Research at Bunchgrass Ridge addresses fundamental aspects of the ecology, dynamics, and management of montane meadows in the western Cascades. It explores:

• when, why, and how these systems have undergone invasions by conifers
• the consequences of these invasions for loss and degradation of meadow habitats
• the potential to restore meadow through tree removal and prescribed burning

We have designed our research as an integrated series of retrospective and experimental studies that use a common set of study plots. Dendrochronological and chronosequence-based studies of vegetation change provide the historical and ecological contexts for an experiment that tests the potential for, and conditions under which, restoration is possible with tree removal and prescribed fire.

To learn about research at Bunchgrass Ridge, click on a thumbnail or link below, or use the menu at the left.

	1.	Patterns of conifer invasion
		Introduction    A. Spatial and temporal patterns    B. Extrinsic vs. intrinsic controls       Also see: Change in meadow extent	Key findings
	2.	Vegetation responses to tree encroachment
		Introduction    A. Effects of conifer encroachment    B. Effects of tree age and species    C. Seed bank composition	Key findings
	3.	Gopher disturbance and meadow community structure
		Introduction    A. Plant succession on gopher mounds    B. Contributions of gopher mounds and castings       to meadow community structure       Also see: Gophers mediate effects of prescribed fire	Key findings
	4.	Potential for meadow restoration with tree removal and fire
		Experimental restoration of meadow communities    Introduction - Methods - Initial results - Conclusion Recent results    Recovery of burn scars    Conifer reinvasion    Community reassembly	Key findings