UCBN Webinars

Sagebrush Steppe

Operationalizing resilience and resistance concepts for conservation of sagebrush ecosystems in US national parks
Join UCBN ecologist Tom Rodhouse and UCBN data manager Jeff Lonneker to learn about how the NPS can better approach conservation of sagebrush steppe by integrating the concepts of ecosystem resilience to fire and resistance to annual grass invasion into park resource management and fire management operational plans. There are results from several new studies that will be shared and some planning strategies to discuss in advance of next steps which include technical assistance from regional fire management planners.

Lemhi Penstemon

UCBN Lemhi Penstemon Genetic Diversity and Long-term Demographic Monitoring at BIHO
Join geneticists from Ohio State University to learn about the genetic diversity of Lemhi penstemon in Big Hole NB and across the endemic range of this species in SW Montana and adjacent Lehmi County, Idaho. Tom Rodhouse, UCBN ecologist, will also provide an update on long-term monitoring of Lehmi penstemon demography (survival and mortality rates) in Big Hole NB and discuss how prescribed fire and spring weather patterns (particularly draught conditions) affect the species. How these studies influence long-term conservation of Lemhi penstemon and next steps for collaborative conservation across the region will be discussed.

Early Invasive Detection

Early Detection of Invasive Species and Novel Species within UCBN Parks
UCBN I&M fieldwork takes our crews to remote portions of Parks not frequently visited. This boots-on-the-ground approach enables early detection of novel species, recent invaders, and interesting discoveries within Parks. Join Melissa Nicolli, UCBN vegetation crew lead, to learn about the importance of early detection and some key discoveries within UCBN Parks. And Jeff Lonneker, UCBN data manager, will showcase the UCBN’s invasive weed viewer app and its role in facilitating rapid response to early detection of invasive species in Parks.

Limber Pine

Limber pine monitoring at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Limber pines, like other white pines, are facing unprecedented threats due to changes in fire frequency and severity, insect and disease prevalence, and climate patterns. Join Devin Stucki, UCBN vegetation ecologist, for updates on lessons learned from nine years of monitoring limber pine woodlands in Craters of the Moon NM&P, including changes in stand structure and composition, impacts of pests and pathogens, main causes of mortality, and more. Devin will also discuss next steps in limber pine monitoring, provide an update on collaborative white pine monitoring across multiple I&M networks, and briefly describe other forest monitoring projects within UCBN.

Camas

Camas lily monitoring multi-year trend analysis and effect of harvest and fire at Weippe Prairie and Big Hole National Battlefield
Camas lily is a culturally and ecologically significant plant that has been a staple food source for indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Staff from Nez Perce National Historical Park, Big Hole National Battlefield, and UCBN I&M have been monitoring camas populations for 15 years! Devin Stucki will discuss the results of an analysis of this long-term camas monitoring data regarding trends in camas densities and the impacts of water deficit on camas growth and flowering. Devin will also discuss results from an experiment evaluating effects of simulated camas harvest and applied fire on camas plants at Weippe Prairie, and provide updates on other camas-related projects within the UCBN.

American Pika

American pika monitoring within lava landscapes and within talus slope environments in UCBN and KLMN Parks
Join Dr. Matt Shinderman, Oregon State University, to discuss the long-term pika monitoring work he’s been leading across several parks. The American pika, smallest member of the rabbit family, continues to be characterized as an indicator of ecosystem responses to changing climate in mountain environments. Despite that widespread perception, occupancy studies in both high-elevation and low-elevation habitats indicate the species appears to be persisting in many locations. Matt and his HERS Lab team at Oregon State University-Cascades in Bend OR have been collaborating with the UCBN and KLMN to conduct long-term monitoring of pika at four NPS units (CRLA, CRMO, LABE and LAVO) and one national monument administered by the US Forest Service (Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Oregon). The five monitoring sites feature lava landscapes (CRMO, LABE, NEWB) and talus slopes (CRLA, LAVO) that contain unique microhabitats (subsurface cold-air refugia) functionally “decoupled” from ambient climate conditions. Pika persistence in these areas supports other analyses suggesting the species may not be as vulnerable to extinction as previously thought, and also that low-elevation habitats may be important long-term refugia for pika.

Bats

North American Bat monitoring activities coordinated by the Northwestern Bat Hub at Oregon State University-Cascades
Bat populations in North America have been experiencing notable impacts from novel stressors such as the disease, White-nose Syndrome. In response, state and federal agencies, including the National Park Service, have developed the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) to monitor status and trends of bat populations throughout the country. Join Roger Rodriguez, the bat research and monitoring coordinator for the Northwestern Bat Hub within the Human and Ecosystem Resiliency and Sustainability Lab at Oregon State University-Cascades, as he discusses how the Northwestern Bat Hub is helping to inform conservation decision-making by leading bat research across the UCBN and neighboring networks (North Coast and Cascades Network and Klamath Network) in collaboration with state and federal agencies.