Native species in California prairies and grasslands are facing rapid changes in both climate and community composition.  In the next 100 years, ecosystems in California are expected to experience warmer temperatures and shifts in seasonal water availability.  Also in the picture is the abundance of exotic plants.  How native plant species will respond to such pressures is of interest to ecologists and land managers.

Here you see researcher Jennifer Balachowski and assistant conducting field work that tests several hypotheses derived from a well-known functional strategy model called Grimes CSR triangle in California coastal priaries and inland grasslands using several ecotypes of blue wildrye.   Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucous) is a native bunchgrass commonly used in restoration.