DOCSLIB.ORG

Journaf of Range 9Vfanagment

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Journaf of Range 9Vfanagment Journal of Range Management, Volume 56, Number 4 (July 2003) Item Type Journal; text DOI 10.2458/azu_jrm_v56i4_board Publisher Society for Range Management Journal Journal of Range Management Rights Copyright © Society for Range Management. Download date 10/10/2021 23:41:53 Item License http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Version Final published version Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/650599 Journaf of Range 9vfanagment TABLE OF CONTENTS: VOL. 56, NO. 4, July 2003 FEATURE ARTICLE 306 The economic logic of prescribed burning law and regulation by Jonathan Yoder, David M. Engle, Marcia Tilley, and Samuel Fuhlendorf Animal Ecology 314 Research Observation: Effects of rangeland ecological condition on scaled quail sightings by Jamus Joseph, Jerry L. Holechek, Raul Valdez, Michelle Collins, and Milt Thomas Grazing Management 319 Sustainability of Inner Mongolian Grasslands: Application of the Savanna Model by Lindsey Christensen, Michael B. Coughenour, James E. Ellis, and Zuozhong Chen 328 Utilization and grazing distribution of cattle at 4 stocking densities by Felix R. Burboa-Cabrera, Walter H. Schacht, and Bruce E. Anderson 334 Cattle distribution patterns and vegetation use in mountain riparian areas by Cory T. Parsons, Patrick A. Momont, Timothy DelCurto, Michael McInnis, and Marni L. Porath Hydrology 342 Impacts of tracked vehicles on sediment from a desert soil by Erek H. Fuchs, M. Karl Wood, Tim L. Jones, and Brent Racher Measurement/Sampling 353 Acute toxic plant estimation in grazing sheep ingesta and feces by Maria Silvia Cid, Tomas A. Lopez, Cristina Yagueddu, and Miguel A. Brizuela Plant/Animal 358 Ungulate herbivory on buckbrush in an Arizona ponderosa pine for- est by David W. Huffman and Margaret M. Moore 364 Perennial grass abundance along a grazing gradient in Mendoza, Argentina by Jorge M. Gonnet, Juan C. Guevara, and Oscar R. Estevez 370 Oxalate and tannins assessment in Agriplex halimus L. and A. num- mularia L. by M. MW. Abu-Zanat, F.M. Al-Hassanat, M. Alawi, and G.B. Ruyle Published bimonthly-January, March, May, July, Plant Physiology September, November 375 Defoliation impacts on Festuca campestrix (Rydb.) plants exposed to Copyright 2003 by the Society for Range Management wildfire by Amanda D. Bogen, Edward W. Bork, and Walter D. Willms Reclamation INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIPTION is by membership in the Society for Range Management. 381 Vegetation indices, CO2 flux, and biomass for Northern Plains LIBRARY or other INSTITUTIONAL SUBSCRIP- Grasslands by A. B. Frank and J.F. Karn TIONS on a calendar year basis are $140.00 for Soils the United States postpaid and $165.00 for other countries, postpaid. Payment from outside the 388 Restoring riparian corridors with fire: Effects on soil and vegetation United States should be remitted in US dollars by international money order or draft on a New York by Robert R. Blank, Jeanne C. Chambers, and Desiderio Zamudio bank. Book Reviews BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE, concerning subscriptions, advertising, reprints, back issues, and 397 Desert Puma: Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation of an Enduring related matters, should be addressed to the Carnivore by Kenneth A. Logan and Linda L. Sweanor; Water Managing Editor, 445 Union Blvd., Suite 230, Lakewood, Colorado 80228. Management in Islam edited by Naser I. Faruqui, Asit K. Biswa and Murad J. Bino EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE, concerning manuscripts or other editorial matters, should be addressed to the Editor, Gary Frasier, 7820 Stag Hollow Road, Loveland, Colorado 80538. Page proofs should be returned to the Production Editor, 3059A Hwy 92, Hotchkiss, CO 81419-9548.. INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS appear on the inside back cover of most issues. THE JOURNAL OF RANGE MANAGEMENT (ISSN 0022-409X) is published bimonthly for $56.00 per year by the Society for Range Management, 445 Union Blvd., Ste 230, Lakewood, Colorado 80228. PERIODICALS POSTAGE paid at Denver, Colorado and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Return