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Ecological Restoration Challenges in the Arid Southwest: Case Studies in the Sonoran and
Chihuahuan Deserts
Lori Woods, RLA and Carianne FunicelliLori Woods, RLA and Carianne Funicelli
Presented to SHADE Conference
August 2009
“Revegetation” is not the Same as “Restoration”
Restoration Goals• Habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species• Watershed Health• Improve Conditions for Native Pollinator Populations• Beneficial Use of Effluent Wastewater
Planning for Restoration• Site selection and analysis• Develop a plan: Grading, Considerations for Plant
Materials, Irrigation needs, Maintenance and Monitoring
Creating an Appropriate Native Plant Palette
Characterization of ExistingVegetation
Onsite At desirable reference sites
Review Floristic Information Value to wildlife species Historical data
Container Plants and Seed Mix What is available
commercially? Incorporate flexibility in lists to
avoid delays Water usage
Source Identified Seed Material
Seed Collection, Bulking, and Storage
Appropriate timing of seed collection
Seed bulking of native grasses
Store seeds in a cool, dry location
• HIGH ROOT TO SHOOT RATIO
• LIMITED WATER – CONTROLLED DROUGHT
• FULL SUN
•NO PESTICIDES
• NO FERTILIZERS
TOUGH LOVE = Restoration Quality Plants
Native Soil• Reduced nutrient content inhibits weed growth (native species are
often adapted to low nutrient conditions)• Improved water retention compared to traditional nursery mix• Native mycorrhizal component already in soil• Reduced transplanting stress
Salvage of Native Plant Materials
• Earthwork
• Dethatching/ weed control
• Irrigation installation
• Adding natural materials to provide structure
• Erosion/ Sediment control
Site Preparation
Water
Above or below ground?
Temporary or Permanent?
Invasive Species Management: Species Identification, Best Methods
Invasive Species Control: EARLY AND OFTEN!
Plant Protection
microclimate, visibility, protection from herbivores and trampling
Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration
• Concept plan developed by USACE and Pima County Regional Flood Control District.
• Detailed project design developed by RECON (Landscape Architect and Vegetation Ecologist).
• Design team had continuous involvement throughout the project and positive collaboration with sponsors and contractors.
Project Process
Rillito River Park
FIRST PRIORITY = Keep the Good Stuff!
Get Rid of the Bad Stuff… buffelgrass, tamarisk, Sahara mustard, Russian thistle, African sumac, Mexican paloverde, giant reed, yellow starthistle, yellow bird of paradise, cocklebur, filaree, malva, Bermuda grass, London rocket, cheeseweed, horehound, tree tobacco…
A Couple of Surprises…
Irrigation & Stormwater HarvestingTemporary System
plant palette designed to be self-sustaining once established
Reclaimed water
Stormwater harvesting basins to capture onsite flow and direct water to plantings
Irrigation versus water harvesting (7 months)
Habitat Considerations
Stump treatment to preserve habitat for reptiles and small
mammals
Structure = Shelter• Variety in types of
plants (vines, grasses, trees, shrubs)
• Mosaic of habitat types to meet needs of as many different species as possible
Food Resourcesseeds, berries, nectar, insects...
AREA 1 AREA 2 AREA 3
Location along the south bank of
the Rillito River
Just west of
Craycroft Road
East of Swan Road, just
east of Alamo Wash
End of Columbus
Boulevard
Approximate acres planted
(smaller than total project area)
6.5 3 20
Installation complete date December 2007 April 2008 January 2008
Trees (15-gal) 187 77 875
Shrubs (5-gal) 496 158 2053
Small perennials (1-gal) 377 130 4073
Total number of container plants
installed
1060 (25 species) 365 (18 species) 7001 (42 species)
Seed mix 18 species 24 species 24 species
Invasives issues Mexican paloverde,
tamarisk,
cheeseweed, desert
broom, mustards
Mexican paloverde,
buffelgrass
Tamarisk, buffelgrass,
African sumac, giant reed,
Bermuda grass
Comparison of 3 Areas:
Amphibian ConservationImportant breeding area for 3
species of amphibians:– Couch’s spadefoot– Mexican spadefoot– Great Plains toad
Avoid Impacts
Preserve islands of habitat and use construction fencing to avoid compaction
Amphibian Salvage and Translocation
Terraces
Plant Installation & Layout
• Natural-looking patterns
• Individual basins at each plant
• Protection from critters
Hydroseeding
5-Year Monitoring Plan
Qualitative monitoring• Plant health• Wildlife use• Weed invasion• Repeat photos
Quantitative monitoring• Transects• Success parameters
From straight concrete channels…
Photos this slide courtesy of Andrew Wigg, Pima County Regional Flood Control District
To a Moonscape…
To Moonscape with Dormant Plants…
To Mustard Fields…..
On the Way to Valuable Wildlife Habitat...
4 February 2008 16 December 2008
On the Ground...
From the air…2006 2008
Saguaro National Park Loop Road Revegetation (January 2007)
• 108 small sites
• variety of surfaces
Plant Materials
• seed grown by Tucson Plant Materials Center
• salvaged prior to construction
• onsite salvage
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Restoration Plan (2008)
• 86 acres
• Lukeville Border Fence Project
Endangered Species
• Sonoran pronghorn
• Lesser long-nosed bat
Offsite Mitigation
• Duplicate roads
• Illegal roads, ORV use
• Construction staging areas
Restore Ecosystem Function
Restore natural drainage patterns• Micrograding to restore original contours
• Erosion control
Habitat Values
Close Coordination with NPS
• Establish restoration goals and rapport with local NPS Resource staff
• Field trips
• Workshops
• Document Review
Restoration PrescriptionsBased on Landscape Type Associations
Unique Assemblages of
• Geology
• Soils
• Vegetation
• Landform
Site Specific Treatment
• Cultural resources monitoring
• Local seed collection according to LTA and watershed
• Erosion control• Grading• Special circumstances
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center Landscape
Rehabilitation (September 2008)
Scope of Project• 1,500 grass plugs• 6 specimen trees• 450+ cacti and succulents previously salvaged• Salvage plants from planter• Design and install underground drip irrigation
Working together
In one week...
In one week...
Underground Irrigation
Challenges
• Timeframe
• Remote park, availability of supplies
• In-field modification
• Immediate visibility - visitor interaction, upcoming grand opening
Questions?