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Hirt_VegetationManagement&CLTENestingCorrection
- 1. Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management within a California Least Tern Habitat Restoration Area Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… Presented by: Christina Hirt, Conservation Project Coordinator at San Diego Audubon Society (SDAS) Presented to: SDAS Staff and Conservation Committee July 28, 2015 California Least Tern. Photo: Mark Pavelka/USFWS 1
- 2. Presentation Outline • California Least Tern (CLTE) status and nesting site management • SDAS management of CLTE nesting habitat • Research Question • Methods • Results – Vegetation Composition – Nesting Productivity • Discussion and Implications • Study Limitations • Suggestions for Future Research Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015 California Least Tern. Photo: W. Dalton 2Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats…
- 3. CLTE Nesting Site Locations in Mission Bay Mission Bay Eco-Map De Anza Point De Anza Cove Rose Creek Campland West Ski Island FAA Island PACIFICPASSAGE Cudahay Creek Enchanted Cove FIESTA ISLAND Hidden AnchorageStony Point South Shores Tecolote Creek ROBB FIELD E N T R A N C E C H A N N E L Quivira Basin Sea World MISSIONBAY CHA N N E L Mariner’s Point Bonita Cove Ventura Cove South Cove Ski Beach North Cove Bahia Point Santa Barbara Cove El Carmel Point San Juan Cove Santa Clara Point SAIL BAY Perez Cove PACIFIC OCEAN FIESTA BAY Famosa Slough Wildlife Preserve Kendall-Frost Reserve & Northern Wildlife Preserve Southern Wildlife Preserve North Fiesta island San Diego River Mouth N Grand Avenue Pacific Beach Drive Garnet Avenue MissionBlvd. Sports Arena Blvd Ingraham Street Sea World Dr. N.T.S. MISSION BAY PARK LEAST TERN NESTING SITES 8 5 Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… 3 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015 Legend California Least Tern Nesting Site
- 4. CLTE Nesting • 1970: California Least Tern (Sternula antillarum browni) placed on the endangered species list – 300 pairs in 14 sites across CA – In the past decade: Over 6000 pairs annually (Burton and Terrill, 2012) • Nesting habitat: relatively flat and open areas, with sparse vegetation – Eggs camouflaged to sand/shell nests • 20-40% vegetation cover and 1-10cm tall (Ryan, et al. 2010) Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… California Least Tern, chick with eggs. Photo: Lindsey Addison 4 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 5. SDAS Recent Work SDAS work began with SANDAG funded TransNet EMP 11 Grant: 1.Will restoring coastal dune habitat = increased nesting activity and productivity of CLTEs? 2.What vegetation management is most effective in establishing coastal dune habitat/minimizing the presence of invasive species? 3.How do vegetation management options compare to status quo vegetation treatment? Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… 5 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 6. SDAS Site Management • SDAS: 4 CLTE nesting sites – Mariner’s Point (MP), Stony Point (SP), North Fiesta Island (NFI), FAA Island (FAA) • Sites using hand management – MP: Over 25 years – SP: Plots (2012-2013), South of G line (2014-2015) – NFI: Plots (2012-2013) – FAA • Sites using mechanical management – SP: Controls (2012-2013), then North of G line (2014-2015) – NFI: Controls Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… 6 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 7. Research Question What is the relationship between vegetation management strategies and California Least Tern nesting productivity? – Productivity is defined by # nesting pairs, # nests, # fledglings, and fledgling per pair ratio Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… Photos: W. Dalton, L. Hedlund, M. Stinnett 7 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 8. Methods • Vegetation Monitoring – Transects (11.0m total, 0.25 meter intervals) – Quadrats (1m,5m,10m) • Data entry into Excel documents – Vegetation Species Composition along Transects – Vegetation Height Class – Ground Cover Classes of Quadrats – Rare Species Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… 8 Transect Methodology. TNEMP 11 Presentation, SDAS Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 9. 9 Methods Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… • Collect and analyze relevant vegetation monitoring data from SDAS archives • Collect and analyze relevant data from CA Department of Fish and Wildlife “California Least Tern Breeding Surveys” Photos: W. Dalton, L. Hedlund, M. Stinnett Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 10. Native Vegetation Index 10Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… Nutall’s Lotus Acmispon prostratus Beach Evening Primrose Camissoniopsis cheranthifolia x bistorta Coast Woolly Head Nemacaulis denudata Lewis’s Evening Primrose Camissoniopsis lewisii Salt Heliotrope Heliotropium curassavicum Pink Sand Verbena Abronia umbellata Silver Beach Bur Ambrosia chamissonis Suaeda/California Seablite Suaeda taxifolia Photo Credit: Rebecca Schwartz, 2015 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 11. Invasive Vegetation Index 11Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… Filaree Erodium cicutarium Devil’s Thorn Emex spinosa Crystalline Iceplant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Sahara Mustard Brassica tournefortii Cheeseweed Malva parviflora European Sea Rocket Cakile maritima Telegraph Weed Heterotheca grandiflora Cocklebur Xanthium strumarium Yellow Sweet Clover Melilotus officinalis Hawk’s Beard Crepis sp. Crown Daisy/ Garland Crysanthemum Glebionis coronaria Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica Tumbleweed Salsola tragus x gobicola Five Hook Bassia Bassia hyssopifolia Photo Credit: Rebecca Schwartz, 2015 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 12. Season/Ye ar Spring 2012 Spring 2013 Spring 2014 Spring 2015 Mariner’s Point Stony Point North Fiesta Island Native vs. Invasive Composition 12 Native Vegetation Invasive Vegetation Figure Key Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015 Mechanical Hand Fall 2013 Hand Mechanical Fall 2012 Mechanical Hand Mechanical
