Assessing spatial and temporal patterns in sagebrush steppe vegetation communities 2012-2018: Grand Teton National Park
Visual cover class data were collected on over 80 species across 30 permanent sampling frames in sagebrush steppe vegetation communities in Grand Teton National Park from 2012 to 2018. In this report, temporal and spatial patterns in species composition were assessed and used to inform potential sampling strategies for future monitoring. Specifically, the viability of a reduction in sampling effort was evaluated based on the similarity in species composition within each frame over time and among frames within each year.
Using distance-based ordination techniques, we found little to no evidence of differences in species composition within each frame over time. Furthermore, there was little evidence of heterogeneity in species composition among frames within each year, though there was some evidence of differences in composition between the two principle sagebrush community types (sagebrush dry shrubland and sagebrush-bitterbrush) aggregated across frames. Based on these results, we propose that a reduction in sampling effort is viable and suggest a new monitoring schedule.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2019 |
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Title | Assessing spatial and temporal patterns in sagebrush steppe vegetation communities 2012-2018: Grand Teton National Park |
Authors | Christian Stratton, Andrew Hoegh, Kathryn M. Irvine, Kristin Legg, Kelly McCloskey, Erin K. Shanahan, Mike Tercek, David Thoma |
Publication Type | Report |
Publication Subtype | Federal Government Series |
Series Title | Natural Resource Report |
Series Number | NPS/GRYN/NRR-2019/2020 |
Index ID | 70224313 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center |