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Donald Major

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Modeling Effects of Climate Change on Cheatgrass Die-Off Areas in the Northern Great Basin
Cheatgrass began invading the Great Basin about 100 years ago, changing large parts of the landscape from a rich, diverse ecosystem to one where a single invasive species dominates. Cheatgrass dominated areas experience more fires that burn more land than in native ecosystems, resulting in economic and resource losses. Therefore, the reduced production, or absence, of cheatgrass in previously invaded areas during years of adequate precipitation could be seen as a windfall. However, this cheatgrass dieoff phenomenon creates other problems for land managers like accelerated soil erosion, loss of early spring food supply for livestock and wildlife, and unknown recovery pathways. We used satellite data and scientific...
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Effects of Treatments on the Connectivity and Fragmentation of Wildlife Populations across the Great Basin
FY2016This project will evaluate the effects of vegetation treatments on population connectivity, genetic diversity and gene flow of wildlife species across the full extent of the Great Basin LCC. The recently approved BLM and Forest Service Land Use Plan Amendments will implement millions of acres of treatments in support of greater sage-grouse conservation. It is essential to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of these treatments on the connectivity and fragmentation of the landscape for multiple non-target species. We will use a dynamic landscape model to simulate fire and treatments, allowing each to vary by type (e.g., juniper removal, prescribed fire), extent, and influence on vegetation and fuels....
Categories: Data, Project; Types: Map Service, OGC WFS Layer, OGC WMS Layer, OGC WMS Service; Tags: Academics & scientific researchers, Applications and Tools, CA1, CA1, CA1, All tags...
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