- 13. Season/Ye ar Spring 2012 Spring 2013 Spring 2014 Spring 2015 Mariner’s Point Stony Point North Fiesta Island Fall 2013Fall 2012 Vegetation Height 13 Class 3 (20cm or greater) Class 2 (10 to 20cm) Class 1 (1 to 10cm) Bare Ground Figure Key Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015 Hand Hand Mechanical Mechanical Mechanical Mechanical Mechanical Hand Hand Hand
- 14. 14 Stony Point Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 15. 15 Stony Point: A Case Study North of G Line Species Composition Vegetation Height Spring 2014 (mechanical) Spring 2015 (mechanical) South of G Line Species Composition Vegetation Height Spring 2014 (hand managed) Spring 2015 (hand managed) Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… Figure Key Native Vegetation Invasive Vegetation Class 3 (20cm or greater) Class 2 (10 to 20cm) Class 1 (1 to 10cm) Bare Ground Figure Key Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 16. Nesting Productivity Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… Figure Key Nesting Pairs* Nests Fledglings* *Nesting pairs, fledglings, and per pair ratio were calculated using the average between minimum and maximum estimates from CDFW reports 16 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 17. Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… The chart above shows the average CLTE fledgling per pair ratios for all five locations, and Mission Bay totals. This chart compares site averages from the 2006-2011 and 2012-2014 time periods. Mariner’s Point (MP) and North Fiesta Island (NFI) show an increased fledgling per pair ratio in the 2012-2014 time period. Mission Bay as a whole (MB), Stony Point (SP), FAA Island, and SD River Mouth show a decrease in average fledgling per pair ration in the 2012-2014 time period. 17 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 18. Discussion - Implications • North Fiesta Island: Lowest nesting productivity – Highest percentage of category 3 vegetation height & invasive vegetation – Across both hand / mechanical management – High fledgling per pair ratio 2012-2014 • Stony Point: Highly variable nesting productivity – Hand managed plots increase height diversity – Plant composition highly variable • Mariner’s Point: highest nesting productivity – Consistent height variability – Native vegetation increased each year Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… California Least Tern feeding chick. Photo: S. Nelson-Embry 18 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 19. Study Limitations • No vegetation data for MP Spring 2012 and mostly Fall NFI vegetation data • Compounding factors for nesting productivity – Predator Management – Food source availability • Limited information on historical vegetation composition Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… California Least Tern, with eggs. Photo: N. Johnston 19 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 20. Recommendations for Future Work • Continued analysis of vegetation composition • Continued monitoring of predator presence • Internal work for Audubon staff: Update vegetation classifications – Native, Non-Native, Invasive Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… 20 California Least Tern. Photo: J. Oldenettel Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 21. Acknowledgements 21 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Geodactics/17605523916 8094 www.sandiegoaudubon.org http://www.sandag.org/ VOLUNTEERS! Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… http://www.fws.gov/ https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/ Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 22. Questions? Christina Hirt SDAS Conservation Project Coordinator (2014-2015) Independent Researcher USD Graduate christina.hirt13@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/pub/ch ristina-hirt/52/731/537 22Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
- 23. References • Burton, R. and Terrill S. 2012. “Least Tern Literature Review and Study Plan Development.” H.T. Harvey & Associates. • Frost, N. 2006-2014. “California Least Tern Breeding Survey.” State of California Natural Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Wildlife. • Mission Bay Master Plan Update. 1997. “Habitat Enhancement Guidelines.” • Redfern, C. 2013. “Mission Bay Park Conservation Plan: Habitat Assessment, Invasive Control, and Community-Based Habitat Restoration.” San Diego Audubon Society. • Ryan, T. et al. 2010. “Venice Beach Least Tern Colony Habitat Improvement and Restoration Study, 2006-2009.” State California The Resources Agency Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Branch. Fostering the protection and appreciation of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats… 23 Hirt, Efficacy of Hand Treatment for Invasive Plant Management, SDAS, July 28, 2015
Editor's Notes
- This project is intended to describe the trends in CLTE nesting and associated vegetation composition based on different management techniques. This was not a scientific study conducted to produce results, but rather a summary of the data collected over time in an attempt to see what is happening over time.
