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In this section |
| Ecology and dynamics of PNW meadows |
History of invasion
Vegetation responses
Other studies Return to
Vegetation responses to encroachment
Effects of tree age & species
Dynamics of the soil seed bank
Gopher disturbance in meadows
Program of research
| At Bunchgrass Ridge, retrospective and observational studies explore the history of conifer invasion, its consequences for biological diversity, and other aspects of the ecology and dynamics of montane meadows. |
| History of invasion |
| Knowledge of the timing and spatial structure of conifer invasion into meadows is critical to understanding the natural dynamics of forest-meadow boundaries and to establishing a baseline for assessing future change. We have used dendrochronology and analysis of aerial photography to determine the temporal and spatial patterns of conifer invasion at Bunchgrass Ridge. |
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| Vegetation responses to conifer encroachment |
| Our detailed analyses of encroachment history provide a powerful tool for understanding patterns of vegetation change — and how they may influence the potential for meadow restoration — as meadows are replaced by forest. We have devoted several studies to quantifying the responses of vegetation and the soil seed bank to tree establishment and subsequent forest development. |
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Other studies of meadow ecology |
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| Our broader program of research and the proximity of Bunchgrass Ridge to the Andrews Experimental Forest/LTER has afforded many opportunities for collaboration, independent research, and training. Here we highlight one such study which explores the consequences of gopher disturbance for plant species diversity and heterogeneity in meadows. |
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