SlideShare una empresa de Scribd logo
1 de 15
Using geospatial environmental 
characteristics to determine plant 
community resilience to fire and 
fire surrogate treatments 
Nathan Cline, Bruce Roundy, William Christensen, and 
Chris Balzotti
The Big Question: Will 
cheatgrass dominate if we 
treat sagebrush or 
woodlands? 
Cheatgrass Cover 
Before 
Treatment 
After Treatment 
High High 
Low ? 
Perennial Grass 
Cover 
Cheatgrass cover 
• Identify the site and climate characteristics that 
influence cover
Project objective and 
proposed products 
• Create models of cheatgrass and 
perennial grass cover using site and 
climate characteristics. 
• Develop tools for land managers to 
use in predicting the probability of 
cheatgrass at other sites. 
• A field guide 
• A geospatial map
Sites: Trees Mechanically 
Shredded
Data 
Vegetation cover 
• Cheatgrass 
• Perennial grass 
• Sagebrush 
• Perennial Forbs 
Site Characteristics 
• Bioclim and 
ClimateWNA 
• Aspect, slope, 
elevation, geospatial 
coordinates, solar 
radiation 
• Treatment and 
woodland 
encroachment phase
Climate Variables 
Annual Mean Temperature 
Mean Diurnal Range (Mean of monthly (max temp - min temp)) 
Isothermality 
Temperature Seasonality (standard deviation *100) 
Max Temperature of Warmest Month 
Min Temperature of Coldest Month 
Temperature Annual Range 
Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter 
Mean Temperature of Driest Quarter 
Mean Temperature of Warmest Quarter 
Mean Temperature of Coldest Quarter 
Annual Precipitation 
Precipitation of Wettest Month 
Precipitation of Driest Month 
Precipitation Seasonality (Coefficient of Variation) 
Precipitation of Wettest Quarter 
Precipitation of Driest Quarter 
Precipitation of Warmest Quarter 
Precipitation of Coldest Quarter 
Continentality (°C) 
Mean annual precipitation (mm) 
Mean summer (May to Sep) precipitation (mm) 
Annual heat moisture index 
Summer heat moisture index 
Degree-days below 0°C (chilling degree days) 
Degree-days above 5°C (growing degree days) 
The number of frost-free days 
The julian date on which the frost-free period begins 
The julian date on which the frost-free period ends 
Precipitation as snow (mm) 
Extreme minimum temperature over 30 years (°C) 
Hargreave's reference evaporation 
Hargreave's climatic moisture index 
Hogg's climate moisture index 
Hogg's summer (Jun to Aug) climate moisture index 
Winter (Dec to Feb) mean temperature (°C) 
Summer (Jun to Aug) mean temperature (°C) 
Winter (Dec to Feb) precipitation (mm) 
Summer (Jun to Aug) precipitation (mm)
Analysis 
• Spatial Regression Analysis – space is 
only important within sites 
• Canonical correlation and step-wise 
regression analyses 
• Canonical correspondence analysis 
(CCA) 
• Random forest analysis 
Analysis was done on the subplot scale (6 to 24 subplots 
per site) – 450 subplots
Canonical Correlation and 
Step-wise regression 
R2 VALUES 
Run Cheat Sage P Grass P Forbs avgR2 numterms 
0 0.555 0.684 0.67 0.526 0.60875 
1 0.555 0.684 0.67 0.526 0.60875 
6 0.552 0.682 0.667 0.521 0.6055 
11 0.535 0.669 0.644 0.508 0.589 24 
16 0.47 0.65 0.564 0.39 0.5185 19 
21 0.363 0.609 0.551 0.377 0.475 14 
25 0.336 0.54 0.4879 0.2651 0.40725 10 
26 0.328 0.54 0.4727 0.262 0.400675 9 
27 0.318 0.54 0.469 0.202 0.38225 8 
28 0.2758 0.5198 0.466 0.169 0.35765 7 
29 0.272 0.475 0.4661 0.136 0.337275 6 
30 0.269 0.474 0.462 0.095 0.325 5 Elevation MeanAnnTem MTWM mTCM PWQ 
31 0.1985 0.4288 0.4387 0.0945 0.290125 4 Elevation MeanAnnTem MTWM PWQ 
• Need at last 24 characteristics to achieve > 50% 
• P. grass and sagebrush need fewer site characterizes 
than cheatgrass and forbs
Perennial grass vs. cheatgrass 
cover 
Perennial grass Cheatgrass 
Axis 1 Axis 2 Axis 3 
P = 0.01 
Variance in cover data 
% of variance explained 54.8 11.9 2.5 
Cumulative % explained 54.8 66.7 69.2 
Pearson Correlation 0.890 0.724 0.562 
Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) 
• Cover data included: Perennial grass, cheatgrass, 
perennial forbs, & sagebrush 
• Site characteristics: aspect, slope, elevation, and 30 
climate variables
Sagebrush and Forbs 
Sagebrush cover is similar to perennial grass
Random Forest Analysis
Random Forest Analysis
Probability of 
cheatgrass 
8 predictor variables 
included 
Whiter shades = 
higher probability 
Darker shades = 
lower probability
Future Analysis: Structural 
Equation Modelling
Conclusions 
• Our analyses explained between 50-70% 
of variation among the four cover 
classes. 
• Cheatgrass requires up to 24 variables 
to explain > 50% of variability. 
• Isothermality, temperature and 
precipitation during warm and dry 
periods, elevation, and solar radiation 
may all be important predictors. 
• Geospatial maps are coming…