- Orient audience to map colors, symbols show CLTE nesting sites
- Every year now, there are over 6000 pairs due to intensive nesting site management practices and predator management efforts Eggs are light tan to beige background and black, tan and gray markings Not only is the CA Least Tern a state and federally listed endangered species, it is covered here in San Diego by both the Multiple Species Conservation Program and the Multiple Habitat Conservation Program. As of 2004, over 1% of the global population of California Least Terns nested within Mission Bay Park. Unfortunately there has been a substantial decrease in not only nesting pairs but especially fledglings produced by CLTE populations in Mission Bay. In a period covering 2000-2004, there were 400 nesting pairs and 125 chicks fledged in Mission Bay. During the next five year period, 2005-2009, there were 200 nesting pairs and only 14 chicks fledged. This decline is thought to be the result of multiple stressors working synergistically within Mission Bay Park to negatively affect CLTE productivity. The three most significant of these stressors being Human disturbance, vegetation cover change, predation, food availability.
- (Trans Net Environmental Mitigation Program) Will restoring coastal dune habitat result in increased nesting activity and productivity of CLTEs? Which alt. vegetation management options are most effective in establishing coastal dune habitat and minimizing the presence of invasive species? How do alt. management options compare to status quo vegetation treatment in providing appropriate vegetation cover for CLTE nesting?
- We have not taken vegetation data for FAA Management regimes for SP have changed over time, but the plots are the same, more detail will be provided in future slides.
- With SDAS and the data we did have, it would be helpful for us to know: this research question
- Seasonal comparison for consistency, Fall and Spring will inevitably look different - 1 plant recorded in Spring 2014, cammis Major Trends: MP: native veg increases every year -SP: inconsistent trends, sand amendment in Spring 2014 on hand side may account for increased invasive plant presence -NFI: about 50-50 each season
- Ideal veg height would be lots of bare ground (sand/shell), some class 1, and little class 2 and 3, but also maintaining height diversity. Not 100% bare or 100% class 1. Major Trends: MP: consistent with height diversity and very low numbers of class 3 or class 2 SP: Some height diversity in earlier seasons, Spring 2015 shows promise with diversity and mostly bareground NFI: highest percentages of class 3 vegetation found here, both types of treatment look fairly similiar
- 2012-2013 the four plots on site were hand managed and the rest of the site was mechanically scraped and sprayed, the lines are the controls From 2014-2015 we increased hand management efforts to everything south of the “G line” in red -since the management strategies for this site have changed over time, it is not set up
- 2014 sand amendment Increased native in hand managed plots from 2014-2015 Increased invasive in mechanical plots
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- Reasons SP is inconclusive: sand amendment in 2014 changed composition of site, a small data set also does not take into account introduction and invasion of new species each year (for example, ice plant used to be a huge problem, but this year it was taken care of very efficiently, whereas sea rocket became a major problem) Mariner’s Point supports other studies stating that hand management is best because invasive species of plants thrive on disturbance of mechanically scraping a site.
- Part of this research was to look at historical images and information about the vegetation on the sites prior to SDAS management. Through various database searches, I was unable to find information about vegetation on these CLTE nesting sites prior to SDAS efforts.