Development of an integrated multiplatform approach for assessing brush management conservation efforts in semiarid rangelands

Collins, Chandra D. Holifield; Kautz, Mark A.; Tiller, Ronald L.; Lohani, Sapana; Ponce‐Campos, Guillermo E.; Hottenstein, John D.; Metz, Loretta J.

doi:10.1117/1.jrs.9.096057

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Woody plant proliferation in grasslands has prompted the implementation of "brush management" practices aimed at reducing shrub cover to enhance livestock production (Hamilton et al, 2004) and restore habitat for grassland wildlife (Fulbright et al, 2018). These practices often involve herbicides, heavy equipment (e.g., cutting, shredding, or chaining), and prescribed burning alone or in combination (Collins et al, 2015). Such endeavors are costly, short-lived, and require repeated application (Archer et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Woody plant proliferation in grasslands has led to the implementation of "brush management" practices involving heavy equipment, herbicides, and/or prescribed fire to reduce the cover of trees and shrubs (Hamilton et al, 2004;Collins et al, 2015). Such techniques are typically expensive with short-lived effects, and hence are seldom cost-effective (Archer et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Reintroduction Can Limit Woody Plant Proliferation in Grasslands

2020

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Tree and shrub proliferation has been widespread in grasslands worldwide, and has altered ecosystem function and wildlife habitat. Several causes have been proposed for the woody plant encroachment phenomenon. The widespread eradication of a native keystone herbivore in North American grasslands, the prairie dog (Cynomys spp.), is one potential contributing factor that has received relatively little attention. We hypothesized prairie dogs would have historically suppressed woody plants by creating "browse traps" through their systematic clipping of vegetation. We tested this hypothesis by conducting surveys and experimentally manipulating shrub accessibility via exclosures and artificial saplings on and around recently reestablished black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies in southeastern Arizona, United States. Shrubs were common on the nascent colonies (mean ± SE = 132 ± 32.7 plants ha −1), but at substantially reduced densities compared to off colonies (305 ± 94.9 plants ha −1). Among branches placed on colonies to simulate "saplings" 89% were damaged within 3 days of "planting," whereas those placed off colonies were virtually untouched. This was true for both a deciduous, N 2-fixing shrub (velvet mesquite, Prosopis velutina) and an evergreen non-N 2-fixing shrub (creosote bush, Larrea tridentata). Prairie dogs on newly established colonies did not extirpate woody plants over the time-frame of our study, but reduced their abundance and suppressed their growth, which would ostensibly prevent them from achieving dominance. Implications for extending the longevity of widely practiced "brush management" grassland restoration treatments are discussed in the context of perceptions of prairie dogs as rangeland pests. Prairie dogs represent an enigma in keystone conservation. Whereas the reintroduction of large or charismatic keystone species [e.g., sea otters (Enhydra lutris)] are conducted to restore critical ecological function, reintroductions of other keystone species, such as gray wolves (Canis lupus) and in our case, prairie dogs, are highly controversial. Our findings suggest reintroductions of this negatively perceived small herbivore could function as a tool to locally suppress woody plant proliferation that is widely regarded as an impediment to livestock production. Accordingly, prairie dogs could promote restoration efforts to re-establish and maintain habitat for grassland endemics while promoting biological diversity and other ecosystem services.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Reintroduction Can Limit Woody Plant Proliferation in Grasslands

2020

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“…Innovation with brush management allows for more precise control of growth of Prosopis spp. Researchers combined the National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) and a moderate-resolution (30m) Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery to create free-of-charge maps that can be used by land managers to increase cost-effective methods of monitoring and controlling mesquite growth (Collins et al 2015). The maps help the land owner decide where efforts need to be allocated to best manage the land and focus resources on key-targeted areas.…”

Section: Estimation Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspective on the control of invasive mesquite trees and possible alternative uses

Ellsworth¹,

Crandall²,

Lingbeck³

et al. 2018

iForest

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Biogeosciences and Forestry Biogeosciences and Forestry Perspective on the control of invasive mesquite trees and possible alternative uses Seth W Ellsworth (1) , Philip G Crandall (1-2) , Jody M Lingbeck (2) , Corliss A O'Bryan (2) Mesquite trees continue to invade forests and range lands in many countries across the world. The cost to remove these trees is staggering. In Texas, landowners spent $25 million over a 10-year period to clear 300.000 ha of mesquite trees, a fraction of the 22 million ha of Texas land affected by this invasion. Estimates are that the mesquite continues to negatively impact one to two percent of additional land in selected counties each year in Texas. However, the problem is not unique to Texas, but rather to the 44 species of mesquite trees, belonging to the genus Prosopis found in the pea family (Fabaceae), introduced across the southern United States, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean. In response, researchers are searching for economically viable uses for harvested trees and seeds to provide an alternative to the high cost of removal. If viable uses for harvested mesquite trees and seeds are found, then sustained pressure will limit and ultimately reduce the negative impact from these invasive trees. One key factor to controlling this invasive species is to find economically and environmentally sustainable uses to help pay the costs of removal or perhaps make removal less necessary. Traditional uses of mesquite are as a building material, as a source of food for both animals and humans and as wood for charcoal. Emerging uses of mesquite are new applications as a biofuel and as a bio-filter medium for water. Moreover, forestry land management of mesquite has adapted to include the tree as a component of hunting lands. New control methodologies and technologies are based on an increased understanding of mesquite growth patterns, using recommended practices that reduce control and eradication costs while improving the efficiency of land management. Previous land management practices have proven that excessive application of herbicides, physical removal of mesquite trees, or human-induced brush fires, if not carefully planned, only worsen mesquite infestations. The growing problem of mesquite land management provides an opportunity for continued research into novel ways to utilize mesquite biomass, of both wood and seed pods.

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Rangeland Brush Estimation Tool (RaBET): An Operational Remote Sensing-Based Application for Quantifying Woody Cover on Western Rangelands

Holifield Collins,

Skirvin,

Kautz

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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Much of the western United States is covered by rangelands used for grazing and wildlife. Woody plant cover is increasing in areas historically covered by grasslands and can cause numerous problems, including losses in wildlife habitat, forage for grazing, and overall losses in soil health. Land managers and conservationists are working to control these increases in woody plants, but need tools to help determine target areas to focus efforts and resources where they are most needed. In this work, we present RaBET (Rangeland Brush Estimation Tool), which uses transparent, well-understood methodologies with remotely sensed data to map woody canopy cover across large areas of rangelands. We demonstrate that our process produced more accurate results than two currently available tools based on advanced machine learning techniques. We compare two methods of map validation: traditional field methods of plant canopy measurements; and aircraft-based photography, which decreases the amount of time and resources needed. RaBET is a remote sensing-based application for obtaining repeatable, accurate measures of woody cover to aid land managers and conservationists in the control of woody plants on rangelands.

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Development of an integrated multiplatform approach for assessing brush management conservation efforts in semiarid rangelands

Cited by 3 publications

References 51 publications

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Reintroduction Can Limit Woody Plant Proliferation in Grasslands

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) Reintroduction Can Limit Woody Plant Proliferation in Grasslands

Perspective on the control of invasive mesquite trees and possible alternative uses

Rangeland Brush Estimation Tool (RaBET): An Operational Remote Sensing-Based Application for Quantifying Woody Cover on Western Rangelands

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