Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
fungal causal agents, cheatgrass die-offs, Great Basin, Bromus tectorum
College
Life Sciences
Department
Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Abstract
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is one of the leading causes of premature wildfires in the Great Basin and is almost always the establishing species following a fire. Fire has historically been an important part of the Great Basin ecosystem however; disruptions of natural fire regimes have altered diversity of vegetation. Previously the natural fire regime consisted of fires occurring approximately 80 to 100 years apart. The current fire regime has been reduced to as little as 5 percent of that. Cheatgrass germinates and matures quickly, making it extremely competitive with native grasses and will continue to replace native species unless control measures are instituted.
Recommended Citation
Franke, JanaLynn and Geary, Dr. Brad
(2014)
"Identifying Fungal Causal Agents of Cheatgrass die-offs in the Great Basin,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 940.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/940