Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU

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Funding Opportunity Description (¿Assessing the functional responses of riparian vegetation to Tamarix biocontrol¿) The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center (FORT), is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for conducting data analysis and reporting and interpreting results related to functional trait responses of biological control of the invasive shrub, tamarisk (genus Tamarix). Controlling invasive shrubs in the genus Tamarix (tamarisk, saltcedar) is one of the main goals of resource managers along western U.S. rivers, including DOI agencies such as NPS, BLM, and FWS. The vegetation that replaces Tamarix following biocontrol determines the extent to which various resource management objectives are met, such as improving wildlife habitat, improving recreational opportunities, reducing wildfire risk, or increasing native plant diversity. These objectives reflect desired functions and services of riparian ecosystems. Despite increasing scientific and management emphasis on ecosystem functionality, the (few) studies assessing vegetation response to Tamarix biocontrol have taken a taxonomic approach; that is, they have evaluated floristic metrics such as plant diversity or species abundance. This project will extend and complement classic taxonomic assessments of the effectiveness of Tamarix biocontrol with functional assessments in two long-term study areas.

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