2007 Annual Monitoring Report (pdf 16MB) - Bolsa Chica Lowlands ...

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Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Monitoring2007 Annual ReportDisturbed Southern Coastal Salt MarshThis habitat category was used to distinguish areas ofsouthern coastal salt marsh that are degraded due primarilyto disturbance by heavy equipment and vehicles associatedwith both the construction elements of the restorationprogram and the on-going contamination remediationactivities within the oil field. This category was also usedfor channels that were dug out of the marsh as part of therestoration of the MTBs. These channels remainedunvegetated and are primarily dry due to the delay inopening the MTBs to the FTB. These will be recategorizedin future assessments once the basins are opened to tidal influence.Disturbed coastal salt marsh in the muted tidal basin.Mule Fat ScrubMule fat scrub occurs primarily in the southeast portion of the seasonal ponds, where perennialfreshwater input support several freshwater vegetation communities, and sporadically along the easternboundaries of the study area near other sources of freshwater. This habitat is nearly monotypic mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia).Coastal Sage ScrubBaccharis scrub occurring within the project site is mapped as coastal sage scrub. This habitat iscomposed almost entirely of coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis) and various non-native weeds such asradish (Raphanus sativus) and black mustard (Brassica nigra). Baccharis scrub is a sub-class ofcoastal sage scrub that is generally almost entirely dominated by coyote brush and is typicallyindicative of greater soil disturbance, higher moisture levels, and/or sandier soils. This vegetationoccurs near the more highly disturbed eastern boundary of the study area.Coastal and Valley Freshwater MarshOne small area of coastal and valley freshwater marsh was mapped in the southeast corner of theseasonal ponds. The freshwater marsh is composed primarily of broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia)and narrow-leaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), with occasional California Bulrush (Scirpus californicus)and prairie bulrush (Scirpus robustus) nearby. This small freshwater marsh persists on the margin ofthe coastal salt marsh due to perennial freshwater input as both surface runoff and groundwaterseepage from adjacent lands.Southern Arroyo Willow Riparian ForestA single mature stand of arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) occurs adjacent to the freshwater marsh andmule fat scrub in the southeastern portion of the seasonal ponds. This willow stand is associated withhigh amounts of seepage from the adjacent bluff as well as surface run-off sources.Merkel & Associates, Inc. 21
Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Monitoring2007 Annual ReportDecaying/Transitional VegetationThis habitat was used to describe transitionalvegetation communities exhibiting theeffects of exposure to regular tidal influencefollowing long periods of freshwaterinfluence or intermittent inundation. Thisincluded the many dead eucalyptus trees thatring the Muted Pocket Marsh and presentlyprovide roosting and perching habitat for avariety of birds. These trees will eventuallydecay and begin to fall into the marsh. Thiscategory was also used to describe nearly allDecaying marsh vegetation at Rabbit Island.of Rabbit Island. Prior to the opening of theFTB to the ocean, Rabbit Island supported upland species at the highest elevations and was ringed bycoastal salt marsh. Following the introduction of tidal influence, which at extreme tide submergesmuch of Rabbit Island, both the upland and salt marsh vegetation began to die. The majority of RabbitIsland is now covered with the standing dead woody stalks of past marsh and upland vegetation. It isanticipated that coastal salt marsh will become established at the mid- to high salt marsh elevations andcordgrass (Spartina foliosa) and mudflats will dominate at the lower marsh elevations.Non-Native VegetationNon-native vegetation was mapped primarily on the eastern boundaries of the study area in associationwith various construction activities and staging areas, as well as residential areas that contributeescaped landscape plantings. Common species include: radish, black mustard, castor-bean (Ricinuscommunis), myoporum (Myoporum laetum), hottentot fig(Carpobrotus edulis), and tumbleweed (Amaranthus albus).Notably, there is little to no occurrence of the highlyinvasive non-natives giant reed (Arundo donax) or pampasgrass (Cortaderia selloana) within the study area.Non-native vegetation and urban/developed areasadjacent to Freeman Creek.The areas immediately adjacent to the levee roadsbordering the marshes often supported a narrow mix ofroadside weeds and a few native species such asgoldenbush (Isocoma menziesii). These areas were notcalled out as a distinct habitat, rather included in either thecoastal salt marsh they were mixed with or theurban/developed road, as appropriate.Salt PanneBroad areas in much of the coastal salt marsh are unvegetated salt panne, particularly in the seasonalpond and future full tidal areas. These areas were historically inundated by seawater management onthe subsided marsh plain. These areas, however, are currently inundated intermittently by freshwater.These low permeability areas collect water during rainy months and dry though evaporation asconditions warm during spring and summer months. This leaves hypersaline conditions that areinhospitable to most marsh plants. Although pickleweed has colonized much of the salt panne areas,the areas lowest in elevation that pool water for long periods, remain unvegetated.Merkel & Associates, Inc. 22
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Page 20 and 21: MutedPocket MarshSTATION 1wq1STATIO
Page 22 and 23: 22Temperature35Salinity2134.5203419
Page 30 and 31: Cordgrass Planting Area (0.7 acres)
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Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Mo
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Sampling Location CoordinatesCalifo
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Cordgrass Transplant in Bolsa Chica
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Shorebirds (cont'd)Upland birdsRudd
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2007 Breeding Season for the Califo
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Ninety-five-percent of documented m
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Final ReportWestern Snowy Plover Ne
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StudyAreaMeters0 250 500 1,000Figur
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2007 Nest LocationsNest LocationAt
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Western Snowy Plover Nesting at Bol
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