entire journal with address change-Address Service Requested to Society for Range Management, 445 Union Blvd., Suite 230, Lakewood, Colorado 80228. PRINTED IN USA Editor-In-Chief Associate Editors HAFERKAMP H. RALPHS SAM ALBRECHT GERALD L. ANDERSON USDA-ARS USDA-ARS 445 Union Blvd., Ste 230 USDA-ARS Fort Keogh-LARRL Poisonous Plant Lab Lakewood, Colorado 80228 1500 N. Central Ave. 243 Fort Keogh Rd. E 1400 N (303) 986-3309 Sidney, Montana 59270 Miles City, Montana 59301 Logan, Utah 84341-2881 Fax: (303) 986-3892 e-mail address: R. JAMES ANSLEY ROBERT LYONS LARRY REDMON [email protected] Texas Agricultural Texas A&M University TAREC Editor/Copy Editor Experiment. Station Agricultural Research & P.O. Drawer E GARY FRASIER/JO FRASIER P.O. Box 1658 Extension Ctr. Overton, Texas 74684 7820 Stag Hollow Road Vernon, Texas 76385 P.O. Box 1849 Loveland, Colorado 80538 Uvalde, Texas 78802 NEIL RIMBEY University of Idaho e-mail address: KLAAS BROERSMA [email protected] 16952 S. 10th Ave. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ROBERT A. MASTERS Caldwell, Idaho 83607 Production Editor 3015 Ord Rd. Dow AgroSciences LLC PATTY RICH 3618 South 75th Street Kamloops , British Columbia HULL SIEG Society for Range Management Lincoln, Nebraska 68506 V2B 8A9 CANADA S.W. Science Complex 3059A Hwy 92 2500 South Pine Knoll Hotchkiss, 81419-9548 Colorado DAVID ELDRIDGE MITCHEL McCLARAN Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 e-mail address: Dept. Land and Water Conserv. University of Arizona [email protected] School of Geography 301 Biological Science East STEVE WARREN Book Review Editor University of New South Wales Tucson, Arizona 85721-0001 Colorado State University DAVID L. SCARNECCHIA Sydney, New South Wales Center for Environmental M. ANNE NAETH Dept of Natural Res. Sci. 2052 AUSTRALIA Management of Military Land University of Alberta Washington State University Dept. of Forestry Sciences Pullman, Washington 99164-6410 ROBERT GILLEN Dept. Renewable Resources Fort Collins , Colorado 80523 e-mail address: USDA-ARS 751 General Services Bldg. scarneda@ mail.wsu.edu Southern Plains Range Res. Sta. Edmonton, Alberta Electronic JRM Editor 200018th Street T6G 2H1 CANADA M. KEITH OWENS Woodward, Oklahoma 73801 Texas A&M University ROBERT PEARCE Research Center ELAINE E. GRINGS 5028 Highway 6 1619 Garner Field Road USDA-ARS Bishop, California 93514 Ulvade, Texas Fort Keogh-LARRL e-mail address: 243 Fort Keogh Rd. [email protected] Miles City, Montana 59301 THE SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT, founded in 1948 as the American Society of Range Management, is a nonprofit association incorporated under the laws of the State of Wyoming. It is recognized exempt from Federal income tax, as a scientific and educa- tional organization, under the provisions of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and also is classed as a public foundation as described in Section 509(a)(2) of the Code. The name of the President Society was changed in 1971 by amendment of the Articles of Incorporation. BOB BUDD The objectives for which the corporation is established are: Red Canyon Ranch 350 Red Canyon Rd -to properly take care of the basic rangeland resources of soil, plants, and water; Lander, Wyoming 82520-9417 1st Vice-President -to develop an understanding of range ecosystems and of the principles applicable to the MORT KOTHMANN management of range resources; Texas A&M University Dept. Rangeland Ecology & Mgt. -to assist all who work with range resources to keep abreast of new findings and College Station, Texas 77843-0001 techniques in the science and art of range management; 2nd Vice-President -to improve the effectiveness of range management to obtain from range resources the ANGELA WILLIAMS products and values necessaryfor man's welfare; USDA-NRCS RR 1 Box 108 -to create a public appreciation of the economic and social benefits to be obtained from Paolia, Oklahoma 73074-9772 the range environment; Executive Vice-President -to promote professional development of its members. SAM ALBRECHT 445 Union Blvd. Suite 230 Membership in the Society for Range Management is open to anyone engaged in or interested in Lakewood, Colorado 80228-1259 any aspect of the