Study of Sagebrush on the Uncompahgre Plateau

A study of the distribution of different sagebrush taxa (Artemisia) throughout the Uncompahgre Plateau was completed by Dr. Allan Stevens, Snow College, UT. The ploidy level for each species was determined and plant occurrence was mapped to define location by elevation, topography, overall plant community types, soils, and climatic conditions. This information will assist in determining the existence and ecological relationship of different species, the evolution and occurrence of hybrid populations, and the need to re-assemble different plant associations when restoration measures are applied.

Sagebrush Landscape on the Plateau

Study of Cheatgrass on the Uncompahgre Plateau

A study on the distribution of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) throughout the Uncompahgre Plateau was completed by Dr. Allan Stevens, Snow College, UT. Laboratory trials will identify the different populations or ecotypes that occurred in the region. This data is being used to determine if different populations do exist, if specific control measures can be applied to halt the advancement of the species and to develop control measures and accomplish restoration measures.

Cheatgrass invasion after a fire on the Plateau

 

Effects of Treatment Practices on Shrub Seed Production Study

A study of the effectiveness of pruning and removing the understory competition on flowering and seed production of Saskatoon serviceberry and mountain mahogany was undertaken on the Uncompahgre Plateau. Both species are important wildland shrubs but are slow-growing and site specific. It is preferable to manage existing stands than to commercially cultivate these species. Improvements to seed production capabilities in the wild are needed. Results showed that the removal of understory competition had a positive effect on seed production of mountain mahogany. Pruning was shown to have either no effect or a negative effect on seed production of both shrub species. It is believed that many factors contributed to the trends found including: drought conditions and heavy browsing. This research study was funded by the BLM and U.S. Forest Service.

Josh rating the flowering of a Saskatoon serviceberry.

Pinyon-Juniper Restoration Study

The UP Project was interested in evaluating the effectiveness of converting pinyon-juniper dominated sites to shrub/herb communities to improve understory conditions by restoring native plants. Three sites on the Uncompahgre Plateau that had received treatments by the BLM (chained in the 1960s and rollerchopped in 2001) were selected. The treatment areas were compared to adjacent pinyon-juniper woodland areas. It was found that the treatments increased shrub density, forb and grass cover frequency, and forb diversity. The research study was funded by the BLM Native Plant Development Program.

Transects comparing understory conditions in past treatment areas (left) and adjacent pinyon-juniper woodlands (right).

Study of Seed Production of Mountain Big Sagebrush

In the summer of 2006, two research study sites (one site on BLM and one site on USFS) were established on the Uncompahgre Plateau to examine the effect of reducing competition on seed production and shrub vigor of mountain big sagebrush. In November, the transects were monitored.

Measuring seed stalk heights on mountain big sagebrush