Research plan for lands administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Interior Columbia Basin and Snake River Plateau

80 Pages·2002·31.6 MB·English

by  Beever, Erik A. (Eric Alan)

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science for a changing world
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Cover photo Credits: Front cover - Great Basin National Park, Erik Beever, USGS; bull trout, Russ Thurow,
USDA - Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station; collared lizard, Great Basin National Park; sage grouse,
©Terry Steele. Back cover — Steens Mountain (lower right), Tamzen Stringham, Oregon State University. Others are
public domain.
CRY
Recycled
Paper
Research Plan for Lands Administered
by the U.S. Department of the Interior
in the Interior Columbia Basin and
Snake River Plateau
Information and Technology Report
USGS/BRD/ITR-2002-0003
June 2002
by
Erik A. Beever
David A. Pyke
with contributions from
Robert Gresswell
Susan M. Haig
Steve Knick
Edward Starkey
U.S. Geological Survey
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Corvallis, Oregon
in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Fish & Wildlife Service
National Park Service
Bureau of Reclamation
Suggested citation:
Beever, E.A., and D.A. Pyke. 2002. Research Plan for Lands Administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior
in the Interior Columbia Basin and Snake River Plateau. U.S. Geological Survey, Information and Technology
Report USGS/BRD/ITR-2002-0003. 76 pp.
Contents
Page
ESOS ACC me MED Cee te teeS e ORT ae cee, ee me ee PETE Se eT aan Us a a Fhe Ne Oe Noe ein bs 1
COVEE1Y0 \ MMR eeM eals omnes eC citen Sony Were Fele Pac eat ari als este uareieis. «se ghtlgis SOPs & Colette s euts sels sie ae e 8h ated 3
[po Grech Wel WaeehC lelie aot Memedie 4 We eels eRe uae APN A ali ulhs a AD Galm e alts Renee la mua narra asiytate cin fog aihan PR 8
FOCIO N UT crohe inne etek Seer Ae oh cere ate Raa Rae ates a hte ane viers ieee atetcne Gis os 8
Implementation of the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Plan .................
on DOI Lands: Step-down Process, Socioeconomic Considerations .............e0e0e0 e0ee 8
CreNleta l A VeECNaC WeOlL lc. Bact tet aint. cisces nesters ee me Gt ree ag fa eie Oeste nae hints oOo 4 9
EIODUSIYC Ais ACR BTOUDG Brion Sete eee ear Pep eee etn e cnats yc 9 + Marware ne saat swe ot dud9
DOTUN ANE Vege laliomt CITOUDS ate eee ae WE ee mre tienes cies ee eeS kiers = oi vaehe ret eats Bie cleo ok 10
Background Information Specific to Each of the Plan's Major Research Themes .............. 11
angela bicCarer eto cs ere MMOLE MCE r yo oists tue tian gcke Ria ote aes x imene ese chs le Gc '91 1
EXOUIC MIAN Spee Chih), Pee ier ee Lee ak ule etiess cit iain Saat, wie oun bees aera Shane 11
VW ildtileiS UDP CsskOtl, Seca art ies sO Pena hac ae ts Mae ae ae vein ee 12
PRE VALS lad stelaelete alyM ARIE Selb dake OE TelS ie gth e eda, <0o an 4 i het oreganela AA Se rea ps Ma eae 12
HICLDIVOPVGN ore6 ee eee CLOSE TOS UR Es 2A TSES ey TAGS eee ler man h ager ane Pee 12
Xan sIOU- Ora Western MUMDeL cect ate eta eer a cccae pinks atria fie ne cence 4 ss ete1 3
Climate Change ....... hs, StS US PS Ee eG, Gaba 3,G emaaess 6 erh asa oiac et apie i ae ee 13
RESCOradO NTA CIOSS LOOT easier en ee Oh eee Sere ae Oh ere ans Riemee st nat ere Puke eta 14
DEIBUGUS a ee aie ete ce eT CR eee ee ee ree tee a che ate Se 14
Br6ad-scale AssessrOcue Or CONGIUONS Bt tte t ae cera eters Leen eee Caen fan ee ae, 14
ESSUIC SONY al tie Mlar < ONCeI nlt Of REStOrathOmny tas ects fe ok tye cis eeth a ate aie ee 14
