USGS Fort Collins Science Center Grant: Assessing Riparian Vegetation Response 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.