Más contenido relacionado

Similar a Using Geospatial Environmental Characteristics to Determine Plant Community Resilience to Fire and Fire Surrogate Treatments

2013 GISCO Track, Wildfire and Water: Utilizing LANDSAT imagery, GIS, and Sta...
2013 GISCO Track, Wildfire and Water: Utilizing LANDSAT imagery, GIS, and Sta...2013 GISCO Track, Wildfire and Water: Utilizing LANDSAT imagery, GIS, and Sta...
2013 GISCO Track, Wildfire and Water: Utilizing LANDSAT imagery, GIS, and Sta...
GIS in the Rockies
 
AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez[1]
AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez[1]AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez[1]
AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez[1]
Sabina Osman
 
Michael Hutchinson_Topographic-dependent modelling of surface climate for ear...
Michael Hutchinson_Topographic-dependent modelling of surface climate for ear...Michael Hutchinson_Topographic-dependent modelling of surface climate for ear...
Michael Hutchinson_Topographic-dependent modelling of surface climate for ear...
TERN Australia
 

Similar a Using Geospatial Environmental Characteristics to Determine Plant Community Resilience to Fire and Fire Surrogate Treatments (20)

Ziegler_Thesispptv2
Ziegler_Thesispptv2Ziegler_Thesispptv2
Ziegler_Thesispptv2
 
A parametrization approach to estimate erodibility on undisturbed and disturb...
A parametrization approach to estimate erodibility on undisturbed and disturb...A parametrization approach to estimate erodibility on undisturbed and disturb...
A parametrization approach to estimate erodibility on undisturbed and disturb...
 
A parametrization approach to estimate erodibility
A parametrization approach to estimate erodibilityA parametrization approach to estimate erodibility
A parametrization approach to estimate erodibility
 
Masters Thesis Defense Presentation
Masters Thesis Defense PresentationMasters Thesis Defense Presentation
Masters Thesis Defense Presentation
 
PhD Confirmation of Candidature
PhD Confirmation of CandidaturePhD Confirmation of Candidature
PhD Confirmation of Candidature
 
2013 GISCO Track, Wildfire and Water: Utilizing LANDSAT imagery, GIS, and Sta...
2013 GISCO Track, Wildfire and Water: Utilizing LANDSAT imagery, GIS, and Sta...2013 GISCO Track, Wildfire and Water: Utilizing LANDSAT imagery, GIS, and Sta...
2013 GISCO Track, Wildfire and Water: Utilizing LANDSAT imagery, GIS, and Sta...
 
Remote sensing of biological soil crusts
Remote sensing of biological soil crustsRemote sensing of biological soil crusts
Remote sensing of biological soil crusts
 
Climate and crop modeling by Gummadi Sridhar,Gizachew Legesse,Pauline Chiveng...
Climate and crop modeling by Gummadi Sridhar,Gizachew Legesse,Pauline Chiveng...Climate and crop modeling by Gummadi Sridhar,Gizachew Legesse,Pauline Chiveng...
Climate and crop modeling by Gummadi Sridhar,Gizachew Legesse,Pauline Chiveng...
 