PXQUA1UC ILreCStl=ld l Sigtel TACO err tte he ate Sh Bee eee cen EES Oe Re tee Oe OR ee nthe a cake 16
RIDA APATCA strea ta ete heen et Re Eee ee OTE ee ee ee eT et ae tle tie ne Ne
VVC ALICL SMe, 8etP ernt ere aN ESE) emer LrS EPM Ue Use ettv ateg eree c rata, Sane OPc tC PT, Say Gna OE ate tsn g ate seh 17
SPCCrAP SEAtUIS HMI StyES PECIOS Gee etree ere ome Mee Mints ae ei cieia tsa lg Clee ug ele eos ee se 18
Development of Protocols tor Adaptive Management) a. st cise et ees Pe oe he eae Se 20
Extent or Currenu knw icdee anid WNCenalnitye: soe Ne ects ee re ie ce one scl alerehe leta tetn eo 21
MONILOFINO ACTss SC Velal SUAtEaIIOCAICS AEs. fee ere Fes eet Ce ee Meee ye ke es 22
Reasons for Limited Success of Past Monitoring Efforts 5.0. es ck ee sk es see's 22
Aspects of Design and Analysis for Monitoring Strategies ............0.-.....------ 22
DisuliCaton ss poets oan ia ke tT eno Ses Myatt Oe oA Peon. aks 23
NC DIC AON se eee). se ey ee a ae os Gere DOE Rie dete Ce td ores2 3
Pecies and Tiabitats al WiSkitm | Memes Mets. ut enn ee ra eee ees, toe 24
OTe stig Pinnitesy CLELALICMEe CRT MM MeN tie ce aah ony,a ux w yateuetasn ons die ecb wlelv wed le ce 24
EECSULIA ECCS ee ee eee eee, Se ee Me te Tere Ce ee eee ss 25
Ecological Rolesand Trends of Endanverment, by Taxon® ys nse es ee ete oe ere ne ee 25
Threatened seman SCred, auc, CAMliGALeraPeCleS seek tr rn as eke te een ete eee 26
GENCUSDIV ELSIly Merete: cane ee ee ere ee eee meee ete er an Eee oS aM
BLO SCALCHIOL LCT AV eee enn eRe a re Mere ng, Se meme eet ne eee tee ene onal octets oe ee ee 28
ATT OCMUC ON een ee Ler ears eee ererens, ea Tee TRC Ree tee Meee Te ss ee ee ee 28
PRA CIAUELCOILGE eee ete te me Te ETT tars terre ce ee ie Re CENT e aee ate ares ae 28
BER OLICRYVCCUS TRS nm Neen s Sete ae ey ie hcnee Cee esac aaat ALE Magni aiee le tee gM e Rae 28
Pieranan te iker Sto COS sler SUSIALIAUNILY ete Ge roe = sce oe eines tee ke a dy als, s 29
DIOS ZICAI SOM CerUStaeee ts fe cereaarate Se lea ce SON ee oes 30
SIMULSI L Vite eet ne Me Serene ny Tem Nene es he Cha tere, an ea ie se eters alt 30
PRSSESSITION OC ANA NIA Et C GMa pie ateens she eect ciated Ga sn ae se ae ote otal 30
Eee1 i sto ie lyB SS Teal VE MiTe to hecteerar =)S h, nn tgedle ye rences Sr teonsti nhib dedi etary aetna a a 31
Réstoration across DOI Lands rye See ee ee ee ee ee eae 33
Landscape Ecology: Habitat Fragmentation, Connectivity, Boundary Effects ............ 33
Wildlife Habitat <2-0'.a03 ais 0c sie eae Cie ees ee en taeS OR eee eee ee ao ee 35
Native Plant Communities in the Face of Encroachment by Exotics ................4-- 35
Effects of Invasive Plants. on! Native Veretation ge... areeen ee.e e e 35
Restoration Treatments 4). 02 Wee, arate Br ate pee ele cee ea 9 ee 36
SOLES Ki Gm wate aie Win de SAE maet ah ale. nie eM getnde! 2s. oe Ramet tee cee Renee crer ita ch hoe ne eee ae 37
Aquatic-Terrestrial Interface 270.127. .<05 \.= nfsse Gl titele am Seles 0 ae cot ee oa 38
Multi-scale Importance oa... wes. t.leavb's wie 2 .cletstetege ocrl erei ac rameiet Mie ih cna oh eae meee 38
Spring Locations, i ao es et ck nae a chek sone REL to eee Saeko, Leee ersieags 40
Wetland, Riparian, and Upland Commamities ixicicn, cis npc aeee onn ss9 tap ctel ods aaeiiaais + le cai 40
Development of Monitoring and Implementation Protocols for Adaptive Management ....... 42
Overarching Issues: is. oiw ic spielen slelede ss Saeko, tte ecotone eiee si ah oA en aee e ae Ese 2c 42
Riparian Areas \.5 s/sie odessa sisi ted jeerta ele +o eee, ie ale ARR er Se Ce 42
Wildlife 1 she anics sconce cache a \viacbhy oia dedbicteko unter tal amen Cea ie ge | Pe 43
| lt os9 (= na ae ga IO AI RE ia ik SOME. Role aloe Ged 43
