Quantifying ecological variation across jurisdictional boundaries in a management mosaic landscape

Large landscapes exhibit natural heterogeneity. Land management can impose additional variation, altering ecosystem patterns. Habitat characteristics may reflect these factors, potentially resulting in habitat differences that manifest along jurisdictional boundaries. We characterized the patchwork of habitats across a case study landscape, Grand Canyon Protected Area-Centered Ecosystem. asked: how do ecological conditions vary different types boundaries on public lands? hypothesized fire and grazing, because they respond to over time, contribute by jurisdiction. collected plot-scale vegetation soils data between lands units surrounding Canyon. compared locations managed differently, accounting for type elevation pre-date unit designations. used generalized mixed effects models evaluate disturbance ecology Jurisdictions varied evidence grazing fire. After differences, some measured soil properties also differed among jurisdictions. The greatest were US Forest Service wilderness Bureau Management units. For most variables, non-wilderness National Park intermediate. In this study, several tracked boundaries, forming predictable habitats. These patterns likely site jurisdictions as well those from histories. Understanding at inform resource management, conservation, cross-boundary collaborations.