# Collaborative Research: LTREB renewal: Stability and resilience in the face of multiple interacting press and pulse disturbances

> **NSF 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of California-Davis (CA) · $339,560

## Abstract

This project supports long-term research in rangeland ecosystem to better understand the relationships between livestock, wildlife, and other stressors impacting ecosystem resilience. Researchers will study the impact of multiple factors on competition and coexistence of livestock with wildlife, and the stability and resilience in a savanna rangeland community in the face of drought, fire, and other environmental stressors. This research provides a unique and essential baseline for the conservation, management, and restoration of rangelands including those in the United States, which lost most of its large herbivores more than 10,000 years ago, but where efforts are underway to reintroduce species similar to those lost. This project will fosters the career development of a strong research team of early career researchers and graduate students and outreach to stakeholders. The use of molecular techniques and remote sensing technology to evaluate the impact of herbivory, drought, and fertilization will improve rangeland management practices from targeted approaches to the landscape scale.


This proposal is to support years 31-35 of the Kenya Long-term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE), a controlled replicated experiment examining the separate and combined effects of livestock, wildlife, and fire on each other and on their shared savanna landscape. Although it is becoming increasingly clear that loss of native fauna (“defaunation”) can have far-reaching effects on ecosystems, experimental studies to evaluate these effects remain rare. KLEE uses semi-permeable barriers to create six replicated treatments comprised of different combinations of 1) cattle, 2) meso-herbivore wildlife, and 3) mega-herbivores (elephants and giraffes). This project provides a unique opportunity to understand how interactions between defaunation and multiple pulse and press disturbances affect ecosystem stability and function. After 30 years, the six herbivore treatments support distinct (but sti

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2534727
- **Awardee organization:** University of California-Davis (CA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** TX2DAGQPENZ5
- **PI:** Truman P Young
- **Primary program:** 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** —
- **Estimated total:** $339,560
- **Funds obligated:** $339,560
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 05/01/2026 → 04/30/2031

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2534727

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2534727, Collaborative Research: LTREB renewal: Stability and resilience in the face of multiple interacting press and pulse disturbances. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2534727. Licensed CC0.

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