Episode Nine: The Cheatgrass Fire Cycle 

Cheatgrass, an invasive annual grass species, has spread throughout the Intermountain West, including the entire area that makes up the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey NCA.  As this invasive species has become dominant throughout this large region, it has transformed shrubland ecosystems and dramatically increased the risk of wildfire, causing innumerable problems for both humans and wildlife.

Biological Soil Crust in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey NCA

Biological soil crust plays a central role in the sagebrush steppe ecosystem, as explained by retired BLM botanist Roger Rosentreter in this episode of the series: “They’re organisms that grow on the soil surface. Mostly non-vascular plants like mosses, lichens, fungi, and different types of bacteria, particularly cyanobacteria.” Roger occasionally hosts field trips in the NCA where he shows off some of the components of the biological soil crust that are common to the sagebrush steppe ecosystem. The images below were taken by photographer Jim Shane on one of these field trips.

Episode Credits:

Produced by: The Wild Lens Collective and Radio Boise

With Support from: The Bureau of Land Management, The Birds of Prey NCA Partnership, The Peregrine Fund’s Archives of Falconry, a grant from Patagonia

Producers: Matthew Podolsky, Wayne Birt, Steve Alsup

Production Support provided by: Jessica Evett, Leah Dunn, Ragged Coyote, Jennifer Jerrett

Thanks to our guests: Jon Griggs, Jeremy Maestas, Mike Kochert, Karen Steenhof, Roger Rosentreter, Jolie Pollet, Sam Mori, Hanes Holman, Tyson Grip, Chris Jasmine, Matt Germino

Special Thanks to Matt Germino for his recording our interview

Music by: Like A Rocket, Ragged Coyote, The Great Turtle, Idaho Songs Project