Self-revegetation of disturbed ground in the deserts of Nevada and Washington

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Northwest Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6304116

Rickard, W H; Sauer, R H

Plant cover established without purposeful soil preparation or seeding was measured on ground disturbed by plowing in Washington and by aboveground nuclear explosions in Nevada. After a time lapse of three decades in Washington and two decades in Nevada, fewer species were self-established on the disturbed ground than the nearby undisturbed ground. Alien annual plants were the dominants on the disturbed ground. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) dominated abandoned fields in Washington, and filaree (Erodium cicutarium) dominated disturbed ground in Nevada. Perennial grasses and shrubs appeared to be more successful as invaders in Nevada than in Washington. This distinction is attributed to the superior competitive ability of cheatgrass in Washington.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6304116
• Journal Information: Northwest Sci.; (United States), Vol. 56:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DESERTS
REVEGETATION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISTURBANCES
ECOLOGY
GRASS
GROUND COVER
NEVADA
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
POPULATIONS
SHRUBS
SOILS
WASHINGTON
ARID LANDS
EXPLOSIONS
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION X
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
USA
510100* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)