Determining the Environmental and Ecological Factors that Make Great Basin Watersheds Susceptible to Invasive Plant Species

GBEM-Team Leader

   -Jeanne Chambers

EPR-Project Leader

   -Robin Tausch

National Fire Plan

Fire and Invasion

This research is examining key factors influencing community susceptibility to the invasion and spread of invasive species in the Great Basin, beginning with the fire-adapted, exotic annual grass, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum).  It is addressing the hypothesis that most communities become more susceptible to exotic species invasion as a result of an increase in resource availability, such as occurs following fire or degradation by previous disturbance or land use activities.  Specifically, it is evaluating the effects of resource availability (i.e., nutrients, water) as influenced by environmental gradients, fire, and community condition or health on invasive species establishment, reproduction, and expansion.  It is evaluating the problem on both a local and regional basis, and including an examination of functional or "healthy" communities, communities at risk of conversion to invasive species, and revegetated communities.  This research is highly integrated with our two ongoing Joint Fire Science Program studies. This project has been funded from 2001 through 2006 through R&D proposals submitted in support of the National Fire Plan. 

Contacts: 

Jeanne C. Chambers jchambers@fs.fed.us

775.784.5329)

Robin J. Tausch rtausch@fs.fed.us

775.784.5329