David A Pyke
I am a scientist emeritus at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center. My research interests include population ecology of native and invasive plants in the Intermountain West, monitoring protocols for ecosystem integrity on wild lands, and restoration ecology of native plants on disturbed and invaded lands.
I am involved with a few of my former projects. I am completing the ten-year analysis of the SageSTEP sagebrush – cheatgrass sites. I plan to assist and continue to provide guidance to new scientists who are now leading this long-term project. I am providing guidance and insights for two other on-going projects - The Field of Sagebrush Dreams project and the Mojave grazing removal project. Field of Dreams is an attempt to transplant sagebrush and create patches of sagebrush that will be used by Greater Sage-grouse for nesting within 5 years of a fire removing sagebrush from former nesting sites. The Mojave project is examining vegetation changes after livestock grazing was removed from locations on the Mojave National Preserve 20 years ago. Amongst these interests, my wife and I plan to travel in our teardrop trailer and see other landscapes in the US and Canada and to travel internationally to enjoy new cultures. In addition, we plan to make regular visits to our home in Honolulu.
Professional Experience
1996 – 2021: Supervisory Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR
1996 – 1999: Assistant Center Director, U.S. Geological Survey, Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR
1993 – 1996: Research Rangeland Ecologist, National Biological Survey/Service, Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR
1992 – 1993: Research Rangeland Ecologist, Bureau of Land Management, Pacific Forest & Basin Rangeland Systems Cooperative Research & Technology Unit, Corvallis, OR
1987 – 1992: Assistant Professor, Department of Range Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Botany, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (1983)
M.S., Forest and Range Management, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (1977)
B.S., Range Management (Wildlife option), Washington State University, Pullman, WA (1976)
Affiliations and Memberships*
Ecological Society of America
British Ecological Society
Society for Ecological Restoration
Society for Range Management
Science and Products
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Rangeland health attributes and indicators for qualitative assessment
Assessing rangelands
Born of fire - restoring sagebrush steppe
Strategic plan for the Coordinated Intermountain Restoration Project
Research plan for lands administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Interior Columbia Basin and Snake River Plateau
Ramet spacing of Elymus lanceolatus (thickspike wheatgrass) in response to neighbour density
Effects of nutrient patches and root systems on the clonal plasticity of a rhizomatous grass
Demographic and growth responses of a guerrilla and a phalanx perennial grass in competitive mixtures
An enthusiast's guide to agrostology
Variability in seed dormancy of three Pacific Northwestern grasses
Perception of neighboring plants by rhizomes and roots: Morphological manifestations of a clonal plant
Mixed-density designs for evaluating plant interactions during revegetation
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Rangeland health attributes and indicators for qualitative assessment
Assessing rangelands
Born of fire - restoring sagebrush steppe
Strategic plan for the Coordinated Intermountain Restoration Project
Research plan for lands administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Interior Columbia Basin and Snake River Plateau
Ramet spacing of Elymus lanceolatus (thickspike wheatgrass) in response to neighbour density
Effects of nutrient patches and root systems on the clonal plasticity of a rhizomatous grass
Demographic and growth responses of a guerrilla and a phalanx perennial grass in competitive mixtures
An enthusiast's guide to agrostology
Variability in seed dormancy of three Pacific Northwestern grasses
Perception of neighboring plants by rhizomes and roots: Morphological manifestations of a clonal plant
Mixed-density designs for evaluating plant interactions during revegetation
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government