Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » People & Locations » Rory O'Connor
Rory O'Connor
Range and Meadow Forage Management Research
Research Ecologist

Phone: (541) 573-8943
Fax:

(Employee information on this page comes from the REE Directory. Please contact your front office staff to update the REE Directory.)

Projects
Sagebrush Rangeland Conservation and Restoration
In-House Appropriated (D)
  Accession Number: 445713
Precision Management Technologies for Rangeland Agricultural Systems
Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)
  Accession Number: 440763

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
Variation in reproductive photosynthetic compensation of distinct germplasm varieties of a native rangeland grass, Pseudoroegneria spicata, following floral defoliation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
The carbon security index: A novel approach to assessing how secure carbon is in sagebrush ecosystems within the Great Basin Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Connor, R.C., Boyd, C.S., Naugle, D.E., Smith, J.T. 2024. The carbon security index: A novel approach to assessing how secure carbon is in sagebrush ecosystems within the Great Basin. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 97:169-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2024.08.005.
State of the sagebrush: Implementing the sagebrush conservation design to save a biome Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Doherty, K.E., Maestas, J.D., Remington, T.E., Naugle, D.E., Boyd, C.S., Wiechman, L.A., Bedrosian, G., Cahill, M., Coates, P.S., Crist, M.R., Holdrege, M.C., Kumar, A.V., Mozelewski, T.G., O'Connor, R.C., Olimpi, E.M., Olson, A.C., Prochazka, B.G., Reinhardt, J.R., Smith, J.T., Sparklin, W.D., Theobald, D.M., Wollstein, K.L. 2024. State of the sagebrush: Implementing the sagebrush conservation design to save a biome. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 97:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2024.08.017.
Effects of dormant season and contemporary spring-summer grazing on vegetation in the sagebrush ecosystem - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Contrasts and commonalities in compensatory reproductive photosynthesis between exotic and native sagebrush steppe perennial bunchgrasses - (Abstract Only)
Evaluation of blood markers of stress in beef cows during exposure to virtual fence stimuli - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Repeated clearing as a mechanism for savanna recovery following bush encroachment Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wedel, E.R., Nippert, J.B., O'Connor, R.C., Nkuna, P., Swemmer, A.M. 2024. Repeated clearing as a mechanism for savanna recovery following bush encroachment. Journal of Applied Ecology. 61(7):1520-1530. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14666.
Photosynthetic resilience of Elymus elymoides and Pseudoroegneria spicata seedlings following acute water stress Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Connor, R.C., Fox, V.G., Hamerlynck, E.P. 2024. Photosynthetic resilience of Elymus elymoides and Pseudoroegneria spicata seedlings following acute water stress. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 94:195-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2024.03.012.
What’s in a name? Standardizing terminology for the enhancement of research, extension, and industry applications of virtual fence use on grazing livestock Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehlert, K., Brennan, J., Beard, J., Reuter, R., Menendez, H., Vandermark, L., Stephenson, M., Hoag, D., Meiman, P., O'Connor, R.C., Noelle, S. 2024. What’s in a name? Standardizing terminology for the enhancement of research, extension, and industry applications of virtual fence use on grazing livestock. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 94:199-206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2024.03.004.
A brief history of sagebrush management in the Great Basin: From removal to reduction and beyond Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Harris, T., Johnson, D.D., O'Connor, R.C. 2024. A brief history of sagebrush management in the Great Basin: From removal to reduction and beyond. Rangelands. 46(3):63-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2024.01.002.
Extreme drought impacts have been underestimated in grasslands and shrublands globally Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Smith, M.D., Wilkins, K.D., Holdrege, M.C., Wilfahrt, P., Collins, S.L., Knapp, A.K., Sala, O.E., Dukes, J.S., Phillips, R.P., Yahdjian, L., Gherardi, L.A., Ohlert, T., Beier, C., Fraser, L.H., Jentsch, A., Loik, M.E., Maestre, F.T., Power, S.A., Yu, Q., Felton, A.J., Larson, J.J., O'Connor, R.C., Zuo, X., et al. 2024. Extreme drought impacts have been underestimated in grasslands and shrublands globally. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). 121(4). Article e2309881120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2309881120.
