Mechanical Removal of Juniper and its Effects on Plant Diversity

The increase in density and distribution of juniper (Juniperus spp.) in sagebrush communities throughout the Western United States, primarily as a result of fire suppression and historic over-grazing, has raised concerns among land managers and ranchers due to the detrimental effects of juniper on livestock forage species, and wildlife habitat. Juniper may dominate sagebrush communities because it may decrease understory plant cover and is more proficient in accessing deep soil waters than common competitors in the area. The main objective of this study was to examine how removal of juniper by mechanical means may affect species richness and abundance of forbs in the immediate surrounding area. We estimated species richness and abundance of forbs in three treatments: live juniper, removed juniper (stump present with masticated juniper materials), and non-juniper (no live juniper tree or stump present). Removed juniper sites had 62% more species than live sites (

Opportunities and Challenges in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region

This Task Force focuses on three key areas that U.S. policies have to address in order to capitalize on opportunities and meet challenges in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region: 1. Political issues that require the U.S. to increase its presence in the region through deeper engagement with regional concerns; 2. Economic issues that call for the U.S. to expand its economic stakes and face the growing challenge posed by China’s expanding investments and projects in the region; and 3. Security issues that require the U.S. to counter China’s presence in the region and across the globe