This presentation addressed issues confronting preservation and restoration of big sagebrush, focusing on climate, wildfire, and invasives. Preliminary and published insights on climate responses of sagebrush and implications for vulnerability assessments and post-fire restoration were described. Responses of big sagebrush and competitors such as cheatgrass to climate manipulations are providing important insight on the ways in which sagebrush may resist or respond to warming or shifts in precipitation. Big sagebrush is a remarkably diverse species, and preliminary findings from common-garden studies are suggesting how the diversity is important for its climate responses and for selection of appropriate seed sources. Restoration success [...]
