This project will fill critical gaps in the understanding of the importance of seed source for restoration success in the central and southern Great Basin. Anticipated project outcomes include the following:
- Determine whether five intermountain grass species show evidence of adaptation to large-scale climatic gradients
- Determine if these adaptations affect seedling establishment in the southern Great Basin
- Provide information on the performance of the most commonly used native grass cultivars relative to the performance of local collections
This study will use a common garden approach to test the performance of locally-collected and commercially-produced seeds along a north-south gradient from southern Nevada to Washington. Comparisons of seedling establishment will determine how large-scale environmental variation affects seedling establishment in the central and southern Great Basin.
Year 1 - Five sites will be selected from Utah and Nevada SageSTEP prescribed fire plots. Five to six additional sites will be selected along a north-south gradient from southern Nevada to Washington. Researchers will collect seed samples including at least 100 individuals per population at locations as near to each site as possible.
Year 2 - Seeds will be planted at each site using a reciprocal, common garden design. The planting will be repeated in two sequential years to account for year-to-year variation in precipitation. Small seeding grids will be used for planting to allow for relocation of individuals. Planting in post-burn sites will allow researchers to assess success under fire rehabilitation conditions, the most common restoration scenario.
Years 3 and 4 - Researchers will monitor seedling emergence, survival and growth. |
