ARS | Publication request: Integrating Weed Management and Restoration on Western Rangelands

Submitted to: Ecological Restoration
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2006
Publication Date: September 15, 2006
Citation: Allcock, K., Nowak, R., Blank, R.R., Jones, T.A., Monaco, T.A., Chambers, J., Tausch, R., Doescher, P., Saytal, V., Tanaka, J., Ogle, D., St John, L., Pellant, M., Pyke, D.A., Schupp, E.W., Call, C.A. 2006. Integrating Weed Management and Restoration on Western Rangelands. Ecological Restoration. 24:199.

Interpretive Summary: In 2003, we began experiments to control cheatgrass and restore native species on Great Basin Rangelands. Experiments, which tested transitional species and functional groups on restoration, were established at eight sites in Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. After two years of trials, accessions of bluebunch wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, and Snake River wheatgrass showed promise as transitional communities. Moreover, immobilization of soil N using sucrose greatly reduced cheatgrass biomass and density.

Technical Abstract: In 2003, we began experiments to control cheatgrass and restore native species on Great Basin Rangelands. Experiments, which tested transitional species and functional groups on restoration, were established at eight sites in Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. After two years of trials, accessions of bluebunch wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, and Snake River wheatgrass showed promise as transitional communities. Moreover, immobilization of soil N using sucrose greatly reduced cheatgrass biomass and density.