Pacific Southwest Research Station

Habitat Improvement

The Tahoe basin harbors species and ecological communities of special concern because of their rarity or vulnerability. Scientific research is helping to better manage and conserve these special communities and species, including:

• Tahoe yellow cress (Rorippa subumbellata)
• Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi)
• Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
• American marten (Martes americana)
• Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana)
• Western white pine (Pinus monticola)
• Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis)

Additional research is underway to assess and counter the establishment or proliferation of invasive species, including:

• Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
• Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
• Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)
• Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)
• New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
• Quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis)
• Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)
• Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
• Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
• Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
• Brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus)

Current Research Projects

Wildlife Habitat Occupancy Models for Project and Landscape Evaluations in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Stocking Guidelines for Aspen Restoration

Ecological succession in the Angora fire: Forest management effects on woodpeckers as keystone species

Potential for Pathogen Growth, Fecal Indicator Growth and Phosphorus Release under Clam Removal Barriers in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Natural and human limitations to Asian clam distribution and recolonization-factors that impact the management and control in Lake Tahoe

Evaluation of Montane Forest Genetic Resources: Implications for Conservation, Management, and Restoration of Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Plant community characterization and ranking of fens in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Hydrologic response of sub-alpine wetlands to climate change, Tahoe basin

Development of a risk model to determine the expansion and potential environmental impacts of Asian clams in Lake Tahoe

Evaluating effects of ski resorts on American marten

Modeling cheatgrass invasion risk

Restoration and fuel treatment of riparian forests

Restoration of sugar pine

Threats to white pines