study, management, or use of rangelands. Please contact the Executive Vice- (303) 986-3309 President for details. Fax: (303) 986-3892 e-mail address: samalbrecht_rangelands.org Directors The Journal of Range Management is a publication of the Society for Range 2001-2003 Management. It serves as a forum for the presentation and discussion of facts, ideas, and philosophies JOHN TANAKA pertaining to the study, management, and use of rangelands and their several resources. Accordingly, all Eastern Oregon Agr. Res. Center-Union material published herein is signed and reflects the individual views of the authors and is not necessari- P.O. Box E ly an official position of the Society. Manuscripts from anyone-nonmembers as well as members-are Union, Oregon 97883 welcome and will be given every consideration by the editors. Editorial comments by an individual are GREG TEGART also welcome and, subject to acceptance by the editor, will be published as a "Viewpoint." BCMAFF In Cooperation With: Some of the articles appearing in The Journal of Range Management (JRM) 1690 Powick Rd, Suite 2000 are presented in cooperation with The American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC). This coopera- Kelowna, BC V 1 X 7G5 CANADA tion consists of JRM acceptance of professional papers in forage grazing management and related subject areas from AFGC members and the appointment of 2 AFGC affiliated associ- 2002-2004 ate editors to JRM's Editorial Staff. The American Forage and Grassland Council Offices: JOHN MALECHEK P.O. Box 94, Georgetown, Utah State University Texas 78627; Larry Jeffries, President; Dana Tucker, Executive Dept. of Rangeland Resources Secretary. UMC 5230 Respect for People's Rights, Dignity, Diversity. Members, employees, Logan, Utah 84322-0001 and and represen- tatives of the Society for Range Management respect the right, dignitty, and diversity all MARTIN VAVRA of people, and EOARC strive to eliminate bias in professional activities and discrimination such as, but not limited to, age, gen- HC 71 Box 451, Hwy 205 der, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or disability.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Vegetation Map of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, New
    ______________________________________________________________________________ A Vegetation Map of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico ______________________________________________________________________________ A Vegetation Map of Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico 1 Esteban Muldavin, Paul Neville, Charlie Jackson, and Teri Neville2 2006 ______________________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY To support the management and sustainability of the ecosystems of the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP), a map of current vegetation was developed. The map was based on aerial photography from 2000 and Landsat satellite imagery from 1999 and 2001, and was designed to serve natural resources management planning activities at an operational scale of 1:24,000. There are 20 map units distributed among forest, shrubland, grassland, and wetland ecosystems. Each map unit is defined in terms of a vegetation classification that was developed for the preserve based on 348 ground plots. An annotated legend is provided with details of vegetation composition, environment, and distribution of each unit in the preserve. Map sheets at 1:32,000 scale were produced, and a stand-alone geographic information system was constructed to house the digital version of the map. In addition, all supporting field data was compiled into a relational database for use by preserve managers. Cerro La Jarra in Valle Grande of the Valles Caldera National Preserve (Photo: E. Muldavin) 1 Final report submitted in April 4, 2006 in partial fulfillment of National Prak Service Award No. 1443-CA-1248- 01-001 and Valles Caldrea Trust Contract No. VCT-TO 0401. 2 Esteban Muldavin (Senior Ecologist), Charlie Jackson (Mapping Specialist), and Teri Neville (GIS Specialist) are with Natural Heritage New Mexico of the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico (UNM); Paul Neville is with the Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC) at UNM.
