Risk of Cheatgrass Displacement of Sagebrush and other Native Vegetation

Among threats to the sagebrush ecosystem in the Great Basin and elsewhere (BLM 1999, 2002; Nachlinger et al. 2001; Wisdom et al. 2003) is the threat of displacement of native habitats by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Mapping these threats in the sagebrush ecosystem will allow managers to identify areas of native vegetation at high risk of displacement, where active restoration may be required, versus areas at low risk, where conservation of existing habitats may be preferable. A draft model of risk of displacement of sagebrush and other native vegetation cover types by cheatgrass was applied to the 14 ecological provinces that intersect the Great Basin. The model was applied to sagebrush cover and other vegetation types believed to [...]