SOUS Ts icy dhe wie ow Sie ete > 8 lee conto ete eRe en Te,e o a he ee 44
Testing ASSUIMPUIONS «oo )e aie eie os. 4 Wie ow ars ahs sfo rbire le ava) pt ae oan Aik ae aE Le etree 44
Habitats ‘and Species at Risk. 2225.05.56 Saige eee iee ade meter ns Soames Soke ieee 45
Habitats at Risk ssc. 6 is ose sscb oe& orotate shen otet agete heuer kesS eeks PeIe tA lltel lle de an or eee 45
Expansion of Western Juniper... eciels nr ei: masini aiacsee REN ee nana ematenee (ts anei et ea n 45
Other Habitats at. Risky 0.0.5. 0.'s4 coc sin bce conp aces see» pen anne er eh ec ee 45
Species at RISK io. 5. lle ee tk wee, vs BAL ls cot ere eae oe ere ee ee et ree 46
General Themes”. \0).° iis ose sas 5s Riera eco ae eee ee eo 46
USFWS High-priority Species or Groups and their Management Needs .............. 47
Salmon Issues <5. 3 i5 chee cote tbe es a we ome eee Oe ens a ee en a a i 1. 48
Research Issues of National Wildlife Refuges and Fish Hatcheries .................. 49
Acknowledgments so. aise oie wigiece) ells osteo lel old ida llecpe hfa tm seo rcre cheT euclie Ik eee aeM ee eC a 50
Literature Cited attics x sie,o k eteu ni eo teasiebiv i jas: eteye eee tte ORES ao) ols ee Mc kef o es Spe fo 51
APPOMdicess 9o h. aig bie are cia.« lelacw eto a bw aPite ee nal SR smuercegs taled pt ele oteM aino foieN ae: eee eee ae Sa ee 65
Appendix A. Research Needs of DOI Agencies ..... PO ON PRR I IO BIR Bae ees Sch 55 65
Appendix: B.- Scientist FPIE'S; by Category ct juice fer te cious hs aie ei a i eee en ee 66
Appendix C; Estimated Personnel Needs; by Catccotye 2) aes. t mt ne eee 68
Appendix: D> Estimated ‘Project: Costs oii ioukemareda cena acis: Sey Gat eee ae eee ee 69
Appendix.E. List of Common.and Scientitic Names. 0, \.s.c isc b dace eek eee hee ee 70
Figures
Number Page
1 Classification of ecological integrity in subbasins (4th-field hydrologic units) of the
Interior Columbia Basin and of portions of the Klamath Basin and Great Basins ................. 3
2 Expanded conceptual model for habitats of arid ecosystems, showing measurable
attributes that represent candidate indicator: variables....2 0... ..\- . 23) eae eee +
2 Historical distribution of six key. salmonid.spéecies 2. ...)5 seen s ++ cae iene ones See ee 5
- Current distribution of six Key salimomidispecies 3.0... stk ete tee 6
5 General rangeland successional and disturbance processes, including altered sagebrush-steppe ..... .1 0
6 A list of key issues to address sequentially in the design of a prospective monitoring program. ..... 18
7 Conceptual model demonstrating the relationship of management to monitoring under
an adaptive-management approach... <s2.5. +t > ves aet ame che neta ee oe eC Pre oe, 18
8 Relationships among monitoring, assessments, decisions, and implementation in a general
planning model for'ecosystem/managementiz.f.7 i Cte e ne eee ae ee tne 19
9 Hierarchical division:of hydrological drainage areas. 3.2 eo .ts shee ee eee eee en 21
Research Plan for Lands Administered by the
U.S. Department of the Interior in the
Interior Columbia Basin and Snake River Plateau
By
Erik A. Beever'
and
David A. Pyke
U.S. Geological Survey
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, Oregon USA 97331
Abstract: This document presents a long-term research strategy designed to address current and future research
needs for management of Department of the Interior-administered ecosystems in the Intermountain West. Although
the research plan was developed in the context of the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project, the
plan addresses many high-priority issues facing land managers throughout the Intermountain West. These issues
