Historic Expansion of Western Juniper on Near-Relict Sites: A Dendroecological Approach

本研究将解释西部内陆地区西部杜松扩张的过程和控制因素。树木年轮信息、航空照片解释和实地侦察将用于比较在大范围的环境设置中，在半废弃和附近受干扰的地点，西部杜松的建立、覆盖、密度和生长率的变化。扩张过程将与气候变化、土地利用和大气中二氧化碳含量的增加有关。这项研究将记录西部杜松群落的世纪尺度环境变化，并将深入了解土地利用历史和气候变化如何影响生物系统。这项研究的结果将为太平洋西北地区牧场的管理决策提供信息。

The research will explain the processes and controls on expansion of western juniper in the interior West. Tree-ring information, air photo interpretation, and field reconnaissance will be used to compare changes in western juniper establishment, cover, density, and growth rates on both semi-relict and nearby disturbed sites over a wide range of environmental settings. Expansion processes will be related to changes in climate, land use, and increased levels of atmospheric CO2. The study will record century-scale environmental changes within the western juniper community and will provide insight into how land-use history and climate change can influence biotic systems. Management decision regarding range lands in the Pacific Northwest will be informed by the results of this research.