Rangeland Ecology & Management

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NATIVES OR NONNATIVES FOR RESTORATION, GOOD OR BAD, OUR 2006 BUCKSKIN FIRE EXPERIENCE
Author
Miller, Zoe M.
Taylor, Mary
Kachergis, Emily
Stauffer, Nelson G.
Mccord, Sarah E.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2014
Body

Following the June 6, 2006 Buckskin Fire, a multi-agency effort was initiated to rehabilitate and protect the 1,400 acres of prime mule deer habitat that had burned.  This group included the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Cedar City BLM District, and GSENM staff.  To maximize success of the restoration effort a mix of native and non-native species was applied to the burn area. This was followed by chaining of the burned and dead trees and aerial application of additional seed including forage kochia (Kochia prostrata). This multi scale effort   allowed the GSENM the opportunity to study, in situ, the changes and fluctuations of different classes and types of vegetation over long term conditions.  Four monitoring sites were established in mid-July 2006, just after the burn but prior to chaining.  Data at the plots have been collected annually since 2006.  The results show establishment of native non-seeded and seeded species took longer to occur.  Kochia prostrata, has not expanded as predicted but became established on the site the following spring. Timing of precipitation appeared to be a factor in the success of plant establishment in 2007. The information collected may also help in determining possible effects of climate change.  Monitoring and data collection will continue into 2015.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Orlando, FL