Obtain expanded data on native vegetation before the introduction of livestock. Investigators analyzed pollen cores preserved in lake/marsh deposits to gain a perspective on plant life and climatic conditions before the introduction of domestic livestock.

Develop and test geospatial modeling tools to predict:
Fuel loading as fire suppression efforts over the past 100 years have resulted in tremendous fuel accumulation in many areas of the Intermountain west. As evidenced by the wildfire season of 2000, fire suppression is not sustainable. In the present situation, under the correct climatic conditions, fires will ignite and burn the accumulated fuel load at a severity and intensity perhaps never before witnessed in this region.Identifying areas most susceptible to wildfire is a critical first step to manage this problem.

Post-fire landslide risk and stream sediment loading

Wildfire and grazing effects on riparian areas. Investigators will use high spatial resolution hyperspectral imagery and field studies to link watershed condition to stream channel morphology, sediment transport, and biotic condition.

Promote and disseminate holistically integrated research findings to the regional community, land managers, land stewards, and policy makers. Frequently, one shortcoming of scientific research is the lack of clear communication of results to decision-makers and stakeholders. Investigators will address this problem by making the results of the research and interpretations of these results freely available via the Internet and other publications.