Robert S. Nowak, University of Nevada-Reno , Reno , NV 89557 (email: nowak@cabnr.unr.edu)

This multi-state research project focuses on Great Basin plant communities that have crossed an ecological threshold and are now dominated by the exotic invasive species cheatgrass. Cooperators include three universities and four government agencies. Primary funding for the project is provided by the USDA Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems Program. The study was replicated at eight locations across the Great Basin (see map). The study objective are to evaluate individually and collectively the competiveness of 25 native grasses with cheatgrass in an assisted succession approach to restoring a diverse native plant community (see bottom diagram). Additional information on this project's web site.