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

Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Monitoring2007 Annual Reportonce the basins are opened to the FTB and is expected to recover at mid-to high-marsh elevationsaround Rabbit Island. Cordgrass and eelgrass were transplanted throughout the FTB in August 2007,as detailed below. The cordgrass is anticipated to establish on the broad intertidal mudflats on theeastern shore to the FTB, as well as in the more protected shorelines of Rabbit Island.The first full vegetation monitoring event, including aerial photography, habitat mapping, transectsurveys, and soil analysis, will be conducted in summer 2008 (Year 2) as called for in the MonitoringPlan.RecommendationsContinued collection of aerial imagery each year (rather than in Years 2, 5, and 10 only) isrecommended, to track changes in water levels, site conditions, and habitat development.Eelgrass and Cordgrass TransplantA transplant of eelgrass and cordgrass was conducted in the FTB from August 11 to 24, 2007.Numerous volunteers came together to accomplish the task. Images from the joint efforts are includedin Appendix 1-C.Donor cordgrass was harvested from upper Newport Bay on August 11 by volunteers from the BolsaChica Ecological Reserve (BCER) and CDFG, mobilized and led by Jeff Stoddard of CDFG.Cordgrass was harvested as plugs with native sediment and was watered daily while awaitingtransplantation. On August 20, BCER volunteers led by M&A harvested additional cordgrass fromupper Newport Bay. Cordgrass was harvested as individual bare-root stems and bundled in dampenedburlap and transported to Bolsa Chica, along with the previously collected plugs. At Bolsa Chica, thebundles were stored in shallow plastic basins and a small amount of seawater (2-5 inches) was placedin each basin for overnight storage.On August 21 and 22, volunteers from the BCER, CDFG, and Orange County Conservation Corps(OCCC) as well as CDFG and M&A staff planted the cordgrass. Cordgrass plugs and bare-rootbundles were transplanted at seven locations in 45x5(m) blocks along the northeastern shore of the fulltidal basin, and at seven sites on the western shore of the basin, including Rabbit Island (Figure 1-4).A total of 0.3 hectare (0.7 acre) of cordgrass was transplanted. Based on the establishment andexpansion rates seen in a similar transplant conducted at Batiquitos Lagoon, it is expected that thecordgrass will begin to form continuous patches suitable as habitat within three to four years oftransplant (M&A, 2002).On August 22, volunteers from the National Marine Fisheries Service and M&A divers harvestedeelgrass from the Cabrillo Beach region of the Port of Los Angeles. Harvested eelgrass wastransported to Bolsa Chica and prepared for planting by BCER, CDFG, and OCCC volunteers underM&A direction. The eelgrass was planted by M&A divers in 45x5m blocks from August 22 to 24 atfifteen sites in the full tidal basin (Figure 1-4). A total of 0.4 hectare (0.7 acre) of eelgrass wastransplanted. The eelgrass is expected to expand rapidly both vegetatively and by seed.Development of the cordgrass and eelgrass habitats throughout the study area will be documentedannually as part of the vegetation mapping efforts.Merkel & Associates, Inc. 24