Coweeta ppt cd_ms
Coweeta ppt cd_msCoweeta ppt cd_ms
Coweeta ppt cd_ms
 
AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez[1]
AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez[1]AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez[1]
AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez[1]
 
AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez
AAG San Francisco 2016 HernandezAAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez
AAG San Francisco 2016 Hernandez
 
Workshop crop suitability modeling GMS
Workshop crop suitability modeling GMSWorkshop crop suitability modeling GMS
Workshop crop suitability modeling GMS
 
15º Simpósio sobre Análise de Sistemas em Recursos Florestais - SSAFR
15º Simpósio sobre Análise de Sistemas em Recursos Florestais - SSAFR15º Simpósio sobre Análise de Sistemas em Recursos Florestais - SSAFR
15º Simpósio sobre Análise de Sistemas em Recursos Florestais - SSAFR
 
Morris highres asprs_pecora_final
Morris highres asprs_pecora_finalMorris highres asprs_pecora_final
Morris highres asprs_pecora_final
 
Zweifel, Roman: Variability in annual tree growth – how much determination of...
Zweifel, Roman: Variability in annual tree growth – how much determination of...Zweifel, Roman: Variability in annual tree growth – how much determination of...
Zweifel, Roman: Variability in annual tree growth – how much determination of...
 
TERN Australian Transect Network ATBC 2014
TERN Australian Transect Network ATBC 2014TERN Australian Transect Network ATBC 2014
TERN Australian Transect Network ATBC 2014
 
Climate Modeling for the Asia-Pacific
Climate Modeling for the Asia-PacificClimate Modeling for the Asia-Pacific
Climate Modeling for the Asia-Pacific
 
Extending rhem from hillslopes to watersheds
Extending rhem from hillslopes to watershedsExtending rhem from hillslopes to watersheds
Extending rhem from hillslopes to watersheds
 
TUgis2010 Conference Presentation
TUgis2010 Conference PresentationTUgis2010 Conference Presentation
TUgis2010 Conference Presentation
 
Michael Hutchinson_Topographic-dependent modelling of surface climate for ear...
Michael Hutchinson_Topographic-dependent modelling of surface climate for ear...Michael Hutchinson_Topographic-dependent modelling of surface climate for ear...
Michael Hutchinson_Topographic-dependent modelling of surface climate for ear...
 

Más de Utah Section Society for Range Management

Más de Utah Section Society for Range Management (20)

Long-term Vegetation Change in Utah's Henry Mountains: A Study in Repeat Phot...
Long-term Vegetation Change in Utah's Henry Mountains: A Study in Repeat Phot...Long-term Vegetation Change in Utah's Henry Mountains: A Study in Repeat Phot...
Long-term Vegetation Change in Utah's Henry Mountains: A Study in Repeat Phot...
 
Sagebrush Seedling Recruitment Following Tebuthiuron Application
Sagebrush Seedling Recruitment Following Tebuthiuron ApplicationSagebrush Seedling Recruitment Following Tebuthiuron Application
Sagebrush Seedling Recruitment Following Tebuthiuron Application
 
Monroe Mountain Aspen
Monroe Mountain Aspen Monroe Mountain Aspen
Monroe Mountain Aspen
 
The Costs and Benefits of Using Grazing as a Management Tool to Control Phrag...
The Costs and Benefits of Using Grazing as a Management Tool to Control Phrag...The Costs and Benefits of Using Grazing as a Management Tool to Control Phrag...
The Costs and Benefits of Using Grazing as a Management Tool to Control Phrag...
 
Development of a PCR-Based Method for Detection of Delphinium spp. in Poisone...
Development of a PCR-Based Method for Detection of Delphinium spp. in Poisone...Development of a PCR-Based Method for Detection of Delphinium spp. in Poisone...
Development of a PCR-Based Method for Detection of Delphinium spp. in Poisone...
 
Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative
Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative
Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative
 
The Effect of Water Development on Bats
The Effect of Water Development on Bats The Effect of Water Development on Bats
The Effect of Water Development on Bats
 
Effect of Fire and Herbivory on Tree Size Transitions in Acacia Drepanol
Effect of Fire and Herbivory on Tree Size Transitions in Acacia DrepanolEffect of Fire and Herbivory on Tree Size Transitions in Acacia Drepanol
Effect of Fire and Herbivory on Tree Size Transitions in Acacia Drepanol
 
Annual Grazing on the Grand Staircase
Annual Grazing on the Grand Staircase Annual Grazing on the Grand Staircase
Annual Grazing on the Grand Staircase
 
The Effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle on Forest Rangeland Systems
The Effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle on Forest Rangeland SystemsThe Effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle on Forest Rangeland Systems
The Effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle on Forest Rangeland Systems
 
Benefits/Tradeoffs of Fuel Control Treatments
Benefits/Tradeoffs of Fuel Control Treatments Benefits/Tradeoffs of Fuel Control Treatments
Benefits/Tradeoffs of Fuel Control Treatments
 
Making Connections: How SageSTEP Connects Scientists and Managers
Making Connections: How SageSTEP Connects Scientists and ManagersMaking Connections: How SageSTEP Connects Scientists and Managers
Making Connections: How SageSTEP Connects Scientists and Managers
 
Sage Grouse Seasonal Movements and Utah's SGMAs
Sage Grouse Seasonal Movements and Utah's SGMAsSage Grouse Seasonal Movements and Utah's SGMAs
Sage Grouse Seasonal Movements and Utah's SGMAs
 
Young, Ambitious, and Completely Lost on How To Advance in Your Profession: S...
Young, Ambitious, and Completely Lost on How To Advance in Your Profession: S...Young, Ambitious, and Completely Lost on How To Advance in Your Profession: S...
Young, Ambitious, and Completely Lost on How To Advance in Your Profession: S...
 
Kay henry mtn repeat photo
Kay henry mtn repeat photoKay henry mtn repeat photo
Kay henry mtn repeat photo
 
Greater Sage Grouse Response to Season-long and Prescribed Rotational Livesto...
Greater Sage Grouse Response to Season-long and Prescribed Rotational Livesto...Greater Sage Grouse Response to Season-long and Prescribed Rotational Livesto...
Greater Sage Grouse Response to Season-long and Prescribed Rotational Livesto...
 
Aspen Intake and Preference by Sheep: Implications for Herbivory and Aspen De...
Aspen Intake and Preference by Sheep: Implications for Herbivory and Aspen De...Aspen Intake and Preference by Sheep: Implications for Herbivory and Aspen De...
Aspen Intake and Preference by Sheep: Implications for Herbivory and Aspen De...
 
Mitigation of Larkspur Poisoning on Rangelands Through the Selection of Cattle
Mitigation of Larkspur Poisoning on Rangelands Through the Selection of Cattle Mitigation of Larkspur Poisoning on Rangelands Through the Selection of Cattle
Mitigation of Larkspur Poisoning on Rangelands Through the Selection of Cattle
 
The Effect of Large Fire on Aspen Recruitment
The Effect of Large Fire on Aspen Recruitment The Effect of Large Fire on Aspen Recruitment
The Effect of Large Fire on Aspen Recruitment
 
Grazing Improvement Program Grazing Principles
Grazing Improvement Program Grazing Principles Grazing Improvement Program Grazing Principles
Grazing Improvement Program Grazing Principles
 

Último

Gardella_PRCampaignConclusion Pitch Letter
Gardella_PRCampaignConclusion Pitch LetterGardella_PRCampaignConclusion Pitch Letter
Gardella_PRCampaignConclusion Pitch Letter
MateoGardella
 
An Overview of Mutual Funds Bcom Project.pdf
An Overview of Mutual Funds Bcom Project.pdfAn Overview of Mutual Funds Bcom Project.pdf
An Overview of Mutual Funds Bcom Project.pdf
SanaAli374401
 
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi 6.pdf
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi  6.pdf1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi  6.pdf
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi 6.pdf
QucHHunhnh
 
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptxThe basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
heathfieldcps1
 
1029 - Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
1029 -  Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf1029 -  Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
1029 - Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
QucHHunhnh
 

Último (20)

psychiatric nursing HISTORY COLLECTION .docx
psychiatric  nursing HISTORY  COLLECTION  .docxpsychiatric  nursing HISTORY  COLLECTION  .docx
psychiatric nursing HISTORY COLLECTION .docx
 
Gardella_PRCampaignConclusion Pitch Letter
Gardella_PRCampaignConclusion Pitch LetterGardella_PRCampaignConclusion Pitch Letter
Gardella_PRCampaignConclusion Pitch Letter
 
An Overview of Mutual Funds Bcom Project.pdf
An Overview of Mutual Funds Bcom Project.pdfAn Overview of Mutual Funds Bcom Project.pdf
An Overview of Mutual Funds Bcom Project.pdf
 
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: The Basics of Prompt Design"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: The Basics of Prompt Design"Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: The Basics of Prompt Design"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: The Basics of Prompt Design"
 
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdfKey note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
 
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi 6.pdf
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi  6.pdf1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi  6.pdf
1029-Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa khoi 6.pdf
 
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SDMeasures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
Measures of Dispersion and Variability: Range, QD, AD and SD
 
Accessible design: Minimum effort, maximum impact
Accessible design: Minimum effort, maximum impactAccessible design: Minimum effort, maximum impact
Accessible design: Minimum effort, maximum impact
 
Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...
Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...
Explore beautiful and ugly buildings. Mathematics helps us create beautiful d...
 
