Predicted changes in precipitation and temperature associated with climate change may profoundly impact grassland community structure and function by affecting competitive dynamics between native and invasive species, potentially undermining the effectiveness of restoration activities.� In the Northern Great Plains, invasive grasses smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) are rapidly invading large area of native prairie, replace native species, such as western wheatgrass (Pascopyron smithii), and decrease biodiversity.� Although it is known that smooth bromegrass outcompetes with western wheatgrass, the effects of climate change on their seed germination and therefore competitive advantage is lesser known. The objective of this study was to examine how temperature altered seed germination of invasive smooth bromegrass and native western wheatgrass. Treatments consisted of the combination of two pre-treatment conditions (stratified and non-stratified) and ten temperature regimes including six alternating temperatures (10?C/15?C, 10?C/20?C, 15?C/25?C, 15?C/20?C, 15?C/30?C, 20?C/30?C) and four constant temperatures (15?C, 20?C, 25?C, and 30?C) in growth chambers. Sets of uniform fifty seeds were planted on two layers of blotter paper in 12-cm x 12-cm plastic germination boxes with four replications per treatment. Seeds receiving the stratified treatment were pre-chilled at 5?C for five days prior to being in a designated temperature chamber. Germination counts were conducted at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after temperature treatment began. Germination rate and speed over a range of temperatures and pre-treatment conditions between smooth bromegrass and western wheatgrass will be analyzed. This study will elucidate the mechanisms of competitive interactions between native and invasive grasses in response to the climate change. In addition, it will provide scientific-based knowledge for land managers to develop management strategies and tools to sustain resilience of prairie ecosystems under future climatic shifts.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.