The Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department offers grants for research on county open space lands each year. All proposals are reviewed by a team of resource specialists, and awarded research projects are monitored during their activities on open space. The following is a summary of a 2013 study conducted by Taylor Crow and Kristina Hufford from the University of Wyoming. Their project investigated mountain mahogany establishment.
Introduction
Rangeland restoration requires the successful establishment of vegetation propagated from seed. We seek to understand the factors that contribute to successful restoration of the shrub True Mountain Mahogany, (Cercocarpus montanus H.B.K.) (Rosaceae). We are investigating the effects of geographic origin, soil factors, and planting properties on seed germination and seedling establishment of this species in a transplant study established along a north-south transect from Wyoming to New Mexico. Results will contribute to the management of mountain mahogany shrublands by identifying the radius for collection of seed sources and environmental factors that are most likely to result in revegetation success.
Conclusions
Mountain Mahogany has become a recommended reclamation plant because of its widespread distribution, wildlife habitat value, and ability to grow in nutrient poor and rocky conditions. However, little research has been accomplished to understand planting requirements and environmental tolerance of this species. By comparing the performance between populations of different origin we can provide evidence to support best practices for seed sourcing when using this species for reclamation. Comparisons between disturbed and undisturbed sites will also result in recommendations to improve survival of mountain mahogany plantings, and will assist future reclamation activities throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Ultimately, the data collected from this transplant study will ensure that future reclamation of mountain mahogany shrublands will establish sustainable populations suited for site conditions, resulting in long-term reclamation success.
Call for 2015 Studies
The department is currently accepting proposals for 2015 funding. Two categories will be awardedgrants up to $5,000 and grants up to $10,000. The deadline for proposals is Monday, January 19. Department staff have identified priority needs for research including these topics:
- Design a long-term, riparian buffer management study on croplands, pasture and rangelands, utilizing a background literature review, and providing a recommended repeatable field study design for assessing riparian habitat conditions between croplands, pasture and rangelands with differing buffers.
- Study of post-flood vegetation recovery in affected BCPOS streams, primarily Boulder Creek, Coal Creek, Lefthand Creek and St. Vrain River stream corridors.
- Monarch butterfly inventory of breeding sites and milkweed mapping.
- Literature review looking into the impacts of recreational shooting on natural resources and impacts on local recreation and neighbors.
- General herptile assessment and mapping of hibernacula at Rabbit Mountain.
- Describe the impacts of forest management and slash disposal methods on long term plant community development.
- Describe dependencies of fire-caused, large tree mortality on basal duff accumulation.
Other research proposals will be accepted. For more details, visit the www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/research