pose management challenges that may be addressed with applied research both currently and in upcoming decades.
Possessing a particular focus on semiarid ecosystems, the plan is a collection of research questions under five cate-
gories of research emphases: 1) restoration; 2) rangeland health; 3) aquatic-terrestrial connections; 4) development
of monitoring and evaluation protocols; and 5) species and habitats at risk.
The goal of the research strategy is to provide ideas for integrating emerging scientific understanding into
future management in order to restore and maintain long-term ecosystem health and ecological integrity; provide
consistent management direction over broad spatial and temporal scales; emphasize adaptive management over the
long term; restore and maintain habitats for plant and animal species; and support economic and social needs of
people, without compromising the above goals. Research questions are prioritized into three categories based on
the immediacy of their need, feasibility of addressing the question rigorously under varying funding budgets, and
magnitude of risk posed by not addressing the issue. The research strategy is intended to support and integrate with
existing management efforts and strategies. As such, it melds observational studies with experimental manipula-
tion, treating management actions as experiments whenever feasible.
The research strategy focuses on disturbance processes and events that have been the primary drivers of
change, to provide a predictive model for future changes. These drivers include fire, nonnative plants, herbivory,
roads and associated human influences, and climate change. Whereas management in the western United States has
striven to move from an inefficient species-based approach to a habitat-based approach, the plan focuses on
ecosystem function and ecological processes as critical measures of habitat response. Because of the large amount
and contiguity of public lands in the western United States, the region presents both a compelling opportunity to
implement landscape-level science and a challenge to understand a relatively understudied region that is expected
to contribute heavily to national biotic integrity in the future.
Key Words: prioritized research needs, public lands management, Intermountain West, arid ecosystems, rare
species, restoration, monitoring, rangeland health, aquatic habitats.
1 Contact: [email protected]; [phone]; FAX [phone]

Information and Technology Report USGS/BRD/IT-2002-0003 =,
OVERVIEW address management challenges associated with the
current condition of public lands in the western United
The Interior Columbia Basin encompasses 125 mil-
States. For example, 51% of BLM- and Forest Service
lion acres (50.6 million ha) in eastern Oregon, eastern
-administered lands in the Basin have low ecological
Washington, Idaho, and western Montana, and more
integrity, compared with only 23% that possess high
than half of the Basin is managed by federal agencies.
integrity (Figure 1). Because of the large amount and
Within this area, Department of the Interior (DOT)
contiguity of public lands in the western United States,
agencies are responsible for management of 37 wildlife
the region presents both a compelling opportunity to
refuges and hatcheries, numerous Bureau of Reclamation
implement landscape-level science and a challenge to
reservoirs and watersheds, 15 American Indian reserva-
understand a relatively understudied region that is
tions, 11 National Park Service units, and 26 million
expected to contribute heavily to national biotic integrity
acres (10.5 million ha) of land across 10 Bureau of Land
in the future.
