Linking environmental science, policy and management

Improving the links between ecological science, environmental management, and environmental policy.

Click here to see the results of the 2015 Ecological Society of America’s Centennial Survey- which assessed the opportunities and challenges of linking ecological research with environmental management and policy.

California Ecosystem Management Database

Why does one management project succeed, while another does not? Which sites are most (or least) likely to achieve a management goal? What suite of goals are possible at a given site, and which management practices will be most effective in achieving the goals at that site? Addressing these questions requires the compilation of hundreds of on-the-ground management trials and research trials across California’s diverse environmental conditions. This searchable database is an in-progress project that is compiling the wisdom of current and previous management and research trials, to provide decision-support for managers and policy makers.

• Click here to link to the database.
• Click here to learn more about the general approach to the project.
• Click here to see a profile video on the project

Ecosystem management in a changing environment

• • Restoration in a Changing World.
    • Click here to watch the video of Eviner’s Plenary address at the Natural Areas Conference in October 2016. “Using Ecosystem Services to guide restoration goals and approaches in a changing world”.
  • Management of California grasslands in response to future threats: summary for policy makers.
    • Click here to read Eviner’s summary of California grasslands for Mooney and Zavaleta’s “Ecosystems of California: Threats and Responses. Supplement for Decision Makers.
  • How can we manage our working landscapes to mitigate and adapt to climate change in California?
    • Article partially based on Eviner’s October 2016 address to various state agencies, on the topic “Research to inform how California agriculture and working lands can contribute to state climate targets”

  Ecology and management of California grasslands

  • Ecology and conservation of California grasslands.
    • Click here for slides of Eviner’s 2016 talk at the California Academy of Sciences.
  • California grassland recovery from wildfire- California Native Grasslands Association 2020 Field Day Talk
  • California native species can suppress noxious weeds such as goatgrass and medusahead.
    • See 2018 article in Grasslands, the Newsletter of the California Native Grassland Association.
  • Overview of the ecology of California’s rangelands.
    • At Stanford University’s “Uncommon Dialog” series in 2011, Eviner presented a summary of the status, structure, and functioning of California’s rangelands. Click here for slides.
    • Click here for abstract.
  • Effects of weather variation on species composition and production in California’s grasslands.
    • How does the amount and seasonality of precipitation impact the interactions between native and invasive species in California’s grasslands? Here is a link to an article in “Grasslands”, which summarizes Eviner’s 2014 talk at CNGA’s annual field day at Hedgerow Farms.
  • How do native vs. invasive grassland species impact a variety of ecosystem services in California’s grasslands?
    • Native vs. exotic grasses in California provide different suites of ecosystem services, suggesting that desired ecosystem services at a site can guide if it should be a target for native grassland restoration. See 2013 article in California Invasive Plant Council Newsletter.