    [Show full text]
  • December 2012 Number 1
    Calochortiana December 2012 Number 1 December 2012 Number 1 CONTENTS Proceedings of the Fifth South- western Rare and Endangered Plant Conference Calochortiana, a new publication of the Utah Native Plant Society . 3 The Fifth Southwestern Rare and En- dangered Plant Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 2009 . 3 Abstracts of presentations and posters not submitted for the proceedings . 4 Southwestern cienegas: Rare habitats for endangered wetland plants. Robert Sivinski . 17 A new look at ranking plant rarity for conservation purposes, with an em- phasis on the flora of the American Southwest. John R. Spence . 25 The contribution of Cedar Breaks Na- tional Monument to the conservation of vascular plant diversity in Utah. Walter Fertig and Douglas N. Rey- nolds . 35 Studying the seed bank dynamics of rare plants. Susan Meyer . 46 East meets west: Rare desert Alliums in Arizona. John L. Anderson . 56 Calochortus nuttallii (Sego lily), Spatial patterns of endemic plant spe- state flower of Utah. By Kaye cies of the Colorado Plateau. Crystal Thorne. Krause . 63 Continued on page 2 Copyright 2012 Utah Native Plant Society. All Rights Reserved. Utah Native Plant Society Utah Native Plant Society, PO Box 520041, Salt Lake Copyright 2012 Utah Native Plant Society. All Rights City, Utah, 84152-0041. www.unps.org Reserved. Calochortiana is a publication of the Utah Native Plant Society, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organi- Editor: Walter Fertig ([email protected]), zation dedicated to conserving and promoting steward- Editorial Committee: Walter Fertig, Mindy Wheeler, ship of our native plants. Leila Shultz, and Susan Meyer CONTENTS, continued Biogeography of rare plants of the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada.
    [Show full text]
  • Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States Department of Agriculture United States Forest Service
    Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States Department of Agriculture United States Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Daniel G. Milchunas General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-169 April 2006 Milchunas, Daniel G. 2006. Responses of plant communities to grazing in the southwestern United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-169. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 126 p. Abstract Grazing by wild and domestic mammals can have small to large effects on plant communities, depend- ing on characteristics of the particular community and of the type and intensity of grazing. The broad objective of this report was to extensively review literature on the effects of grazing on 25 plant commu- nities of the southwestern U.S. in terms of plant species composition, aboveground primary productiv- ity, and root and soil attributes. Livestock grazing management and grazing systems are assessed, as are effects of small and large native mammals and feral species, when data are available. Emphasis is placed on the evolutionary history of grazing and productivity of the particular communities as deter- minants of response. After reviewing available studies for each community type, we compare changes in species composition with grazing among community types. Comparisons are also made between southwestern communities with a relatively short history of grazing and communities of the adjacent Great Plains with a long evolutionary history of grazing. Evidence for grazing as a factor in shifts from grasslands to shrublands is considered. An appendix outlines a new community classification system, which is followed in describing grazing impacts in prior sections.
    [Show full text]
  • PDF Handbook Download
    Navajo Nation Range Management . Handbook .~/ ·- .!-.:., ~~,-;--... ·-... r#~/ Frank Parrill Range Conservationist Navajo Tribe Window Rock, Arizona Allan H Blacksheep, Jr. Agricultural Extension Agent The University of Arizona Ft. Defiance, Arizona Cooperative Extension Service The University of Arizona T81104 Needle-and-threadgrass Stipa comata Atsábik’a’ítł’oh This handbook is dedicated to the memory of Alex Tsosie, Soil Conservationist with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Window Rock. Alex had a deep love for his Navajo land and its livestock. He had the desire to both improve the future of his land and to stay close to the culture of his ancestors. His dedication to the care of the lands will always be an inspiration to those of us who knew and worked with him. Alex, we are glad that you passed among us. May your moccasins always walk in the soft green grass and may you never thirst for cool, clear water. Amen. The Navajo Nation Range Management Handbook has been developed through the efforts of many individuals. The original manuscript was drafted by Frank Parrill, range conservationist for the Navajo tribe, Window Rock, Arizona. Special acknowledgment is due to Joanne Manygoats, range technician for the tribe, who provided valuable assistance in supplying Navajo names for the plants listed in the publication and proofreading the type. Leo Beno, also a range conservationist for the tribe, served as technical consultant. At The University of Arizona, Dr. David Bryant, Extension range management specialist and professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, critically reviewed the preliminary manuscript and provided valuable experience and practical insights that are incorporated in the publication.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Plants for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
    Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Plant Checklist DRAFT as of 29 November 2005 FERNS AND FERN ALLIES Equisetaceae (Horsetail Family) Vascular Plant Equisetales Equisetaceae Equisetum arvense Present in Park Rare Native Field horsetail Vascular Plant Equisetales Equisetaceae Equisetum laevigatum Present in Park Unknown Native Scouring-rush Polypodiaceae (Fern Family) Vascular Plant Polypodiales Dryopteridaceae Cystopteris fragilis Present in Park Uncommon Native Brittle bladderfern Vascular Plant Polypodiales Dryopteridaceae Woodsia oregana Present in Park Uncommon Native Oregon woodsia Pteridaceae (Maidenhair Fern Family) Vascular Plant Polypodiales Pteridaceae Argyrochosma fendleri Present in Park Unknown Native Zigzag fern Vascular Plant Polypodiales Pteridaceae Cheilanthes feei Present in Park Uncommon Native Slender lip fern Vascular Plant Polypodiales Pteridaceae Cryptogramma acrostichoides Present in Park Unknown Native American rockbrake Selaginellaceae (Spikemoss Family) Vascular Plant Selaginellales Selaginellaceae Selaginella densa Present in Park Rare Native Lesser spikemoss Vascular Plant Selaginellales Selaginellaceae Selaginella weatherbiana Present in Park Unknown Native Weatherby's clubmoss CONIFERS Cupressaceae (Cypress family) Vascular Plant Pinales Cupressaceae Juniperus scopulorum Present in Park Unknown Native Rocky Mountain juniper Pinaceae (Pine Family) Vascular Plant Pinales Pinaceae Abies concolor var. concolor Present in Park Rare Native White fir Vascular Plant Pinales Pinaceae Abies lasiocarpa Present
    [Show full text]
  • Differentiation of Archaeological Maize (Zea Mays L.) from Native Wild Grasses Based on Starch Grain Morphology
    Accepted Manuscript Differentiation of archaeological Maize (Zea mays L.) from native wild grasses based on starch grain morphology. Cases from the Central Pampas of Argentina María Gabriela Musaubach, Anabela Plos, María Del Pilar Babot PII: S0305-4403(12)00428-1 DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2012.09.026 Reference: YJASC 3440 To appear in: Journal of Archaeological Science Received Date: 26 May 2012 Revised Date: 19 September 2012 Accepted Date: 20 September 2012 Please cite this article as: Musaubach, M.G., Plos, A., Del Pilar Babot, M., Differentiation of archaeological Maize (Zea mays L.) from native wild grasses based on starch grain morphology. Cases from the Central Pampas of Argentina, Journal of Archaeological Science (2012), doi: 10.1016/ j.jas.2012.09.026. This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Differentiation of archaeological Maize (Zea mays L.) from native wild grasses based on starch grain morphology. Cases from the Central Pampas of Argentina MARÍA GABRIELA MUSAUBACHa,*, ANABELA PLOSb, MARÍA DEL PILAR BABOT c. a Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Museo Etnográfico J. B. Ambrosetti. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Moreno 350, (1091).
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution of Grasses and Grasslands in South America
    TAXON 24(I): 53-66. FEBRUARY 1975 EVOLUTION OF GRASSESAND GRASSLANDS IN SOUTH AMERICA Arturo Burkart* Summary This is a discussion of the South American grasslands from the standpoint of their evolution and composition. The tribes are considered in relation to climate, and grasses are classified as mega-, meso-, or microthermic with respect to their temperature requirements. The principal grassland regions are three: (A) Tropical and Subtropical, which include the Llanos of the Orinoco River system and the Campos Cerrados of Central Brazil; (B) Temperate, including the Pampa of Argentina and the Campos of Uruguay; and (C) Cold Country Grasslands, which are the Steppes of the high Andes and Patagonia, and also the Pairamos of Colombia and Ecuador. Some attention is given to the floristic composition of each of these regions. The subject of endemism is dealt with, as well as the problem of disjunct distribution. Included is a discussion of changes brought about by agriculture and ranching in historic times, and what may be expected in the future. INTRODUCTION The Gramineae, with about 6oo genera and some 6ooo species, is one of the largest families of flowering plants. It is a truly cosmopolitan group, and remarkable because of the capacity of its members to form the domi- nant vegetation over large areas of the earth's surface. The terms steppes, savannas, prairies, pusztas, campos or pampas all refer to vegetation types in which grasses are dominant. To quote Ronald Good (1953; p. 53) "Pride of place must certainly go to the Gramineae . ., the great family ... Not only do the grasses reach to the furthest land in the north and to the borders of Antarctica in the south, but their degree of distribution is usually particularly complete and continuous.
