, ²USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ

Shrub encroachment in southwestern grasslands has negatively impacted ranching, soil conservation, and grassland dependent species. Past research suggested that a complex interaction between grazing, altered fire regimes, and changing climates maintained shrublands once they established. Understanding the ecological interactions that maintain shrub dominance is critical for grassland restoration efforts to be successful. To assess the impact of native herbivores on grass reestablishment in an arid shrubland, we established an herbivore exclosure experiment on a 10.92 ha parcel on the USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed near Tombstone, Arizona. Cattle were removed from the site over 50 years ago, yet the intershrub areas remain devoid of an herbaceous layer. We hypothesized that at this site, herbivory pressure of native mammals is significant enough to suppress the reestablishment of an herbaceous strata, which provides a positive feedback for the continued displacement of grasslands by native shrubs. We constructed herbivore exclosures with 5 treatment levels which corresponded to herbivory pressure among size classes of mammalian herbivores. The levels were: small (e.g. kangaroo rats [Dipodomys merriami]), medium (e.g. desert cottontails [Sylvilagus audubonii]), and large (e.g. mule deer [Odocoileus hemionus]). Two control levels (total access and total exclosure) were included as well. We used a two-way repeated measures ANOVA with trial date and exclosure type as our factors, and found a significant difference in grass utilization among exclosure types (F(4,45)=14.38, p<0.001). A Tukey’s post-hoc analysis indicated that utilization was significantly higher in exclosures that allowed access to small and medium sized mammals, relative to our control (p<0.001). This pattern disappeared following the monsoon rains (p=0.96), suggesting that forage demand shifts significantly depending on season. Our results suggest that herbivory pressure from small and medium sized herbivores may impede the reestablishment of grasslands in an arid shrubland. 

THE GREAT BASIN CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION. Great Basin Society for Ecological Restoration*; Society for Ecological Restoration, Reno, NV

Founded in 2011, The SER Great Basin Chapter is dedicated to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among practitioners, researchers, students, policy makers and the general public to promote the science and application of restoration ecology. The Chapter promotes the importance of ecological restoration in the community to improve stewardship of Great Basin ecosystems. Chapter activities include The Right Seed in the Right Place at the Right Time webinar series and collaborative field tours, workshops and meetings. New programs of the Society for Ecological Restoration include a biennial North American conference for restoration ecologists and a program for professional certification for qualified practitioners. 

RESTORATION AND SUPPRESSION AS TOOLS FOR THWARTING ACCELERATED WILDFIRE IN THE GREAT BASIN. Mark A. Ricca*¹, Peter S. Coates², David S. Pilliod³, Cali L. Roth¹, Brian G. Prochazka¹, Michael Chenaille¹; ¹USGS-Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon, CA, ²USGS Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon, CA, ³US Geological Survey, Boise, ID

ABSTRACT

Larger and more frequent wildfires are a primary threat to sagebrush ecosystems and populations of Greater sage-grouse in the Great Basin. The threat is exacerbated by the invasion of annual grasses that drive an accelerated grass-fire cycle, which hinder recovery of fire-intolerant and slow-growing sagebrush. Moreover, recent research has quantified how increasing rates of cumulative (rather than instantaneous) area burned have long-term negative impacts on sage-grouse annual rates of population change. If these rates of cumulative area burned continue unabated, projections indicate that populations of sage-grouse in the Great Basin will be reduced to 43% of their current numbers over the next 3 decades.

Managers have two broad sets of tools available for slowing the loss of sagebrush and reduced persistence probability of sage-grouse in face of wildfire threats: post-wildfire restoration and wildfire suppression. To help identify how much effort from each tool is required to slow or nullify the cumulative effects of fire, we describe preliminary results of retrospective and prospective simulation analyses that model effects of: 1) increased suppression while accounting for current rates and restoration (i.e., seeding and seedling application); and 2) increasing restoration while accounting for current rates of suppression. These simulations account for factors influencing ecosystem resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasion (R&R), sagebrush return rates influenced by R&R, biophysical setting, and restoration type, and (eventually) juxtaposition of fuel breaks and assumed future annual grass control. Model output highlight that restoration and suppression activities are not mutually exclusive of one another, but also point out that the current rate of cumulative area burned in the Great Basin may outpace the rate at the which sage-grouse populations can respond positively as sagebrush recovers. This information is preliminary and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science.
 

RANCHING, RECREATION & RESILIENCE: A CROSS-SCALE AND MIXED METHODS VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT. Corrie N. Knapp*¹, Shannon McNeeley², Trevor Even², Julia Nave¹, John Gioia¹, Tyler Beeton², Bruce Rittenhouse³; ¹Western State Colorado University, Gunnison, CO, ²Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, ³Bureau of Land Management, Denver, CO