67Fig. 3.3 Examples of extent and impact of B. tectorum die-off in the Northern Basin and Range.
The map in the top right shows estimated die-off patterns during 2010 based on MODIS imagery
[ red shows areas in which growth potential of B. tectorum based on its mapped presence and cli-
mate/weather is not materialized, from Wylie ( 2012 )]. Upper left photo shows a die-off in 2014
(dark ground is died off, blond grasses survived and senesced normally, photo courtesy of Mindy
Wheeler). Middle right photo shows large deposition of soil eroded from a 2010 die-off (photo,
Megan Hynes). Photo on bottom shows high bare soil exposure and a dust plume originating from
a site that experienced stand failure of B. tectorum , a site classifi ed as “Loamy with 5–8 inches of
precipitation” in August 2012 (photo, Tamzen Strigham). Other BLM staff reported complete loss
of visibility on similarly affl icted sites due to dense dust clouds in the same summer (M. Pellant,
pers. comm.)
increased soil resourc es , particularly water (e.g., for Bromus species in central
California shrublands; Wolkovich et al. 2009 ). Other studies show biomass produc-
tion of B. hordeaceus to be negatively related to its own litter (Amatangelo et al.
2008 ). Litter removal increased plant-available N and abundances of B. tectorum
and other exotic annuals in a cool and wet summer but led to decreases in a warm
3 Ecosystem Impacts of Exotic Annual Invaders in the Genus Bromus