The Nature of Restoration Design: A Case Study. · The Nature of Restoration Design: A Case Study....
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10/31/2005 River Partners 1 Daniel Efseaff Restoration Ecologist River Partners The Nature of Restoration Design: A Case Study. 2005 State of the Sacramento River Conference
Transcript of The Nature of Restoration Design: A Case Study. · The Nature of Restoration Design: A Case Study....
10/31/2005 River Partners1
Daniel EfseaffRestoration Ecologist
River Partners
The Nature of Restoration Design: A Case Study.
2005 State of the Sacramento River Conference
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OutlineIntroduction Restoration Design Process Myths, Assumptions, and Restoration Design Conclusions
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Design Process
Site AssessmentConceptual Site ModelProject implementation Framework for adaptive management and future monitoring
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Conceptual Site Model
Presents our understanding of the physical and biological factors that influence site ecologyOutlines our restoration strategy and alternatives, and Identifies ecological benefits and targeted wildlife species.
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Major Findings
The site once supported a complex, mosaic of riparian forests. Currently, non-native plants dominate the project area.No-action (with targeted weed control) is appropriate on approximately 450 acres with an active restoration approach appropriate on the remaining 500 acres.Process has yielded scientifically sound options that protects the pumping plant, provide ecological benefits, and have local support.
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Myths, Assumptions, and Restoration Design
Interrupting your typical PowerPoint Presentation…
Do not touch your projector….
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Restoration Myths!!!
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Design Myths
• Use the past as your only guide.
• Plant only communities that “belong” there.
• Your lucky numbers are:
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19211937
19521974
1984
Which history?
How about a pragmatic design, based on current conditions that meet multiple needs?
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Restoration Alternative – Site Specific Design
Considers multiple management objectivesFeatures: compatible with pumping plant measures and flood control objectives (access roads, conveyance corridors, etc)Benefits: provides good quality wildlife habitat, displaces weeds, consistent with other objectives, modest management input. Disadvantages: does not maximize wildlife objectives.
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Site Specific Design
Plant density the same, composition different, tree density different.
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Wildlife Myth
True or False: a) “Restoration doesn’t work” or
b) “Build it and they (wildlife) will come”
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Habitat for what?
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Wildlife Features in design
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Example: Restoration in Five YearsExample: Restoration in Five Years
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Restoration designed for features for Targeted Wildlife
See study for complete list Example: Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo
belli)
Project features:Thickets of willows (sandbar) and other low shrubs (such as mugwort). Low dense riparian growth often in areas often near water. Associated plants include cottonwood, willow, coyote brush, or blackberry.
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ESA recovery
In 2003, River Partners sampled 7,600 elderberry shrubs for:– Elderberry survivorship (high)– Presence of VELB exit holes (yes), over 5%
Riparian Brush Rabbits thriving on release sites.
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Riparian Sanctuary: Wildlife Potential
PRBO (2004) Point Count on Site:Measure Existing Project area– species richness 28 6– diversity (SW) 15.4 1.98
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Myths of Natural Processes
• Restoration unnecessary on the Sacramento River
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(The Bay Institute, 1998)
Historically, over 500,000 acres of
riparian forest bordered the
Sacramento River (Katibah 1981).
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(The Bay Institute, 1998)
By 1983, less than 23,000 acres (5%) of
riparian forests remain.
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Cottonwood
Non-nativeSpecies
Adding to the Mahoney and Rood Box Model
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Recruitment
Even after a decade only sparse native vegetation was observed.
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Weed Myths
• Aliens invade!
• “You can’t beat weeds”
• “Build it and they (understory) will come.”
• “What weeds?”
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Successional Outcomes- no actionSoil CharacteristicsDeep, silty soils, relatively shallow groundwater levels (<25 ft).
Hydraulics/HydrologyPost Shasta Dam hydrology. Most of site floods frequently (2-4 year intervals).
Vegetation Native seed sources further away, good conditions for non-native plant recruitment
Wildlife Response Increase rodent populations
Geomorphologic processesMinor deposition and erosion, some “gouged” areas.
Management ActionsLand cleared.
Riparian forest or woodland
Riparian savanna
Non-native herbaceous plants
Limited riparian plant recruitment
Riparian scrub
Riparian grassland
Annual non-native plants.
Non-native woody plants
?
Time: 10-30 years
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No Action 2005No Action - 2015?
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Successional Outcomes –Restoration
Soil Characteristics Deep, silty soils, relatively shallow groundwater levels (<25 ft).
Hydraulics/HydrologyPost Shasta Dam hydrology. Site floods frequently (2-4 year intervals). Restoration design must meet flood control design.
Vegetation Native seed sources further away, good conditions for non-native plant recruitment
Wildlife ResponseChanges in vegetation will alter wildlife usage on site and may increase native plant recruitment.
Geomorphologic processesMinor deposition and erosion, some “gouged” areas. Changes depend on pumping plant alternatives.
Management ActionsInitiate restoration activities for woody and herbaceous plants.
Riparian forest or woodland
Riparian savanna
Non-native herbaceous plants
Limited riparian plant recruitment
Riparian scrub
Riparian grassland
Non-native annuals
Non-native woody plants
?
Time: 3 - 40 years
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Planting Understory
Displace weeds Wildlife benefits
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Flooding Myths• Restoration causes flooding or
• No action =“Current conditions”= Future conditions
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Hydraulic Model (Ayres)
Ayres Associates. 2005. Draft Two Dimensional Hydraulic Modeling. Riparian Sanctuary, Llano Seco Unit, Sacramento River Mile 173-194. Sacramento, California.
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Velocity: Full vs. Site Specific Planting with cutoff
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Cross-section
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Water surface elevation: Current vsSite Specific Design
Project footprint
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The Un-cooperation Myths
• Local Ag. and Env. Groups Broker Mid-East Peace Deal
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Outreach Principals
Open, science-based, inclusive processCollaborate with local interests and maintain two way flow of informationGoal of a joint project, brought parties together.Flexible and responded to changes (i.e. monthly meetings, with CBDA rep.). Why has it worked?
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Participation
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Integration example: Current land use vs. site specific planting with cutoff
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What’s the alternative to working together?
“Not a good intention in sight”
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How do I get more information?
Dan Efseaff– [email protected]– (530)894-5401 ext 21
Web address– www.riverpartners.org
