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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Reno, Nevada » Great Basin Rangelands Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #329018
Research Project: Integrating Ecological Process Knowledge into Effective Management of Invasive Plants in Great Basin Rangelands

Location: Great Basin Rangelands Research

Title: Impacts of pinyon and juniper control on ecosystems processes in the Porter Canyon Experimental Watershed

Author
item Snyder, Keirith

Submitted to: Electronic Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2015
Publication Date: 11/10/2015
Citation: Snyder, K.A. 2015. Impacts of pinyon and juniper control on ecosystems processes in the Porter Canyon Experimental Watershed. Electronic Publication. Available: http//greatbasinlcc.org/2015-webinar-series.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The opportunistic encroachment of native pinyon and juniper trees into areas formerly dominated by sagebrush has reduced the presence of shrubs and grasses, impacting critical habitat and forage availability. Pinyon and juniper currently occupy 19 million ha in the Intermountain West and prior to 1860 it is estimated that 2/3 of PJ woodlands were sagebrush communities. This presentation will give an overview of the Porter Canyon Experimental Watershed, where tree-felling treatments are being studied. Porter Canyon is located in central Nevada in the Desatoya Mountains and a network of sensors has been installed to measure hydrologic and vegetation responses. The effects of tree presence vs. absence on the components of the water budget will be addressed.