Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), Desert Southwest CESU

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The Western Ecological Research Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) partner for research on the natural recovery and active rehabilitation of disturbed dryland shrublands. The goal of the research is to evaluate successful restoration techniques for repairing sites historically impacted by oil and gas exploration in blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima) and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) shrubland communities of the Colorado Plateau. In collaboration with USGS scientists and the Southwest Energy Development and Drought (SWEDD) Program, a research design evaluating various soil and re-vegetation treatments will be developed and implemented at approved sites on public lands throughout the Colorado Plateau of Utah. Re-vegetation treatments will include seeding with locally-collected seeds and/or transplanting of seedlings raised from local seed sources. Other treatments may include, but are not limited to, soil decompaction, nutrient addition, surface mulching, installation of wind breaks, and protection from herbivores. Data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted for researchers and resource specialists tasked with managing public lands impacted by such surface disturbances. Research will be used for informing resource managers how to implement scientifically-based approaches to repairing lands impacted by decommissioned oil and gas installations.

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