The elevational ascent and spread of exotic annual grass dominance in the Great Basin, USA

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 28(1), P. 83 - 96

Published: Nov. 17, 2021

Abstract Aim In the western United States, sagebrush ( Artemisia spp.) and salt desert shrublands are rapidly transitioning to communities dominated by exotic annual grasses, a novel self‐reinforcing state that threatens economic sustainability conservation value of rangelands. Climate change is predicted favour potentially pushing transitions grass dominance into higher elevations north‐facing aspects. We sought quantify expansion grass‐dominated vegetation along topographic gradients over past several decades. Location Our analysis focused on rangelands among three ecoregions in Great Basin where species grasses widespread shrub perennial communities. Methods used recently developed remote sensing‐based rangeland data produce yearly maps spanning 1990–2020. With these maps, we quantified rate spread characterized changes distribution (i.e. elevation aspect) areas dominance. Results documented more than an eightfold increase area since 1990, occurring at average >2,300 km 2 year −1 (0.6% rangelands). 2020, approximately one‐fifth (>77,000 ) This rapid was associated with broadening niche, movement aspects consistent effects warming climate. Main conclusions More century after first appearing region, continue proliferate establish new environments across Basin. Accelerated, strategic intervention critically needed conserve vulnerable not yet heavily invaded. this era warming, future climate provides important context for selecting from alternative management actions judging long‐term prospects success.

Language: Английский

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Defend the core: Maintaining intact rangelands by reducing vulnerability to invasive annual grasses

Rangelands, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 44(3), P. 181 - 186

Published: Jan. 7, 2022

New geographic strategies provide the landscape context needed for effective management of invasive annual grasses in sagebrush country. Identifying and proactively defending intact rangeland cores from grass invasion is a top priority management. Minimizing vulnerability to conversion includes reducing exposure seed sources, improving resilience resistance by promoting perennial plants, building capacity communities partnerships adapt changing conditions respond problem with appropriate actions timely manner.

Language: Английский

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New indicators of ecological resilience and invasion resistance to support prioritization and management in the sagebrush biome, United States

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Jan. 26, 2023

Ecosystem transformations to altered or novel ecological states are accelerating across the globe. Indicators of resilience disturbance and resistance invasion can aid in assessing risks prioritizing areas for conservation restoration. The sagebrush biome encompasses parts 11 western is experiencing rapid due human population growth, invasive species, regimes, climate change. We built on prior use static soil moisture temperature regimes develop new, ecologically relevant responsive indicators both resistance. Our new were based water availability variables derived from process-based ecohydrological models that allow predictions future conditions. asked: (1) Which best indicate resistance? (2) What relationships among indicator categories? (3) How do patterns vary area? assembled a large database ( n = 24,045) vegetation sample plots regional monitoring programs multiple each plot simulations. used USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service National Soils Survey Information, Ecological Site Descriptions, expert knowledge assign types categories plot. random forest derive set 19 predicted categories. had relatively high multiclass accuracy (80% resilience; 75% resistance). Top included mean temperature, coldest month climatic deficit, summer driest precipitation. Variable differed ecoregions but reflected environmental gradients; low indicated by warm dry conditions with deficits, moderately characterized cooler moister deficits. ecologically-relevant provide information vulnerability resources likely success management actions, be approaches tools restoration actions.

Language: Английский

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Global estimates of suitable areas for marine algae farming

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(6), P. 064028 - 064028

Published: May 10, 2023

Abstract Marine algae, both macro and micro, have gained increasing attention for their numerous ecosystem service functions, such as food raw materials provision climate change mitigation. Currently, the practice of large-scale algae farming is limited to Asian waters, but significant interest has arisen from other continents. However, there a lack knowledge about areas with suitable environmental conditions expanding on global scale. Previous studies primarily focused nutrient availability thermal constraints when assessing potential culture. This study uses species distribution models based an ensemble consensus approach determine extent takes into account multiple factors that may affect feasibility Our results show approximately 20.8 million km 2 ocean (∼13.8% economic exclusive zones) marine species, most located near coastline. Surprisingly, four out top five countries largest area seaweed farming, including Australia, Russia, Canada, US, 30% total areas, yet they currently produce less than 1% seaweed. Several promising characteristics cultivation, viability commercial production remains uncertain subject further assessment social acceptance. Further research ecological benefits could also promote development ecologically friendly financially viable mariculture industry. provides scientific basis decision-makers understand expansion feasible pathways ultimate goal ensuring sustainable utilization resources.

Language: Английский

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Large shifts of niche and range in the golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata), an aquatic invasive species

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Abstract Niche and range shifts of invasive species are essential in assessing the risk biological invasions developing ecological niches distribution theories. Studies on aquatic species' niche have important implications for conserving ecosystems. Here we used dynamic models to explore golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculata , one world's most species. The major factors responsible P. native invaded regions were minimum temperature coldest month precipitation warmest quarter. snails not conserved relative their counterparts had a broader larger range, which consistent with findings that could survive colder, hotter, drier, wetter climates. Given nonconservatism result small increases breadth induce large expansions, might provide more sensitive indicator invasion than shifts. In contrast show conservatism niches, observed high lability between regions. Our indicate is high‐risk its ability aggressively proliferate through rapid reproduction rate, fast growth as suggested by previous studies, also highly labile ranges, facilitates adaptation climate introduced

Language: Английский

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Combining resilience and resistance with threat‐based approaches for prioritizing management actions in sagebrush ecosystems

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(11)

Published: Oct. 10, 2023

Abstract The sagebrush biome is a dryland region in the western United States experiencing rapid transformations to novel ecological states. Threat‐based approaches for managing anthropogenic and ecosystem threats have recently become prominent, but successfully mitigating depends on resilience of ecosystems. We used spatially explicit approach prioritizing management actions that combined threat‐based model with models disturbance resistance annual grass invasion. assessed geographic patterns integrity (SEI) identify core sagebrush, growth opportunity, other rangeland areas. identified ecologically relevant climate soil water availability indicators from process‐based ecohydrological models. SEI areas were consistent—the showed generally positive relationships They also complementary—SEI provided information intact threats, while responses disturbances actions. index provide basis conservation restoration determining appropriate strategies. difficulty time required conserve or restore increase as increases decrease.

