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David Pyke
Ph.D., 1983, Washington State University, Pullman Office/Lab: FSL 166/131 |
Population biology and restoration ecology of arid and semiarid plants in the Intermountain West and development of protocols to assess status of rangelands.
Little is known about the basic demographic characteristics of many native species that dominate plant communities in the Intermountain West. In addition, many of these plant communities have deteriorated to such an extent that exotic weedy plants now dominate. My research program focuses understanding the germination, establishment, survival and reproduction of native plants and of invasive exotic plants.
These basic demographic parameters are measured relative to typical climatic fluctuations and land use practices (e.g., grazing, prescribed and wild fires, herbicide applications). To better understand the restoration potential of deteriorated lands, we are investigating the seedling establishment potential of seeded versus transplanted individuals of native grasses and forbs. Data gathered from field experiments are used to populate predictive demographic models.
Status of ecosystems is often difficult to consistently evaluate. Using both qualitative and quantitative indicators of soil stability, hydrologic function and biotic integrity, I am collaborating with other scientists to develop protocols for use by federal agencies to determine status of rangeland ecosystems in the United States.
Upekala Wijayratne (PhD expected 2009)
Pellant, M., P. Shaver, D.A. Pyke , and J.E. Herrick. 2005. Interpreting indicators of rangeland health, version 4. Interagency Technical Reference 1734-6, USDI, Bureau of Land Management, National Science and Technology Center, Information and Communications Group, Denver, CO.
Pyke, D.A. and S.T. Knick. 2005. Plant invaders, global change and landscape restoration. African Journal of Range and Forage Science 22: 73-83.
Beever, E.A., Huso, M., Pyke, D.A. 2006. Multiscale responses of soil stability and invasive plants to removal of non-native grazers from an arid conservation reserve: Diversity and Distributions 12:258-268.
Wirth, T.A. and D.A. Pyke. 2007. Monitoring post-fire vegetation rehabilitation projects - a common approach for non-forested ecosystems. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigation Report 2006-5048, 36p.
Ponzetti, J., McCune, B., Pyke, D.A. . 2007. Biotic soil crusts in relation to topography, cheatgrass, and fire in the Columbia Basin, Washington. Bryologist 4:706-722.
Hempy-Mayer, K. Pyke, D.A. 2008. Defoliation effects on Bromus tectorum seed production: implications for grazing. Rangeland Ecology and Management 61:116-123.
Meinke, C.W., Knick, S.T., Pyke, D.A. 2008. A spatial model to prioritize sagebrush landscapes in the intermountain west ( U.S.A. ) for restoration. Restoration Ecology IN PRESS.
