Additional Funding Sources
This work was made possible by the NSF Idaho EPSCoR Program and by the National Science Foundation under award number OIA-1757324, and Bromecast award #1927282.
Abstract
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is an invasive annual grass pervasive in the Western US, especially in the Great Basin. It competes with native perennial plants and is associated with increased fire frequency, likely due to its high production of biomass for fuel. Plant biomass is a measurement that depends on both genetic and environmental factors. We wanted to examine if/what environmental factors in our region affect cheatgrass biomass. Biomass was measured from four sites (five plots) in Eastern Idaho. Each plot had four transects, two were treated with round-up for plant removal. Seeds were collected from each plot early in the summer and replanted later in the early fall along the transects. Plants were harvested Summer 2022 and measured Summer 2023. Bioclimatic variables from WorldClim were used for the environmental factors. Principal component analysis and standard linear regression were used to analyze data. Data collection and analysis are ongoing.
Assessment of Environmental Factors Impacting Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) Biomass
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is an invasive annual grass pervasive in the Western US, especially in the Great Basin. It competes with native perennial plants and is associated with increased fire frequency, likely due to its high production of biomass for fuel. Plant biomass is a measurement that depends on both genetic and environmental factors. We wanted to examine if/what environmental factors in our region affect cheatgrass biomass. Biomass was measured from four sites (five plots) in Eastern Idaho. Each plot had four transects, two were treated with round-up for plant removal. Seeds were collected from each plot early in the summer and replanted later in the early fall along the transects. Plants were harvested Summer 2022 and measured Summer 2023. Bioclimatic variables from WorldClim were used for the environmental factors. Principal component analysis and standard linear regression were used to analyze data. Data collection and analysis are ongoing.