    [Show full text]
  • New Mexico Range Plants
    New Mexico Range Plants Circular 374 Revised by Christopher D. Allison and Nick Ashcroft1 Cooperative Extension Service • College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences New Mexico contains almost 78 million acres, more than 90 percent of which is in native vegetation grazed by domestic livestock and wildlife. The kinds of plants that grow on a range, along with their quality and quan- tity, determine its value. A successful rancher knows the plants on his or her range. There are more than 3,000 species of plants in New Mexico. The 85 discussed here are most important to the livestock industry. Most of these are native plants. RANGELAND AREAS OF NEW MEXICO Figure 1 represents the major rangeland areas in New Mexico. The northern desert, western plateau, and high valley areas are enough alike to be described together, as are the central and high plains areas and the southern desert and basin. Southern Desert and Basin 36 - New Mexico and Arizona Plateaus and Mesas 37 - San Juan River Valley, mesas and Plateaus The southern desert and basin occupies much of south- 39 - Arizona and New Mexico Mountains 41 - Southeastern Arizona Basin and Range 42 - Southern Desertic Basins, Plains and Mountains ern New Mexico at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 48 - Southern Rocky Mountains 51 - High Intermountain Valleys feet. This area follows the Rio Grande north into the 70 - Pecos/Canadian Plains and Valleys southern part of Sandoval County. 77 - Southern High Plains Some of the most common plants are creosote bush (Larrea tridentata [DC.] Coville), mesquite (Prosopis Figure 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Fort Valley Experimental Forest—A Century of Research 1908-2008
    Understanding Ponderosa Pine Forest-Grassland Vegetation Dynamics at Fort Valley Experimental Forest Using Phytolith Analysis Becky K. Kerns, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, OR; Margaret M. Moore and Stephen C. Hart, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ Abstract—In the last century, ponderosa pine forests in the Southwest have changed from more open park-like stands of older trees to denser stands of younger, small- diameter trees. Considerable information exists regarding ponderosa pine forest fire history and recent shifts in stand structure and composition, yet quantitative studies investigating understory reference conditions are lacking. We developed and applied an approach using phytoliths to understand forest-grassland vegetation dynamics and historical conditions. Phytoliths are particles of hydrated silica that form in the cells of living plants that are often morphologically distinct. Upon plant death and decay, the stable silica remains in the soil. Soil phytoliths are a useful tool to examine the vegetation history of an area. We created and published a phytolith reference col- lection, including a previously undescribed diagnostic phytolith for ponderosa pine, examined relationships between contemporary vegetation and surface soil phytolith assemblages using a phytolith classification system, and used phytoliths to explore forest-grassland vegetation dynamics. Results indicate that soil phytolith assemblages reflect long-term accumulation of organic matter in soils, and do not mirror con- temporary vegetation at the scale of several meters, but rather several kilometers. Our data suggest that in the past, some C4 (warm-season) grasses were more widely distributed but less abundant, grasses were more spatially continuous, total grass production was greater, and some species (Koeleria sp.
    [Show full text]
  • Jeffrey James Keeling Sul Ross State University Box C-64 Alpine, Texas 79832-0001, U.S.A
    AN ANNOTATED VASCULAR FLORA AND FLORISTIC ANALYSIS OF THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE NATURE CONSERVANCY DAVIS MOUNTAINS PRESERVE, JEFF DAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. Jeffrey James Keeling Sul Ross State University Box C-64 Alpine, Texas 79832-0001, U.S.A. [email protected] ABSTRACT The Nature Conservancy Davis Mountains Preserve (DMP) is located 24.9 mi (40 km) northwest of Fort Davis, Texas, in the northeastern region of the Chihuahuan Desert and consists of some of the most complex topography of the Davis Mountains, including their summit, Mount Livermore, at 8378 ft (2554 m). The cool, temperate, “sky island” ecosystem caters to the requirements that are needed to accommo- date a wide range of unique diversity, endemism, and vegetation patterns, including desert grasslands and montane savannahs. The current study began in May of 2011 and aimed to catalogue the entire vascular flora of the 18,360 acres of Nature Conservancy property south of Highway 118 and directly surrounding Mount Livermore. Previous botanical investigations are presented, as well as biogeographic relation- ships of the flora. The numbers from herbaria searches and from the recent field collections combine to a total of 2,153 voucher specimens, representing 483 species and infraspecies, 288 genera, and 87 families. The best-represented families are Asteraceae (89 species, 18.4% of the total flora), Poaceae (76 species, 15.7% of the total flora), and Fabaceae (21 species, 4.3% of the total flora). The current study represents a 25.44% increase in vouchered specimens and a 9.7% increase in known species from the study area’s 18,360 acres and describes four en- demic and fourteen non-native species (four invasive) on the property.