Management (BLM) districts. Research is needed to
CANADA
CALIFORNIA NEVADA
50 50 100 50 miles
Low ““ Subbasin Borders
mmm MHiogdhe rate “/ Major Road 50 0 50 100 150 km
“/ Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem
Management Project EIS Border
Fig. 1. Classification of ecological integrity in subbasins (4th-field hydrologic units) of the Interior Columbia Basin and of portions
of the Klamath Basin and Great Basin. Composite ratings of ecological integrity synthesized integrity ratings of forest, rangeland,
forest and rangeland hydrologic, and aquatic component classifications, and were compared against knowledge of actual on-
the-ground conditions. Classifications are based on average trends of subwatershed composite departure from the historical
range of variability (based in turn on vegetation composition, structure, size, proximity to other patches of vegetation, and suc-
cession and disturbance processes), aquatic habitat conditions, and road density. Adapted from USDA and USDI (2000a).
4 Information and Technology Report USGS/BRD/IT-2002-0003
Processes Structure/composition Biodiversity
Natural
disturbance:
pest, wind, fire,
volcanism,
earthquakes
Terrestrial habitat
populations:
Vegetation © sage grouse
development: ; Landscape/ e other TESPC species*
growth, regeneration, | watershed: © common species
seed source, site 1 © patch size
availability, edge density
succession patch shape Aggregate Aquatic habitat
juxtaposition indicators: populations:
Other ecosystem patch diversity e abundance © anadromous fish
diversity of ¢ amphibians
processes: hydrology, types ¢ narrowly endemic
sntutorriaegnet, cpyrcilimnagr,y cparrobdoucnt ivity, | Microsite: e jandscape fish
connectivity
site productivity, ) © structure of
e seral-stage
trophic dynamics diversity Spores diversity:
efractal e habitat specialists
characteristics ° exotic annuals
Regional processes: characteristics of patches e rare species
climate, geology, invasive species e ‘weedy’ species
topography species e below-ground
composition
organisms
biological soil
crusts
Historical processes: soil stability, Foodweb/trophic
fire history, land uses compaction
structure
and chemistry
Human caused:
livestock grazing,
roads, unnatural fires,
fire suppression, dams . *TESPC = threatened, endangered,
: sensitive, proposed, and candidate species::
Fig. 2. Expanded conceptual model for habitats of arid ecosystems, showing measurable attributes that represent candidate indi-
cator variables. Natural and human-caused processes affect components of biological diversity through their effects on ecosys-
tem properties at several spatial scales. Adapted from Hemstrom et al. (1999).
This document presents a long-term research strategy gories of research emphases: 1) restoration; 2) rangeland
designed to address current and future research needs for health; 3) aquatic-terrestrial connections; 4) development
management of semiarid DOJ-administered ecosystems in of monitoring and evaluation protocols; and 5) species
the Intermountain West. Although the Research Plan and habitats at risk. Sections of the Plan that address
(hereafter, Plan) was developed in the context of the specific research needs of each DOI agency are listed in
Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project, Appendix A. The ultimate goal of the research strategy
the Plan addresses many high-priority issues facing land is to provide ideas for integrating emerging scientific
managers throughout the Intermountain West. Research understanding into future management in order to
needs in forested ecosystems are being addressed exten- ¢ Restore and maintain long-term ecosystem
sively by the U.S. Forest Service; therefore, scientists health and ecological integrity;
and managers at a joint meeting in June 1999 agreed
¢ Provide consistent management direction over
that this research strategy should focus particularly (but
broad spatial and temporal scales;
not exclusively) on rangelands.
At the request of the constituent agencies participat- ¢ Emphasize adaptive management over the
ing in the June 1999 meeting, the Plan contains five cate- long term;