Don't Judge a Shrubland by Its Cover

When you drive through the flat, open spaces of the Western United States, you may see sagebrush shrublands for miles and miles. This scenery, dominated by short, stubby shrubs, may look dull and monotonous to the untrained eye. In reality, this ecosystem is home to a complex web of organisms and processes and is heavily studied by USGS Scientists. It is also one of the most at-risk habitats in North America and presents major challenges for conservation. Invasive cheatgrass promotes frequent wildfires, which destroy habitat and prevent sagebrush from reestablishing. This is bad news for birds, such as the sage grouse, that depend on shrubland habitats. In fact, shrubland birds are experiencing some of the most rapid declines of any group of birds in North America, largely because of this loss of habitat. Learn more in the latest USGS Oregon Science Podcast. For more information, contact Steven Knick at sknick@usgs.gov