The WLCI has supported numerous aspen habitat treatments in the Sierra Madre Range of south-central Wyoming to reduce conifer cover, increase aspen densities, and diversify stand dynamics. WLCI partners are seeking information on how aspen and under-canopy vegetation have responded to those treatments, the relationship between soil chemistry and mechanical removal of conifers, and the response of invasive species to soil and litter disturbance associated with mechanical removal. To address these and similar questions, in FY2008 the USGS developed a study in the Sierra Madre Range to investigate aspen regeneration, herbivory, and growth rate, and to document interactions between soil disturbance and under-canopy vegetation after mechanical treatments. Aspen sucker density and growth rate from the Sierra Madre treatment site will be compared with other aspen-restoration projects being conducted in the WLCI area.
We measured vegetation during the summer of 2008 prior to conifer removal at 45 randomly selected plots established across a gradient of aspen and conifer density and canopy cover, including pure stands of aspen. We sampled conifer and aspen canopy cover, herbaceous biomass and composition, aspen recruitment, and soils (Bowen, Aldridge, Anderson, Assal, and others, 2009). Post-treatment monitoring was implemented in 2009 and continued through 2012. The monitoring included measurements to determine how aspen and herbaceous plant species are responding to the treatment and whether soil disturbances and litter accumulation from logging activities affect short- and long-term recovery of aspen (Bowen, Aldridge, Anderson, Assal, and others, 2011). In 2011, the sampling effort included the collection of core and disc samples from live aspen to determine aspen stand chronology and radial growth (Bowen, Aldridge, Anderson, Assal, and others, 2013). The study was expanded in 2012 to map and incorporate vegetation responses at additional treatment areas associated with the Little Snake Conservation District, and with lands under the jurisdictions of the BLM, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and private landowners. Vegetation sampling was conducted within treatment areas on public land by using the methods outlined in Bowen, Aldridge, Anderson, Chong, and others (2009). In 2013, data were compiled and summary statistics were presented to WLCI partners.
Project partners include the Little Snake Conservation District, the BLM Rawlins Field Office, and the USFS Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District. Results of this work will be used to establish targets for aspen regeneration in future aspen habitat projects, and to help WLCI LPDT members design and develop future treatments.
Bowen, Z.H., Aldridge, C.L., Anderson, P.J., Assal, T.J., Baer, L.A., Bristol, S., Carr, N.B., Chong, G.W., Diffendorfer, J.E., Fedy, B.C., Homer, S.L., Manier, D., Kauffman, M.J., Latysh, N., Melcher, C.P., Miller, K.A., Montag, J., and others, 2009, U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative -- 2008 annual report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1201, 83 p., at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1201/.
Bowen, Z.H., Aldridge, C.L., Anderson, P.J., Assal, T.J., Biewick, L.R.H., Blecker, S.W., Boughton, G.K., Bristol, S., Carr, N.B., Chalfoun, A.D., Chong, G.W., Clark, M.L., Diffendorfer, J.E., Fedy, B.C., Foster, K., Garman, S.L., Germaine, S., Holloway, J., Homer, C., Kauffman, M.J., Keinath, D., Latysh, N., Manier, D., McDougal, R.R., Melcher, C.P., Miller, K.A., Montag, J., Nutt, C.J., Potter, C.J., Schell, S., Shafer, S.L., Smith, D.B., Stillings, L.L., Tuttle, M., and Wilson, A.B., 2011, U.S. Geological Survey Science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative -- 2010 Annual Report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1219, 146 p., at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1219/.
Bowen, Z.H., Aldridge, C.L., Anderson, P.J., Assal, T.J., Biewick, L.R.H., Blecker, S.W., Boughton, G.K., Bristol, S., Carr, N.B., Chalfoun, A.D., Chong, G.W., Clark, M.L., Diffendorfer, J.E., Fedy, B.C., Foster, K., Garman, S.L., Germaine, S., Hethcoat, M.G., Holloway, J., Homer, C., Kauffman, M.J., Keinath, D., Latysh, N., Manier, D., McDougal, R.R., Melcher, C.P., Miller, K.A., Montag, J., Olexa, E.M., Potter, C.J., Schell, S., Shafer, S.L., Smith, D.B., Stillings, L.L., Sweat, M.J., Tuttle, M., and Wilson, A.B., 2013, U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative -- 2011 annual report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013-1033, 145 p., at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1033/OF13-1033_508.
Bowen, Z.H., Aldridge, C.L., Anderson, P.J., Chong, G.W., Drummond, M.A., Homer, C., Johnson, R.C., Kauffman, M.J., Knick, S.T., Kosovich, J.J., Miller, K.A., Owens, T., Shafer, S., and Sweat, M.J., 2009, U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008-5195, 26 p., at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5195/.
Products Completed in FY2013
- Map of aspen treatments and associated GIS files incorporating GPS field data presented to WLCI partner.
- Summary statistics were generated and results were presented to the Carbon LPDT.
Products Completed in FY2012
- GIS maps of woodland cover type were finalized and distributed to WLCI partners.
- Datasets from satellite imagery archives and long-term climate data were assembled.
- Assal, T.J., Anderson, P.J., and Urza, A.K., 2012, Assessment and monitoring of semi-arid woodlands in the LME, presented at the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative Science Workshop, May 14-17, 2012, Rock Springs, Wyo. Workshop report available at https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/54610ad6e4b0ba83040c59f0.
Products Completed in FY2011
- 2011 vegetation dataset with plot photos.
Products Completed in FY2010
Products Completed in FY2009
- Spatial data of long-term monitoring plots and photo points.
- Soil analysis and vegetation biomass data set.
- Spatial data on spotted knapweed location in study area and list of invasive species in study plots.