Unit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptx
Unit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptxUnit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptx
Unit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptx
 
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Structured Data, Assistants, & RAG"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Structured Data, Assistants, & RAG"Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Structured Data, Assistants, & RAG"
Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: Structured Data, Assistants, & RAG"
 
PROCESS RECORDING FORMAT.docx
PROCESS      RECORDING        FORMAT.docxPROCESS      RECORDING        FORMAT.docx
PROCESS RECORDING FORMAT.docx
 
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdfWeb & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
Web & Social Media Analytics Previous Year Question Paper.pdf
 
Z Score,T Score, Percential Rank and Box Plot Graph
Z Score,T Score, Percential Rank and Box Plot GraphZ Score,T Score, Percential Rank and Box Plot Graph
Z Score,T Score, Percential Rank and Box Plot Graph
 
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptxThe basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
 
1029 - Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
1029 -  Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf1029 -  Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
1029 - Danh muc Sach Giao Khoa 10 . pdf
 
INDIA QUIZ 2024 RLAC DELHI UNIVERSITY.pptx
INDIA QUIZ 2024 RLAC DELHI UNIVERSITY.pptxINDIA QUIZ 2024 RLAC DELHI UNIVERSITY.pptx
INDIA QUIZ 2024 RLAC DELHI UNIVERSITY.pptx
 
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
 
Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptxBasic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
 
Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024
Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024
Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024
 

Using Geospatial Environmental Characteristics to Determine Plant Community Resilience to Fire and Fire Surrogate Treatments