Language: Английский

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Multi-Species Inference of Exotic Annual and Native Perennial Grasses in Rangelands of the Western United States Using Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 Data

Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(4), P. 807 - 807

Published: Feb. 9, 2022

The invasion of exotic annual grass (EAG), e.g., cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), into rangeland ecosystems the western United States is a broad-scale problem that affects wildlife habitats, increases wildfire frequency, adds to land management costs. However, identifying individual species EAG abundance from remote sensing, particularly at early stages or growth, can be problematic because overlapping controls similar phenological characteristics among native other vegetation. Subsequently, refining developing tools capable quantifying phenology perennial would beneficial help inform conservation efforts local regional scales. Here, we deploy an enhanced version U.S. Geological Survey Rangeland Exotic Plant Monitoring System develop timely accurate maps (2016–2020) intra-annual (May 2021 July 2021) abundances throughout rangelands States. This monitoring system leverages field observations remote-sensing data with artificial intelligence/machine learning rapidly produce season estimates 30-m spatial resolution. We introduce fully automated multi-task deep-learning framework simultaneously predict generate weekly, near-seamless composites Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 spectral data. These data, along auxiliary datasets time series metrics, are incorporated ensemble independent XGBoost models. study demonstrates inclusion Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Wetness time-series generated our enables near real-time mapping (Median Absolute Error (MdAE): 3.22, 2.72, 0.02; correlation coefficient (r): 0.82, 0.81, 0.73; respectively for EAG, cheatgrass, medusahead) (MdAE: 2.51, r:0.72 Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda)). Our approach resulting provide insights dynamics, which will useful applications, such as fire drought monitoring, habitat suitability mapping, well land-cover land-change modelling. Spatially explicit, timely, species-specific invaluable information managers.

Language: Английский

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Ecological niche shifts affect the potential invasive risk of Phytolacca americana (Phytolaccaceae) in China

Ecological Processes, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Jan. 3, 2023

Abstract Background Predicting the potential habitat of Phytolacca americana, a high-risk invasive species, can help provide scientific basis for its quarantine and control strategies. Using optimized MaxEnt model, we applied latest climate data, CMIP6, to predict distribution risk zones their change patterns P . americana under current future (SSP126, SSP245, SSP585) conditions, followed by invasion analysis. Results The predictions model based on R language optimization were highly accurate. A significantly high area 0.8703 was observed working characteristic curve (AUC value) subject kappa value 0.8074. Under P. mainly distributed in Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Hunan, Guangxi provinces. contribution rate each climatic factor calculated using jackknife test. four factors with highest included minimum temperature coldest month (bio6, 51.4%), monthly mean diurnal difference (bio2, 27.9%), precipitation driest quarter (bio17, 4.9%), warmest seasonal (bio12, 4.3%). Conclusion pattern generally showed migration toward Yangtze River Delta region southeastern coastal China. This exhibited an expansion trend, highlighting strong invasiveness species. Based predictions, targeted prevention strategies areas significant changes developed. Therefore, this study emphasizes need integrated approach effectively prevent further spread plants.

Language: Английский

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Horticulture could facilitate invasive plant range infilling and range expansion with climate change

BioScience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 73(9), P. 635 - 642

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Abstract Invasive plants are often sold as ornamental garden plants, but how species in the same locations where they invasive? To answer this question, we assessed geography of plant sales United States relation to existing invasions and potential invasion risk with climate change. Using a data set 672 nurseries selling 89 invasive estimated distance between nursery species’ observed distributions. We also used range maps identify within current invaded ranges, well future ranges given Half were by 21 kilometers an record invasion. Under climate, horticulture could be seeding for 73 studied, facilitate climate-driven expansion 25 species. Our results illustrate risks associated horticultural introductions species, providing guidance regulatory educational interventions that reduce spread ongoing invasions.

Language: Английский

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Interannual climate variability mediates changes in carbon and nitrogen pools caused by annual grass invasion in a semiarid shrubland

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 28(1), P. 267 - 284

Published: Oct. 8, 2021

Exotic plant invasions alter ecosystem properties and threaten functions globally. Interannual climate variability (ICV) influences both community composition (PCC) soil properties, interactions between ICV PCC may influence nitrogen (N) carbon (C) pools. We asked how non-native annual grass invasion covary to N C in a semiarid shrubland undergoing widespread transformation due altered fire regimes. sampled four progressive stages of at 20 sites across large (25,000 km2 ) landscape for composition, tissue C, total 2013 2016, which followed 2 years dry wet conditions, respectively. Multivariate analyses ANOVAs showed that where native shrub perennial forb communities were replaced by grass-dominated communities, the lost more years. Path analysis high water availability led higher herbaceous cover all stages. In with shrubs grasses, was associated increased N, while annual-dominated stages, losses N. Also, C:N ratios homogeneous as indicated within-site standard deviations. Loss grasses forbs coupled lead long-term declines hamper restoration efforts. Restoration strategies use innovative techniques novel species address increasing temperatures emphasize maintaining structure-shrubs, forbs-will allow sagebrush ecosystems maintain sequestration, fertility, heterogeneity.

Language: Английский

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