Savannahs regulate an agro-ecosystem crucial for the production of domestic livestock, one of the main sources of income worldwide as well as in South African rural communities. Nevertheless, globally these ecosystem functions are threatened by intense human exploitation, inappropriate land use and environmental changes. Leaf area index (LAI) defined as one half the total green leaf area per unit ground surface area, is an inventory of the plant green leaves that defines the actual size of the interface between the vegetation and the atmosphere. Thus, LAI spatial data could serve as an indicator of rangeland productivity. Consequently, the accurate and rapid estimation of LAI is a key requirement for farmers and policy makers to devise sustainable management strategies for rangeland resources. In this study, the main focus was to assess the utility and the accuracy of the PROSAILH radiative transfer model (RTM) to estimate LAI in the South African rangeland on the recently launched Landsat 8 sensor data. The Landsat 8 sensor has been a promising sensor for estimating grassland LAI as compared to its predecessors Landsat 5 to 7 sensors because of its increased radiometric resolution. For this purpose, two PROSAIL inversion methods and semi- empirical methods such as Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were utilized to estimate LAI. The results showed that physically based approaches surpassed empirical approach with highest accuracy yielded by artificial neural network (ANN) inversion approach (RMSE=0.138), in contrast to the Look-Up Table (LUT) approach (RMSE=0.265). In conclusion, the results of this study proved that PROSAIL RTM approach on Landsat 8 data could be utilized to accurately estimate LAI at regional scale which could aid in rapid assessment and monitoring of the rangeland resources. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

MSc (Botany) / Department of Botany / Plant populations are determined by many elements that impose demographic filters. Following disturbance, in African savanna woodland trees regenerate both sexually and vegetatively. Vachellia karroo (Hayne) Banfi and Galasso, family Fabaceae and sub family Mimosideae, commonly known as “sweet thorn” or “soetdoring” (Afrikaans), is a leguminous shrub common throughout Southern Africa. Its distribution range is from the Southwestern Cape northwards into Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is a pioneer species and has the ability to encroach rapidly into grassland grazing areas. Therefore, V. karroo is considered the most important woody invader of grasslands in South Africa. This study aimed at investigating the population biology and ecology of V. karroo in the clay waterlogged site of the Nylsvley Nature Reserve. Plant height, stem circumference, canopy cover, distance between individuals were measured and disturbance levels on individuals of V. karroo were estimated during sampling. The results showed that the population of V. karroo display an adequate growth curve thus implying that the population of V. karroo in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve is healthy and viable. More mature healthy individuals were found in September and December, than during June and July; this is obviously because early summer season, and in September most of the savanna plant species were starting to actively recover from the winter dry season. This is confirmation enough that the population of V. karroo is expanding in the clay waterlogged areas of Nylsvley Nature Reserve.

Thesis (MScConsEcol) -- Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes the findings of a survey to investigate the attitudes and behaviour of private landholders towards the conservation of Overberg Coastal Renosterveld, a highly endangered grassy-shrubland of the Cape Floral Region (CFR) lowlands, now 94% transformed. Personal interviews were conducted with 36 farmers in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, by administering a questionnaire. The following aspects were quantitatively described using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS): Renosterveld management and utilisation behaviour, perceived value of Overberg Coastal Renosterveld; landholder knowledge of its conservation importance and willingness to conserve it. Attitudes towards incentives for conservation; conservancies; and the provincial conservation authorities were also investigated. Willingness to conserve was explored further using SPSS cross-tabulation analyses. It was found that farmers who were more willing to conserve were younger, did not necessarily have a better education, and owned larger farms (> 500 ha) with a greater amount of remnant renosterveld (> 300 ha) than farmers less willing to conserve. Attitudes towards Overberg Coastal Renosterveld were largely negative, due to certain associated plants and animals which are problems for farmers, and because it is not economically advantageous to retain it. However, provision of incentives (of which assistance with fencing and land management was most attractive) and increased extension support will provide practical positive inducements for conservation. There is also a need for more landholder education regarding the scarcity of coastal renosterveld to prevent transformation of remaining fragments. The second component of the study aimed to construct a user-friendly index to measure the conservation attitudes of landholders towards conserving Overberg Coastal Renosterveld. An interative item analysis was executed on the data, using Spearman Rank Order correlations and Cronbach's Alpha. Results yielded an index with two