OOS 27 - Exotic Brome-Grasses in Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems: Causes, Consequences and Management Implications

Thursday, August 11, 2016: 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
Grand Floridian Blrm E, Ft Lauderdale Convention Center
Organizer:
Jeanne Chambers, USDA Forest Service
Co-organizers:
Matthew J. Germino, US Geological Survey; and Cynthia S. Brown, Colorado State University
Moderator:
Edith B. Allen, University of California Riverside
Invasive annual grasses are one of the primary causes of conversion to novel ecosystems in the arid and semi-arid regions of the western US and are increasingly a global threat. In this Organized Oral Session, we focus on exotic brome-grasses which are among the most widespread and abundant, and thus best studied, invasive grasses. The presentations provide key analyses and information on the causes, consequences, and management alternatives for the most problematic of these species. Highlighted information follows. Invasion of exotic brome-grasses is typically initiated by anthropogenic disturbances related to land uses, like overgrazing by livestock, and development, such as urban expansion, oil and gas drilling, mining, and their related infrastructure. Importantly, land use and invasive species policies also play a significant role. Individual species differ across these large landscapes and species affinities are related to climatic suitability and soil characteristics. However, the ultimate expression of these exotic brome-grasses is related to ecosystem resistance to invasion, which is a function not only of environmental suitability but also of biotic interactions such as competition. Ongoing climate change is influencing ecosystem resistance and may ultimately result in a second generation of novel ecosystems dominated by different invaders. Due to the annual life form of many of these invaders, genetic adaptation may occur rapidly and can influence invasiveness and impacts. Consequences of invasion are dramatic influencing a suite of ecosystem processes ranging from altered disturbance regimes to changes in water storage, carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling. Notably, invasion of annual brome-grasses increases amount and continuity of fine fuels in these arid and semi-arid ecosystems resulting in annual grass/fire cycles that decrease the capacity of longer-lived perennial natives to reestablish and favor annual bromes. Conversion to brome-grass dominance is placing numerous native species at risk, such as Greater Sage-Grouse, and threatening ecosystem services such as livestock forage, hunting and recreation, and even clean air and water. Viable approaches for restoring and maintaining native ecosystems have been developed, but the task becomes increasingly difficult with increases in either invasive grass dominance or aridity. Understanding human attitudes about novel ecosystems and the economic trade-offs is an essential part of restoring and maintaining native ecosystems.
8:00 AM
 Annual Bromus invasions in the western United States: Comparisons among species and ecoregions
Matthew L. Brooks, U.S. Geological Survey; Cynthia S. Brown, Colorado State University; Jeanne C. Chambers, USDA Forest Service; Carla M. D'Antonio, University of California Santa Barbara; Jon E. Keeley, U.S. Geological Survey; Jayne Belnap, U.S. Geological Survey
8:20 AM
 Ecosystem impacts of invasive annual brome grasses
Eugene W. Schupp, Utah State University; Matthew J. Germino, US Geological Survey; John M. Stark, Utah State University; Edith B. Allen, University of California, Riverside; Jayne Belnap, U.S. Geological Survey; Benjamin M. Rau, US Forest Service
8:40 AM
 Consequences of annual brome invasion on carbon fluxes and storage
Benjamin M. Rau, US Forest Service; Bethany A. Bradley, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; James McIver, Oregon State University; David A. Pyke, U.S. Geological Survey; Bruce A. Roundy, Brigham Young University; Eugene W. Schupp, Utah State University; Kert R. Young, Brigham Young University
9:00 AM
 Effects of climate, resource availability, and plant community interactions on resistance to annual brome-grass invasion
Jeanne C. Chambers, USDA Forest Service; Matthew J. Germino, US Geological Survey; Bethany A. Bradley, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Jayne Belnap, U.S. Geological Survey; Cynthia S. Brown, Colorado State University; Caroline A. Curtis, University of Massachusetts; Eugene W. Schupp, Utah State University; Samuel B. St Clair, Brigham Young University
9:20 AM
 Adaptation and invasiveness in annual brome-grasses
Rebecca Hufft, Denver Botanic Gardens; Tamara J. Zelikova, University of Wyoming; Sheryl Y. Atkinson, Colorado State University; Cynthia S. Brown, Colorado State University; Richard N. Mack, Washington State University; Stephen J. Novak, Boise State University
9:40 AM
9:50 AM
 Beliefs, attitudes, and behavior change strategies toward the management of exotic Bromus grasses
Mark W. Brunson, Utah State University; Rebecca Epanchin-Niell, Resources for the Future
10:10 AM
 Economics of invasive annual grass management on western U.S. rangelands
Rebecca Epanchin-Niell, Resources for the Future; Michael H. Taylor, University of Nevada, Reno; Kimberly Rollins, University of Nevada, Reno; Mark Eiswerth, University of Northern Colorado
10:30 AM
 Land uses, policy, and invasion by annual brome-grasses: Historical and contemporary perspectives
David A. Pyke, U.S. Geological Survey; Jeanne C. Chambers, USDA Forest Service; Jeffrey L. Beck, University of Wyoming; Matthew L. Brooks, U.S. Geological Survey; Brian A. Mealor, University of Wyoming
10:50 AM
 Using state and transition simulation models to consider complex forcing in ecological analysis to support land management decisions
Jeffrey T. Morisette, U.S. Geological Survey; Brian W. Miller, DOI North Central Climate Science Center; Catherine S. Jarnevich, U.S. Geological Survey
11:10 AM
 Application of ecological principles for successful prevention, management, and mitigation of annual Bromus invasions in novel environments
Cynthia S. Brown, Colorado State University; Thomas A. Monaco, USDA Agricultural Research Service; Stuart P. Hardegree, USDA-ARS Northwest Watershed Research Center; Mike Pellant, Bureau of Land Management