Rangeland ecosystem services: Connecting nature and people. A Society of Range Management Task Force Report - (Research Technical Update)
Goodwin, J., Porensky, L.M., Meiman, P., Wilmer, H.N., Derner, J.D., Iovanna, R., Monlezun, A.C., Vandever, M., Griggs, J., O'Connor, R.C. 2023. Rangeland ecosystem services: Connecting nature and people. A Society of Range Management Task Force Report. Society for Range Management. Rangeland Ecosystem Services.
Reproductive compensatory photosynthesis in a semi-arid rangeland bunchgrass Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hamerlynck, E.P., O'Connor, R.C., Copeland, S.M. 2023. Reproductive compensatory photosynthesis in a semi-arid rangeland bunchgrass. Oecologia. 201:625-635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-023-05341-w.
Elevated CO2 counteracts effects of water stress on woody rangeland-encroaching species Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Connor, R.C., Blumenthal, D.M., Ocheltree, T.W., Nippert, J.B. 2022. Elevated CO2 counteracts effects of water stress on woody rangeland-encroaching species. Tree Physiology. Article tpac150. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpac150.
Using plant physiology to determine drought resistance and resilience in rangeland bunchgrasses - (Abstract Only)
O'Connor, R.C., Hamerlynck, E.P. 2022. Using plant physiology to determine drought resistance and resilience in rangeland bunchgrasses [abstract]. Society for Range Management. Paper No. 813736.
Using virtual fencing to create fuel breaks in the sagebrush steppe Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Boyd, C.S., O'Connor, R.C., Ranches, J., Bohnert, D.W., Bates, J.D., Johnson, D.D., Davies, K.W., Parker, T., Doherty, K.E. 2022. Using virtual fencing to create fuel breaks in the sagebrush steppe. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 89:87-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2022.07.006.
What does it take to restore mesic grasslands from woody encroachment? - (Abstract Only)
O'Connor, R.C., Wedel, E., Nippert, J.B., Wilcox, K., Komatsu, K., Avolio, M. 2022. What does it take to restore mesic grasslands from woody encroachment? [abstract]. Ecological Society of America. Paper No. 1149082.
Managing invasive annual grasses, annually: A case for more case studies Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Schroeder, V.M., Johnson, D.D., O'Connor, R.C., Crouch, C., Dragt, W.J., Quicke, H.E., Silva, L., Wood, D.J. 2022. Managing invasive annual grasses, annually: A case for more case studies. Rangelands. 44(3):210-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2022.01.002.
Virtual fencing effectively excludes cattle from burned sagebrush steppe Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Boyd, C.S., O'Connor, R.C., Ranches, J., Bohnert, D.W., Bates, J.D., Johnson, D.D., Davies, K.W., Parker, T., Doherty, K.E. 2022. Virtual fencing effectively excludes cattle from burned sagebrush steppe. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 81:55-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2022.01.001.
Ratcheting up resilience in the northern Great Basin Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Johnson, D., Boyd, C.S., O'Connor, R.C., Smith, D. 2022. Ratcheting up resilience in the northern Great Basin. Rangelands. 44(3):200-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2021.12.009.
Photochemical performance of reproductive structures in Great Basin bunchgrasses in response to soil-water availability Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hamerlynck, E.P., O'Connor, R.C. 2021. Photochemical performance of reproductive structures in Great Basin bunchgrasses in response to soil-water availability. AoB Plants. 14(1). Article plab076. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plab076.
Are drought indices and climate data good indicators of ecologically relevant soil moisture dynamics in drylands? Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Barnard, D.M., Germino, M.J., Bradford, J.B., O'Connor, R.C., Andrews, C.M., Shriver, R.K. 2021. Are climate data and drought indices good indicators of ecologically relevant soil moisture dynamics in drylands? Ecological Indicators. 133. Article e108379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.108379.
