Estimating Pinyon and Juniper Tree Cover Across Utah Using NAIP Imagery

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Darrell Roundy and Dr. Steven Petersen, Department of Plant and Wildlife Science Pinyon and juniper (pj) encroachment is an ecological problem in the western United States. As these species expand they replace valuable sagebrush and grassland communities decreasing forage for livestock and wildlife, reducing habitat for multiple sagebrush obligate species and increasing fuel loads that […]

Analysis of Phytotoxins Extracted from the Seed Pathogen Pyrenophora semeniperda

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Joshua Nicholson and Dr. Brad Geary, Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Review This project seeks to establish and understand a link between virulence and phytotoxin production between varying strains of Pyrenophora semeniperda, a necrotrophic fungal pathogen that attacks cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Cheatgrass is an intermountain west invasive weed that is outsourcing native plants and […]