    [Show full text]
  • A Classification of the Chloridoideae (Poaceae)
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55 (2010) 580–598 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev A classification of the Chloridoideae (Poaceae) based on multi-gene phylogenetic trees Paul M. Peterson a,*, Konstantin Romaschenko a,b, Gabriel Johnson c a Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013, USA b Botanic Institute of Barcelona (CSICÀICUB), Pg. del Migdia, s.n., 08038 Barcelona, Spain c Department of Botany and Laboratories of Analytical Biology, Smithsonian Institution, Suitland, MD 20746, USA article info abstract Article history: We conducted a molecular phylogenetic study of the subfamily Chloridoideae using six plastid DNA Received 29 July 2009 sequences (ndhA intron, ndhF, rps16-trnK, rps16 intron, rps3, and rpl32-trnL) and a single nuclear ITS Revised 31 December 2009 DNA sequence. Our large original data set includes 246 species (17.3%) representing 95 genera (66%) Accepted 19 January 2010 of the grasses currently placed in the Chloridoideae. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis of Available online 22 January 2010 DNA sequences provides strong support for the monophyly of the Chloridoideae; followed by, in order of divergence: a Triraphideae clade with Neyraudia sister to Triraphis; an Eragrostideae clade with the Keywords: Cotteinae (includes Cottea and Enneapogon) sister to the Uniolinae (includes Entoplocamia, Tetrachne, Biogeography and Uniola), and a terminal Eragrostidinae clade of Ectrosia, Harpachne, and Psammagrostis embedded Classification Chloridoideae in a polyphyletic Eragrostis; a Zoysieae clade with Urochondra sister to a Zoysiinae (Zoysia) clade, and a Grasses terminal Sporobolinae clade that includes Spartina, Calamovilfa, Pogoneura, and Crypsis embedded in a Molecular systematics polyphyletic Sporobolus; and a very large terminal Cynodonteae clade that includes 13 monophyletic sub- Phylogenetic trees tribes.
    [Show full text]
  • Annotated Checklist of the Vascular Plant Flora of Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Phase II Report
    Annotated Checklist of the Vascular Plant Flora of Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Phase II Report By Dr. Terri Hildebrand Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT and Dr. Walter Fertig Moenave Botanical Consulting, Kanab, UT Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit Agreement # H1200-09-0005 1 May 2012 Prepared for Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Southern Utah University National Park Service Mojave Network TABLE OF CONTENTS Page # Introduction . 4 Study Area . 6 History and Setting . 6 Geology and Associated Ecoregions . 6 Soils and Climate . 7 Vegetation . 10 Previous Botanical Studies . 11 Methods . 17 Results . 21 Discussion . 28 Conclusions . 32 Acknowledgments . 33 Literature Cited . 34 Figures Figure 1. Location of Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in northern Arizona . 5 Figure 2. Ecoregions and 2010-2011 collection sites in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in northern Arizona . 8 Figure 3. Soil types and 2010-2011 collection sites in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in northern Arizona . 9 Figure 4. Increase in the number of plant taxa confirmed as present in Grand Canyon- Parashant National Monument by decade, 1900-2011 . 13 Figure 5. Southern Utah University students enrolled in the 2010 Plant Anatomy and Diversity course that collected during the 30 August 2010 experiential learning event . 18 Figure 6. 2010-2011 collection sites and transportation routes in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in northern Arizona . 22 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page # Tables Table 1. Chronology of plant-collecting efforts at Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument . 14 Table 2. Data fields in the annotated checklist of the flora of Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (Appendices A, B, C, and D) .
    [Show full text]