dimensions and a Cronbach Alpha co-efficient of 0.67. The dimensions or components of conservation attitude towards renosterveld included: (i) a landholders' perception of the perceived benefit of Overberg Coastal Renosterveld; and (ii) their willingness to conserve it. The mean conservation attitude score was 0.6 (± 0.03), indicating that landholder attitudes were generally sympathetic towards renosterveld conservation. This suggests that while many landholders do not place a high value on Overberg Coastal Renosterveld due to its low agricultural value, their willingness to conserve it is in some cases higher than expected, which possibly explains the above-average mean conservation attitude score. An analysis of variance showed that the following variables were significantly, positively correlated with conservation attitude: (i) area of Overberg Coastal Renosterveld; (ii) landholder environmental group membership status; (iii) presence of ecotourism activities on the property; and (iv) how long the property had been in the owner's family. The intended application of the index is that index scores (amenable for use in a Geographical Information System database) can assist conservation practitioners in deciding where resources should be allocated, on the assumption that high-scoring individuals are more likely to want to take part in conservation initiatives. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif beskryf die bevindings van 'n opname waarin die houdings en gedrag van private grondeienaars ten opsigte van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld ondersoek word. Altesaam 94% van die oorspronklike renosterveld, 'n hoogs bedreigde, grasagtige struikveld in die laaglande van die Kaapse Planteryk (KPR) , is reeds getransformeer en verander. Persoonlike onderhoude is met 36 boere in die Overbergstreek van die Wes-Kaap gevoer en 'n vraelys is aan hulle gestel. Die "Statistical Package for Social Scientists" (SPSS) is gebruik om die volgende aspekte kwantitatief te beskryf: die bestuur en benutting van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld; die waarde wat toegeskryf word aan hierdie renosterveld; asook grondeienaars se kennis oor die bewaringsbelang van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld en hul bereidwilligheid om dit te bewaar. Houdings jeens aansporingsmiddele om bewaring te bevorder, bewareas en die provinsiale bewaringsowerhede is ook ondersoek. Private grondeienaars se bereidwilligheid om betrokke te raak by bewaringswerk is verder ondersoek deur gebruik te maak van die SPSS-kruistabelleringsanalise. In vergelyking met boere wat nie bewaring ondersteun nie, is gevind dat die meer bewaringsgesinde boere jonger is, nie noodwendig 'n beter opvoeding het nie, en groter plase (>500 ha) besit waarop meer brokkies oorblywende Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld (>300 ha) gevind word. Grondeienaars se houding jeens Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld was grootliks negatief. Dit is as gevolg van sekere verwante plante en diere wat deur boere as probleme ervaar word, en omdat dit nie ekonomies lewensvatbaar is om renosterveld te behou nie. Die beskikbaarheidstelling van aansporingsmiddele (waarvan hulpverlening met omheinings en grondbestuur die aantreklikste was), en 'n toename in landbou-voorligting is egter praktiese en positiewe dryfvere wat bewaring kan bevorder. Daar is ook 'n behoefte vir meer opvoeding van grondeienaars oor aspekte soos die skaarsheid van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld, sodat die verdere transformasie van oorblywende fragmente voorkom kan word. Die tweede gedeelte van die studie was daarop gemik om 'n gebruikersvriendelike indeks te ontwikkel waarmee die bewaringsgesindheid van grondeienaars teenoor die bewaring van renosterveld gemeet kan word. Deur gebruik te maak van Spearman se rangorde-korrelasies en Cronbach se Alpha is die data aan 'n herhalende item-analise onderwerp. Die resultate het 'n indeks met twee dimensies en 'n Cronbach Alpha-koëffisiënt van 0.67 gelewer. Die dimensies of komponente van bewaringsgesindheid jeens renosterveld het onder meer ingesluit: i) 'n grondeienaar se opvatting oor die moontlike voordeel van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld en ii) sy/haar bereidwilligheid om dit bewaar. Die gemiddelde telling vir bewaringsgesindheid was 0.6 (± 0.03), wat in die algemeen 'n simpatieke houding jeens die bewaring van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld onder grondeienaars aandui. Hiervolgens blyk dit dat alhoewel heelwat grondeienaars weens die lae landbouwaarde van renosterveld nie 'n hoë waarde op hierdie plantegroeitipe plaas nie, hulle bereidwilligheid om dit te bewaar soms verwagtinge oortref. Dit is dalk 'n moontlike verklaring vir die bogemiddelde gemiddelde bewaringsgesindheidtelling. 'n Variansie-analise het 'n noemenswaardige, positiewe korrelasie met bewaringsgesindheid ten opsigte van die volgende veranderlikes getoon: i) area van Overberg Kustelike Renosterveld; ii) die grondeienaar se moontlike lidmaatskap van 'n bewaringsgroep; iii) die teenwoordigheid van ekotoerisme-bedrywighede op die eiendom; en iv) die tydperk wat die eiendom al in besit van die grondeienaar se familie is. Die voorgestelde gebruik van die indeks is toepaslik omdat die indeks-tellings (wat vir gebruik in 'n Geografiese Inligtingstelsel databasis aangepas kan word) bewaringslui kan help met besluite random die toekenning van hulpbronne. Die aanname is dat individuele grondeienaars wie hoë tellings aangeteken het, met alle waarskynlikheid meer geredelik aan bewaringsinisiatiewe sal wil deelneem.

