The Nevada Forestry Sciences Laboratory
Cheatgrass Invasion and Dominance of Sagebrush and Pinyon-Juniper Ecosystems
GBEM-Team Leader
EPR-Project Leader
Cheatgrass, an exotic annual grass, is increasing in abundance throughout Nevada, is frequently assuming dominance following wildfire, and is resulting in the widespread degradation of sagebrush ecosystems and pinyon-juniper woodlands. We are developing a basic understanding of the causes of cheatgrass invasion into sagebrush and pinyon-juniper ecosystems of the Great Basin. This includes examination of areas currently dominated by cheatgrass, and of effects of both fire and understory depletion due to overgrazing on cheatgrass invasion. We also are working on techniques for restoring and maintaining sagebrush ecosystems and pinyon-juniper woodlands. These include management approaches for limiting initial invasion (proper grazing, prescribed fire), predictive models of future expansion, and methods for restoring native communities.