Contents
1. An Overview of the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership Science and
Research Synthesis..................................................................................................1
Jeanne C. Chambers, Matthew L. Brooks, Kent Turner,
Carol B. Raish, and Steven M. Ostoja
Management Challenge............................................................................................................ 1
Southern Nevada Agency Partnership...................................................................................... 1
Science and Research Strategy............................................................................................... 2
Science and Research Synthesis Report................................................................................. 9
Biophysical Setting of Southern Nevada................................................................................... 9
Cultural Setting....................................................................................................................... 11
Concepts for Management...................................................................................................... 12
2. Southern Nevada Ecosystem Stressors..................................................................17
Burton K. Pendleton, Jeanne C. Chambers, Mathew L. Brooks, and Steven M. Ostoja
Introduction............................................................................................................................. 17
Global Stressors..................................................................................................................... 18
Local and Regional Stressors................................................................................................. 19
Knowledge Gaps and Management Implications.................................................................... 31
3. Water and Water Use in Southern Nevada..............................................................37
Wayne R. Belcher, Michael J. Moran, and Megan E. Rogers
Introduction............................................................................................................................. 37
Study Area.............................................................................................................................. 37
Land Use................................................................................................................................. 38
Water Use............................................................................................................................... 38
Groundwater........................................................................................................................... 40
Surface Water......................................................................................................................... 45
Hydrologic and Water Quality Data Collection........................................................................ 50
Knowledge Gaps and Management Information..................................................................... 51
4. Invasive Species in Southern Nevada......................................................................59
Mathew L. Brooks, Steven M. Ostoja, and Jeanne C. Chambers
Introduction............................................................................................................................. 59
Overview of Invasive Species Management........................................................................... 60
Invasive Plants........................................................................................................................ 62
Invasive Animals..................................................................................................................... 65
Knowledge Gaps..................................................................................................................... 68
Management Implications....................................................................................................... 69
5. Fire History, Effects and Management in Southern Nevada...................................75
Mathew L. Brooks, Jeanne C. Chambers, and Randy A. McKinley
Introduction............................................................................................................................. 75
Fire History.............................................................................................................................. 75
Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Burning.............................................................................. 80
Fire Effects.............................................................................................................................. 83
Management Actions.............................................................................................................. 89
Knowledge Gaps..................................................................................................................... 91
Management Implications....................................................................................................... 92
6. Species of Conservation Concern and Environmental Stressors: Local
Regional and Global Effects...................................................................................97
Steven M. Ostoja, Mathew L. Brooks, Jeanne C. Chambers, and Burton K. Pendleton
Introduction............................................................................................................................. 97
Alpine and Bristlecone Pine Ecosystems................................................................................ 98
Mixed Conifer Ecosystem..................................................................................................... 100
Piñon Pine and Juniper Ecosystem...................................................................................... 102
Sagebrush Ecosystem.......................................................................................................... 104
Blackbrush and Shadscale Ecosystems............................................................................... 106
Mojave Desert Scrub Ecosystem.......................................................................................... 108
Desert (Mojave Lowland) Riparian Ecosystem......................................................................111
Spring Ecosystems............................................................................................................... 113
Knowledge Gaps and Research Guidance........................................................................... 115
Management Implications..................................................................................................... 118
7. Maintaining and Restoring Sustainable Ecosystems in Southern Nevada........125
Jeanne C. Chambers, Burton K. Pendleton, Donald W. Sada,
Steven M. Ostoja, and Matthew L. Brooks
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 125
Resistance and Resilience of Southern Nevada Ecosystems.............................................. 126
Restoration Considerations for Southern Nevada Ecosystems............................................ 128
Knowledge Gaps................................................................................................................... 145
Management Implications..................................................................................................... 145
8. Human Interactions with the Environment through Time in
Southern Nevada...................................................................................................155
Carol B. Raish
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 155
Focal Area............................................................................................................................. 157
Culture History and Chronology............................................................................................ 157
Knowledge Gaps and Management Implications.................................................................. 170
9. Preserving Heritage Resources through Responsible Use of
Southern Nevada’s Lands.....................................................................................175
Carol B. Raish
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 175
Cultural Resources at Risk................................................................................................... 175
Cultural Resource Protection Measures and Organizations................................................. 177
Non-Destructive Techniques for Identifying, Recording, and Analyzing
Archeological and Historic Remains................................................................................ 180
Knowledge Gaps and Management Implications.................................................................. 182
10. Recreation Use on Federal Lands in Southern Nevada......................................185
Alice M. McSweeney
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 185
Nevada’s Population............................................................................................................. 185
Outdoor Recreation Issues................................................................................................... 186
SNAP Interagency Recreation and Wilderness Planning..................................................... 187
Regional Trail Planning and Outreach.................................................................................. 194
Knowledge Gaps and Management Implications.................................................................. 195
11. Science-based Management of Public Lands in Southern Nevada...................201
Matthew L. Brooks and Jeanne C. Chambers
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 201
Current Scientific Understanding and Information Needs..................................................... 202
The Role of Science in Land Management........................................................................... 206
The Role of Science in Education......................................................................................... 207