South African grasslands are under-conserved and there is a need to expand conservation efforts beyond the boundaries of protected areas. While communal grasslands have conservation potential they are generally over-utilized and the impact of communal land-use on biodiversity is poorly studied. At the same time there is pressure on protected areas to allow for the sustainable utilization of biodiversity. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of communal land-use on various components of biodiversity and to make recommendations regarding communal use of protected areas. A fence-line study was conducted to assess the impact of eight years of controlled communal land-use on biodiversity in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. The communally used land (referred to as the lease land) which was used for controlled grazing as well as plant collection was compared with land under formal conservation. Vegetation was sampled using the importance score method and veld condition assessments. Selected invertebrate taxa were sampled using sweep netting, colour pan traps and transects and were identified to morphospecies level. Multivariate statistics revealed that sites generally grouped according to landscape position rather than land-use. No significant differences were found in diversity, evenness, richness or veld condition between the lease and conservation land. However, more than twenty-five percent of vegetation and invertebrate species were found exclusively in the lease or conservation land, suggesting that different suites of species were supported by the two landuses. Four alien plant species were found exclusively in the lease land, while one vulnerable and one rare plant species were found only in the conservation land. Further research is required to assess whether biodiversity was diminished by controlled communal. While the lease concept may offer potential as a low-use buffer zone, localised damage from cattle paths and weak enforcement of grazing agreements were areas of concern. Keywords: communal grass)ands, grassland flora, grassland invertebrates, transfrontier park. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Les prairies indigènes présentent une source importante d'alimentation pour le pâturage du bétail dans les prairies Canadiennes semi-arides. L'addition de légumineuses fixatrices d'azote et de phosphore dans les prairies indigènes peut améliorer la productivité et la valeur nutritive de fourrage. Ces pratiques peuvent induire des modifications de la structure et de la diversité des communautés fongiques du sol, ce qui peut en retour avoir un impact sur la production et le contenu nutritionnel du fourrage. L’objectif de cette étude était de développer un système de pâturage à bas niveau d’intrants, productif, autonome et durable. À court terme, nous voulions 1) déterminer l'effet des légumineuses (Medicago sativa, une légumineuse cultivée ou Dalea purpurea, une légumineuse indigène) et la fertilité en phosphore du sol sur la productivité et la valeur nutritive des graminées indigènes, comparées avec celles de la graminée introduite Bromus biebersteinii en mélange avec le M. sativa, 2) identifier l'effet de ces pratiques sur la diversité et la structure des communautés des champignons mycorhiziens à arbuscules (CMA) et des champignons totaux, 3) identifier l'effet des légumineuses et des CMA sur les interactions compétitives entre les graminées de saison fraîche et les graminées de saison chaude. Les expériences menées au champ ont montré que M. sativa améliorait les teneurs en azote et en phosphore des graminées indigènes au début de l'été, ainsi que la teneur en azote de la graminée de saison chaude Bouteloua gracilis à la fin de l'été de l'année sèche 2009. Par contre, la fertilité en phosphore du sol n'ait pas affecté la productivité des plantes. D'autre part, l'inclusion des légumineuses augmentait la diversité des CMA dans le mélange de graminées indigènes. Cette modification présentait des corrélations positives avec la productivité et la quantité totale d'azote chez le M. sativa et avec la teneur en phosphore des graminées indigènes, au début de l'été. La structure des communautés de champignons totaux était influencée par l'interaction entre le mélange des espèces et la fertilité en phosphore du sol seulement en 2008 (année humide). Cet effet pourrait être lié en partie avec la productivité des plantes et l'humidité du sol. Les expériences menées en chambre de culture ont montré que les CMA peuvent favoriser la productivité des graminées de saison chaude au détriment des graminées de saison fraîche. En effet, Glomus cubense augmentait la productivité de la graminée de saison chaude B. gracilis, en présence de M. sativa. Cet effet pourrait être associé à l’effet négatif du G. cubense sur la fixation de l’azote par le M. sativa et à la diminution de l’efficacité d’utilisation de l'azote