Integrated Fire and Weed Management Planning through a National Parks and Protected Areas Cooperative Studies Program at Oregon State University Cascades Campus

Project ID: P18AC01347

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Oregon State University

Fiscal Year: 2018

Initial Funding: $55,492

Total Funding: $231,390

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Interdisciplinary

National Park: John Day Fossil Beds NM

Principal Investigator: Shinderman, Matt

Agreement Technical Representative: Dicus, Gordon

Abstract: This is a collaborative project to provide support for improved evidence-based decision-making about sagebrush and bunchgrass steppe management and restoration, with an emphasis on integrating both fire and exotic plant management with the emergent concepts of resilience and resistance. The focus of the first phase of the project will be to synthesize recent studies conducted by NPS and OSU in JODA with other scientific literature and develop a suite of scientific and park management documents for JODA, as a proof of concept that will be used in later phases (pending satisfactory progress and additional funds) to develop similar support products for other parks facing these same management challenges, including CRLA, City of Rocks National Reserve (CIRO), Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve (CRMO), Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (BICA), Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (HAFO), and Lava Beds National Monument (LABE).

In this project, the OSU Principal Investigator (PI) and student assistants will build and coordinate a team including NPS staff and other subject-matter experts to complete the synthesis of scientific information for park management plans. Objectives include facilitation of a collaborative science-management team, publication of a scientific synthesis manuscript that summarizes recent monitoring studies in JODA within the context of variation in fire effects and resistance to weed invasion over geographic space and time, which then informs the completion of adaptive management documents that provides specific guidance for JODA management and restoration. This work will continue to enhance OSU curricula with content about natural resources science and stewardship in parks and protected areas, and provide opportunities for OSU students and interns to gain valuable educational and professional experience.