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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Genetic Structure Of Pseudoroegneria Spicata In The Northern Palouse Prairie And Channeled Scablands, Ethan Timothy Bean
Genetic Structure Of Pseudoroegneria Spicata In The Northern Palouse Prairie And Channeled Scablands, Ethan Timothy Bean
EWU Masters Thesis Collection
Establishing genetically diverse communities that can adapt to dynamic selective pressures is crucial in ecological restoration. However, the genetic structure of native plant species used for restoration is often poorly understood. Pseudoroegneria spicata, is a keystone species of the Inland Northwestern US that has become a staple in commercially available restoration seed mixes. It is abundant in remnant prairies of the endangered Palouse Prairie ecoregion, which is characterized by rolling hills of deep loess soil. Less than 1% of native Palouse Prairie is left, due to agricultural conversion, with remnants highly fragmented and isolated. P. spicata is also common in …
Moving The Needle On Prairie Conservation: A Palouse Prairie Restoration/Reconstruction Needs Assessment And The Effect Of Intra-Annual Soil Moisture Changes On Balsamroot Seedling Establishment, Sarah Hill
EWU Masters Thesis Collection
The Palouse prairie of Eastern Washington and Western Idaho is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the United States. After 140 years of intensive agriculture, less than 1% of prairie habitat remains, making Palouse prairie conservation and restoration a critical need. This study sought to: 1) conduct a thorough needs assessment for Palouse prairie restoration and reconstruction, identifying challenges and opportunities that when addressed, could increase Palouse prairie restoration successes, and 2) gain insight into the effects of intra-annual soil moisture fluctuations on the seedling establishment of Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata), since establishment of slow growing perennial species like …
Impacts Of Rock Climbing On Lichen And Bryophyte Communities At Mclellan Rocks And Sharon Climbing Areas, Spokane County, Wa, Giovanna M. Bishop
Impacts Of Rock Climbing On Lichen And Bryophyte Communities At Mclellan Rocks And Sharon Climbing Areas, Spokane County, Wa, Giovanna M. Bishop
EWU Masters Thesis Collection
Saxicolous lichens and bryophytes dominate cliff communities of Eastern Washington State. A recent rise in the outdoor recreation of rock climbing has caused major concerns over its potential negative impacts on cliff-dwelling biodiversity. To better understand how rock climbing is impacting lichen, bryophyte and vascular plant communities in Spokane, WA, I surveyed two sites: McLellan Rocks and Rocks of Sharon, for the abundance, richness and diversity of lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants. Sixteen paired transects consisting of a climbed route and the unclimbed adjacent cliff face, with eight plots per transect for a total of 256, 0.5m2 plots were surveyed …
Remnant Assessment And Soil Inoculation To Inform Large-Scale Prairie Restoration At Eastern Washington University, Erik E. Peterson
Remnant Assessment And Soil Inoculation To Inform Large-Scale Prairie Restoration At Eastern Washington University, Erik E. Peterson
EWU Masters Thesis Collection
The Palouse Prairie of Eastern Washington and Western Idaho, characterized by rolling hills of deep loess soil, is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, with more than 99% converted to tilled farmland. To mitigate this loss, Eastern Washington University has begun prairie restoration on a tilled wheat field adjacent to campus, in the northern extent of the Palouse Prairie Ecoregion. However, effective restoration requires understanding reference conditions, and there are relatively few studies of remnant prairie plant communities or soils, particularly in the Northern Palouse. From north to south in the Palouse Prairie Ecoregion, there are gradients …