de certaines graminées de saison fraîche résultant en une augmentation de la disponibilité de l'azote pour B. gracilis. Par contre, le Glomus sp. augmentait la biomasse de Schizachyrium scoparium, autre graminée de saison chaude, en absence de légumineuse. Ce phénomène pourrait être attribuable à une amélioration de l’efficacité d’utilisation du P de cette graminée. En conclusion, mes travaux de recherche ont montré que la légumineuse cultivée M. sativa peut améliorer la valeur nutritive des graminées indigènes au début de l'été ainsi que celle de la graminée de saison chaude B. gracilis, dans des conditions de sécheresse sévère de la fin de l'été. De plus, l'addition de M. sativa dans le mélange de graminées indigènes peut contribuer à augmenter le nombre des espèces bénéfiques des CMA pour la production et la nutrition du fourrage au début de l'été. / The native grasslands are considered as the main feed source for livestock grazing, in semi-arid regions of the Canadian prairies. The addition of N fixing legumes and phosphorus to semi-arid native grasslands may increase the productivity and nutritive value of forage. However, these practices may also shape the structure and diversity of soil fungal communities which in turn may impact forage production and nutritive value. The global objective of this research was to design productive, self-sustaining, permanent and with low inputs pastures. The specific objectives were 1) to demonstrate the effect of N-fixing legumes (the cultivated legume Medicago sativa or the native legume Dalea purpurea) and soil P fertility on the productivity and nutritive value of native grasses mixes in comparison to the mixture of the introduced grass Bromus biebersteinii and M. sativa, 2) identify the effect of these practices on the diversity and community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and total fungi, and 3) identify the effect of legumes and AM fungi on competitive interactions between native cool-season grasses and native warm-season grasses. The field experiment showed that M. sativa improved the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of native grasses mixes early in the summer, as well as the N concentration of the warm-season grass B. gracilis, in late summer of the driest year 2009. In contrast, the soil phosphorus fertility had no effect on plant productivity. On the other hand, the inclusion of legumes to the mix of native grasses generally increased AM fungal diversity. This shift was positively correlated with the productivity and nitrogen uptake by M. sativa and with the phosphorus concentration of native grasses mixes in early summer. The structure of the total fungal community was affected by the interaction between species mixtures and soil P fertility only in the wet year (2008), suggesting that this effect was likely driven in part by plant productivity and soil moisture. The growth chamber experiment showed that the AM fungi may favoured the growth of warm-season grasses under competition with cool-season grasses. However, Glomus cubense increased the productivity of warm-season grass B. gracilis when growing with M. sativa. This effect might be related to a negative impact of G. cubense on the nitrogen-fixing activity of M. sativa and to a lower N-use efficiency of certain cool-season grasses, which resulted in increased soil N availability for B. gracilis. In contrast, Glomus sp. enhanced the growth of S. scoparium, another warm-season grass in the absence of legumes, and this may be related to improved P-use efficiency in this grass. We concluded that the cultivated legume M. sativa can improve the nutritive value of native grasses mixes early in the summer and also of warm season grass under severe drought conditions in late summer. In addition, the inclusion of M. sativa within native grass mixes may contribute to promote beneficial AM fungi taxa that were involved in forage production and nutrition early in the summer.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / This work describes the coastal grasslands of Mkambati Game Reserve and their suitability for the present large herbivore complement. The initial description makes use of both field survey and quantitative sampling and multivariate analysis which facilitated the production of soil and vegetation maps at tre scale of 1: 10 000. Suitability of these grasslands for herbivores is assessed in terms of both quantity and quality of food available and the present herbivore impact. Local variation in soil type was considerable. Eight standard soil forms were distinguished as well as severaI others previously undescribed. Most of the soils were dystrophic although nutrient 'hot-spots' were common. This determined floristic composition of the various communities to some extent. Three grassland communities and four subcommunities were recognized which contributed 81, 5% to the total area of the reserve. The