Effects of virtual fence monitored by global positioning system on beef cattle behavior Reprint Icon - (Proceedings)
Ranches, J., O'Connor, R.C., Johnson, D., Davies, K.W., Bates, J.D., Boyd, C.S., Bohnert, D.W., Parker, T. 2021. Effects of virtual fence monitored by global positioning system on beef cattle behavior. Translational Animal Science. 5(S1):S144-S148. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txab161.
Poor relationships between NEON Airborne Observation Platform data and field-based vegetation traits at a mesic grassland Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pau, S., Nippert, J.B., Slapikas, R., Griffith, D., Bachle, S., Helliker, B.R., O'Connor, R.C., Riley, W.J., Still, C.J., Zaricor, M. 2021. Poor relationships between NEON Airborne Observation Platform data and field-based vegetation traits at a mesic grassland. Ecology. 103(2). Article e03590. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3590.
Dormant-season moderate grazing prefire maintains diversity and reduces exotic annual grass response postfire in imperiled Artemisia steppe Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Davies, K.W., Bates, J.D., Boyd, C.S., O'Connor, R.C., Copeland, S.M. 2021. Dormant-season moderate grazing prefire maintains diversity and reduces exotic annual grass response postfire in imperiled Artemisia steppe. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 79:91-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.08.002.
Spatio-temporal differences in leaf physiology are associated with fire, not drought, in a clonally integrated shrub Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wedel, E.R., O'Keefe, K., Nippert, J.B., Hoch, B., O'Connor, R.C. 2021. Spatio-temporal differences in leaf physiology are associated with fire, not drought, in a clonally integrated shrub. AoB Plants. 13(4). Article plab037. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plab037.
Is a prescribed fire sufficient to slow the spread of woody plants in an infrequently burned grassland? A case study in tallgrass prairie Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Nippert, J.B., Telleria, L., Blackmore, P., Taylor, J.H., O'Connor, R.C. 2021. Is a prescribed fire sufficient to slow the spread of woody plants in an infrequently burned grassland? A case study in tallgrass prairie. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 78:79-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.05.007.
An assessment of seed head and flag leaf contributions to reproductive effort in sagebrush steppe bunchgrasses Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hamerlynck, E.P., O'Connor, R.C. 2021. An assessment of seed head and flag leaf contributions to reproductive effort in sagebrush steppe bunchgrasses. Journal of Arid Environments. 187. Article 104442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2021.104442.
Carbon dynamics of six ecological states in the sagebrush steppe of the Great Basin - (Abstract Only)
O'Connor, R.C., Fox, V.G., Olsen, A., Badik, K., Svejcar, T., Boyd, C.S. 2021. Carbon dynamics of six ecological states in the sagebrush steppe of the Great Basin. Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts. Abstract.
Spatial variation in soil microbial processes as a result of woody encroachment depends on shrub size in tallgrass prairie Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Connell, R.K., O'Connor, R.C., Nippert, J.B., Blair, J.M. 2021. Spatial variation in soil microbial processes as a result of woody encroachment depends on shrub size in tallgrass prairie. Plant and Soil. 460:359-373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-020-04813-9.
Long-term evaluation of restoring understories in Wyoming big sagebrush communities with mowing and seeding native bunchgrasses Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Davies, K.W., Bates, J.D., O'Connor, R.C. 2021. Long-term evaluation of restoring understories in Wyoming big sagebrush communities with mowing and seeding native bunchgrasses. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 75:81-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2020.12.008.
Comment on: Grazing disturbance promotes exotic annual grasses by degrading soil biocrust communities Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Connor, R.C., Germino, M.J. 2020. Comment on: Grazing disturbance promotes exotic annual grasses by degrading soil biocrust communities. Ecological Applications. 31(7). Article e02277. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2277.