REVEGETATING BURNED ARID LANDS Identifying Successful Native Species Using Trait and Competition Analysis Project Title: Revegetating Burned Arid Lands: Identifying Successful Native Species Using Trait and Competition Analysis Final Report: JFSP Project Number 07-1-3-24 Project Website: http://www.unlv.edu/staff/cengel/JFS.htm Principal Investigator: Dr. Scott R. Abella, Associate Research Professor, School of Environmental and Public Affairs, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-4030;
[email protected] Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Stanley D. Smith, Professor, School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-4004 Research Assistant: Donovan J. Craig, School of Environmental and Public Affairs, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-4030 Federal Cooperator: Alice C. Newton, Vegetation Management Specialist, National Park Service, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Boulder City, NV 89005 Additional Federal Collaborating Agency: Bureau of Land Management, Southern Nevada District, Las Vegas, NV This research was sponsored by the Joint Fire Science Program, executed through a cooperative agreement between the National Park Service (Lake Mead National Recreation Area) and the University of Nevada Las Vegas. For further information about the Joint Fire Science Program, go to www.firescience.gov I. Abstract Species selection can make the difference between successful revegetation projects and costly failures. Candidate native species for revegetating burned arid lands in the southwestern United States must meet at least two criteria. These species must: (1) be competitive in post- fire environments typically dominated by exotic grasses, and (2) be able to become established reliably by seeding or planting.