remaining area comprised forest. wetlands. exposed rock and accommodation camps. Each grassland community was associated with particular ranges of the measured environmental variables. The standing crop of the three communities was high relative to other areas of Southern Africa. Absolute amounts varied seasonally being highest in summer and lowest in winter Partitioning between the phytomass, necromass and litter components also varied seasonally. Total standing crop increased with increasing interval since the last fire. Litter breakdown rates differed between communities and species. Forage quality was poor being lowest in autumn and winter and declining with age. This was probably a result of the dystrophic soils. Crude protein and phosphorus were limiting for several months of the year. Total forage quantity was in excess of the present herbivore needs although availability declined with age and during the non-growing season. However, the poor quality reduced the amount available such that present herbivore impact was low, at all times being less than 9%.. Removal by herbivores was highest several months after a fire when absolute amounts of various nutrients were at a maxinum per unit area. Thereafter it declined to less than 1% with aging of the sward. The implications of the results for management are discussed and future research needs identified. / AC 2018

Les écosystèmes prairiaux alpestres sont supposés être très sensibles au changement climatique. Cependant leur long historique fait de variation du climat et de multiples siècles d'utilisation des terres peut avoir sélectionné des mécanismes de résilience écologique à la variabilité climatique et aux stress climatiques extrêmes. Nous avons utilisé un dispositif expérimental de grande envergure pour explorer les mécanismes de réponses des prairies subalpines à une combinaison d’extrêmes météorologiques hivernaux (fonte des neiges précoce) et estivaux (sécheresse) en fonction de la composition fonctionnelle des communautés végétales et des pratiques de gestion des terres. La composition fonctionnelle des prairies a été manipulée à l’aide d’assemblages de trois espèces de poacées en différentes abondances relatives, représentant in fine un gradient d’utilisation des ressources allant de la conservation à l'exploitation. De manière générale, la composition fonctionnelle a été le principal déterminant de tous les paramètres observés pour la performance individuelle des plantes, les réponses intraspécifiques des plantes, la décomposition de la litière et les processus de recyclage de l'azote. Le fonctionnement des écosystèmes prairiaux dominés par des plantes conservatrices a été remarquablement résistant aux traitements climatiques extrêmes, tandis que les écosystèmes prairiaux dominés par des plantes plus exploitatrices ont été plus résilients. Les pratiques de gestion ont modulé ces réponses et plus particulièrement dans le cas des communautés exploitatrices. Les allocations souterraines aux réserves glucidiques et aux pools d'azote microbiens ont été identifiées comme deux mécanismes clés sous-tendant les réponses des communautés résilientes. Néanmoins, des répercussions à plus long terme du changement climatique pourraient être observées, causées par un épuisement successif des réserves végétales et une diminution des retours azotés vers le sol via les processus de décomposition. / Alpine grassland ecosystems are presumed to be highly sensitive to climate change, yet their long history of climate variability, and multiple centuries of land use may have selected for mechanisms of ecological resilience to climate variability and climate extremes. We used a large experimental design to explore patterns and mechanisms for responses of subalpine grasslands to combined winter (snow removal) and summer (drought) weather extremes depending on plant functional composition and management. Plant functional composition was manipulated by establishing grass mixtures with three species representing a conservation to exploitation gradient planted at varying relative abundances. Overall, functional composition was the primary determinant of all observed parameters for plant individual performance, intraspecific plant trait responses, litter decomposition and nitrogen recycling processes. The functioning of grassland ecosystems dominated by conservative plants was remarkably resistant to extreme weather treatments, while grassland ecosystems dominated by more exploitative plants were more resilient. Management altered these responses mostly in the case of exploitative communities. Belowground allocation to carbohydrate reserves and to microbial nitrogen pools were identified as two key mechanisms underpinning these resilient responses. Longer-term impacts of climate change may however unfold through the exhaustion of plant reserves and decreasing nitrogen returns to soils via decomposition process.