  • 1. Using geospatial environmental characteristics to determine plant community resilience to fire and fire surrogate treatments Nathan Cline, Bruce Roundy, William Christensen, and Chris Balzotti
  • 2. The Big Question: Will cheatgrass dominate if we treat sagebrush or woodlands? Cheatgrass Cover Before Treatment After Treatment High High Low ? Perennial Grass Cover Cheatgrass cover • Identify the site and climate characteristics that influence cover
  • 3. Project objective and proposed products • Create models of cheatgrass and perennial grass cover using site and climate characteristics. • Develop tools for land managers to use in predicting the probability of cheatgrass at other sites. • A field guide • A geospatial map
  • 5. Data Vegetation cover • Cheatgrass • Perennial grass • Sagebrush • Perennial Forbs Site Characteristics • Bioclim and ClimateWNA • Aspect, slope, elevation, geospatial coordinates, solar radiation • Treatment and woodland encroachment phase
  • 6. Climate Variables Annual Mean Temperature Mean Diurnal Range (Mean of monthly (max temp - min temp)) Isothermality Temperature Seasonality (standard deviation *100) Max Temperature of Warmest Month Min Temperature of Coldest Month Temperature Annual Range Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter Mean Temperature of Driest Quarter Mean Temperature of Warmest Quarter Mean Temperature of Coldest Quarter Annual Precipitation Precipitation of Wettest Month Precipitation of Driest Month Precipitation Seasonality (Coefficient of Variation) Precipitation of Wettest Quarter Precipitation of Driest Quarter Precipitation of Warmest Quarter Precipitation of Coldest Quarter Continentality (°C) Mean annual precipitation (mm) Mean summer (May to Sep) precipitation (mm) Annual heat moisture index Summer heat moisture index Degree-days below 0°C (chilling degree days) Degree-days above 5°C (growing degree days) The number of frost-free days The julian date on which the frost-free period begins The julian date on which the frost-free period ends Precipitation as snow (mm) Extreme minimum temperature over 30 years (°C) Hargreave's reference evaporation Hargreave's climatic moisture index Hogg's climate moisture index Hogg's summer (Jun to Aug) climate moisture index Winter (Dec to Feb) mean temperature (°C) Summer (Jun to Aug) mean temperature (°C) Winter (Dec to Feb) precipitation (mm) Summer (Jun to Aug) precipitation (mm)
  • 7. Analysis • Spatial Regression Analysis – space is only important within sites • Canonical correlation and step-wise regression analyses • Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) • Random forest analysis Analysis was done on the subplot scale (6 to 24 subplots per site) – 450 subplots
  • 8. Canonical Correlation and Step-wise regression R2 VALUES Run Cheat Sage P Grass P Forbs avgR2 numterms 0 0.555 0.684 0.67 0.526 0.60875 1 0.555 0.684 0.67 0.526 0.60875 6 0.552 0.682 0.667 0.521 0.6055 11 0.535 0.669 0.644 0.508 0.589 24 16 0.47 0.65 0.564 0.39 0.5185 19 21 0.363 0.609 0.551 0.377 0.475 14 25 0.336 0.54 0.4879 0.2651 0.40725 10 26 0.328 0.54 0.4727 0.262 0.400675 9 27 0.318 0.54 0.469 0.202 0.38225 8 28 0.2758 0.5198 0.466 0.169 0.35765 7 29 0.272 0.475 0.4661 0.136 0.337275 6 30 0.269 0.474 0.462 0.095 0.325 5 Elevation MeanAnnTem MTWM mTCM PWQ 31 0.1985 0.4288 0.4387 0.0945 0.290125 4 Elevation MeanAnnTem MTWM PWQ • Need at last 24 characteristics to achieve > 50% • P. grass and sagebrush need fewer site characterizes than cheatgrass and forbs
  • 9. Perennial grass vs. cheatgrass cover Perennial grass Cheatgrass Axis 1 Axis 2 Axis 3 P = 0.01 Variance in cover data % of variance explained 54.8 11.9 2.5 Cumulative % explained 54.8 66.7 69.2 Pearson Correlation 0.890 0.724 0.562 Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) • Cover data included: Perennial grass, cheatgrass, perennial forbs, & sagebrush • Site characteristics: aspect, slope, elevation, and 30 climate variables
  • 10. Sagebrush and Forbs Sagebrush cover is similar to perennial grass
  • 13. Probability of cheatgrass 8 predictor variables included Whiter shades = higher probability Darker shades = lower probability
  • 14. Future Analysis: Structural Equation Modelling
  • 15. Conclusions • Our analyses explained between 50-70% of variation among the four cover classes. • Cheatgrass requires up to 24 variables to explain > 50% of variability. • Isothermality, temperature and precipitation during warm and dry periods, elevation, and solar radiation may all be important predictors. • Geospatial maps are coming…

Notas del editor

  1. When treating vegetation in sagebrush step communities, the question is always “ will I get cheatgrass
  2. Talk about the range of variation in these sites
  3. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) The ordination was significant P=0.01 locations: Utah shred data at 470 subplots (42 sites). Both diagrams are illustrations of the same ordination. Perennial grass, cheatgrass, perennial forb, and sagebrush cover data where included to create the ordination. Triangle size: The larger the triangle the higher relative perennial grass and cheatgrass cover. Most influential characteristics (correlation values > 0.5): Elevation, solar radiation, precipitation of the wetter quarter of the year, precipitation of the driest month, mean temperature of the driest quarter of the year. Isothermal: (mean monthly diurnal temperature range/annual temperature range)*100 = an indicator of temperature fluctuation Cheatgrass cover increases with increasing solar radiation and Isothermal percentage. Cheatgrass also appears to increase with decreasing elevation and precipitation during the wettest quarter of the year. Cheatgrass decreases with increasing precipitation during the driest month. The point on solar radiation fits Condon et al. 2011’s finding that increasing cheatgrass cover is associated with increasing solar radiation. Isothermal percentage - If we consider temperature a resource, this finding fits Davis 2001’s fluctuating resource hypothesis in that cheatgrass increases with increasing temperature fluctuation. Elevation and cheatgrass…. I’ll let you discuss chamber’s findings on the subject and how you feel about that. Perennial grass cover increases with increasing mean temperature during the driest quarter of the year and precipitation during driest month (extension of the growing season?). It decreases with increasing solar radiation and isothermal percentage.
  4. Although RF, a form of machine learning, has been around for some time, its use in ecological studies is relatively new (Cutler et al., 2007; Prasad et al., 2006).  RF uses bootstrap samples and a randomized subset of the predictor variables to create a series of classification trees (a forest) that predict species presence. These trees (typically over 500) are then combined for the final model prediction. R with the ModelMap package was used for this analysis