Project Number: 5360-11630-005-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Sep 10, 2002
End Date: Sep 09, 2007

Objective:
1)Improve our understanding of the functioning of arid rangeland, riparian, and meadow ecosystems in the northern Great Basin, and 2) Provide applied information that can be used to develop restoration strategies and herbage/livestock management systems for the northern Great Basin.

Approach:
The mission of the Burns unit is to develop agricultural and natural resource strategies that benefit the people and ecosystems of the northern Great Basin. This five-year plan builds on a rich history of research at this location, in some cases reaching back to the 1940's. The unit provides information that is used by ranchers and other private landowners, state and federal land managers, policymakers, and the interested public. The first broad objective is to improve our basic understanding of rangeland, riparian, and meadow ecosystems in the northern Great Basin. Within this objective is an emphasis on issues that are of interest to both land managers and policymakers - juniper encroachment, prescribed fire, native seed production, productivity, and CO2 sequestration. The CO2 work is part of a 10 location network that was initiated in 1993. The second broad objective is to provide applied information that can be used to develop restoration strategies and forage/livestock management systems for the northern Great Basin. Within this objective is research on grazing behavior and methods to improve grazing distribution on Great Basin rangeland, methods of improving yield and quality of flood meadows, revegetation strategies, and growth of riparian vegetation under different grazing regimes. Most ranches in the Great Basin consist of both extensively managed private and public sagebrush rangeland and intensively managed hay meadows. The unit is co-located with Oregon State University and has historically cooperated with other ARS units. Formerly 5360-11630-004-00D (8/02). FY03 Program Increase $335,307. Add 1 SY.

Project Team

Svejcar, Anthony - Tony Bates, Jonathan - Jon Boyd, Chad Angell, Raymond - Ray Ganskopp, David - Dave

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Rangeland, Pasture, and Forages (205)

Related Projects

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH BURNS/HINES SCHOOL DISTRICT #3    CO2 FLUX PROGRAM