Le processus d’urbanisation conduit à un ensemble de transformations et perturbations qui peuvent avoir des conséquences sur la flore spontanée. Ce travail de thèse porte sur les communautés végétales des espaces herbacés ordinaires distribués au sein 3 aires urbaines de l’ouest de la France : Angers, Nantes et la Roche-sur-Yon. A travers deux approches, taxonomique et fonctionnelle, l’objectif est d’analyser les variations de diversités et de composition floristiques le long de gradients paysagers (notamment d’urbanisation et de connectivité des habitats). Ces milieux apparaissent diversifiés, tout en ne présentant qu’un faible nombre d’espèces exotiques. Le gradient urbain-rural structure les communautés, établissant notamment de fortes distinctions dans leurs compositions spécifiques, et ce, malgré l’absence de variations en terme de richesse et d’homogénéisation. Ces distinctions sont en lien avec des traits relatifs à leurs exigences écologiques (habitat, pH, humidité, lumière)et au niveau de perturbation plus élevé en ville. Ces relations varient malgré tout selon que l’on considère l’abondance locale ou régionale des espèces suggérant que d’autres mécanismes viennent s’ajouter à ces processus de filtre. La mesure in situ de trois traits fonctionnels (hauteur, SLA et phénologie) montre également l’importance de ce processus de filtre sur les espèces à un niveau intraspécifique. L’ensemble des résultats montre la façon dont ces espèces communes s’assemblent au regard des processus écologiques à l’oeuvre dans des environnements urbains, et permet d’ouvrir des perspect / The process of urbanisation leads to a series of transformations and disturbances that may have consequences for wild plant communities. This thesis presents a study of the plant communities of ordinary grasslands distributed among three cities of western France: Angers, Nantes and La Roche-sur-Yon. Using both taxonomical and functional approaches, the aim is to analyse the variation in plant diversity and composition along landscape gradients, in particular those of urbanisation and habitat connectivity. Such grassland habitats appear to be diverse, despite a low number of exotic species. The urban-rural gradient structures such communities, in particular by strongly modifying species composition; and this despite an absence of variation in species richness or of homogenisation. These modifications in community structure are linked to traits for ecological requirements (for habitat, pH, humidity or light)or for adaptation to higher levels of disturbance in towns. These relationships vary according to species’ local or regional abundance, suggesting that other mecanisms accompany the filtering process. Taking into account three functional traits (height, SLA and phenology) measured in situ shows that the filtering process also has consequences at intraspecific level. Taken together, the results show how common species are assembled in response to ecological processes operating in urban environments and open up new perspectives and applications for the integration of grassland plant communities into biodiversity conservation objectives in urban areas

Intact sagebrush communities in the Great Basin are rapidly disappearing due to invasion of non-native plants, large wildfires, and encroachment of pinyon pine and juniper woodlands. Land management options include the use of prescribed fire, grazing, herbicides and mechanical treatments to reduce the potential for wildfire and restore plant communities. Land managers in the region face a complex and interrelated set of ecological, economic, and social challenges to the implementation of these management practices. Effective restoration strategies require consideration of citizens in the region and their acceptance of management practices, as well as their trust in the agencies that implement them. This longitudinal panel study (2006-2010) examines the social acceptability of management options for rangeland restoration and public trust in agencies to carry out these options in three urban and three rural regions of the Great Basin. Most similar studies in this region have been largely place-based and cross-sectional, focusing on communities at one point in time. Results from this study can be used to evaluate the success of management programs, predict support for different treatments, determine the impact of agency outreach efforts, and identify important factors for building trust between communities and agencies across the region. The study uses data from a mail-back questionnaire sent to residents in 2006 and again in 2010. Overall, 698 respondents comprise the panel of interest. Results suggest landscape scale events such as wildfire, as well as agency management and outreach programs, had little influence on respondents' perceptions of agencies or management options over the study period. Several key findings have persisted throughout the study: (1) acceptance is high for the use of prescribed fire, grazing, felling, and mowing, but low for chaining and herbicide use, though there are (2) low levels of public trust and confidence in agencies to implement these management options, and (3) there are salient differences between the region's rural and urban residents with important implications for agency communication strategies. Most changes in response over the study period were subtle, though the direction and strength of these changes highlight noteworthy trends: (1) Great Basin residents are becoming more aware of key threats facing rangelands, (2) they seem more interested in having a role in making management decisions, and (3) they are slightly more positive about their interactions with agency personnel. Finally, findings suggest many residents have had little experience with agency outreach programs. Trust and confidence in management agencies are key factors in garnering support for restoration activities. While knowledge of management activities and confidence in managers' ability to competently implement them certainly play a role, findings strongly suggest sincerity factors (e.g., good communication or the perception that agencies share citizens' goals, thoughts, or values) have the greatest influence on acceptance of management practices in the Great Basin. Results suggest it would be beneficial for agencies to take a more active role in building trust with residents across the region. Differing levels of knowledge and interest, as well as different concerns, found among rural and urban residents highlight the need to tailor outreach strategies for use in specific communities. / Graduation date: 2012

No description available.