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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

506647Full Tidal BasinFuture Full TidalMuted Pocket MarshMuted Tidal BasinsSeasonal Ponds4948466869454241Cordgrass Bench704039386371723029 3119 282014322721332625343735369132224237310122110 100 200 400 600 800MetersAvian ZonesBolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration ProjectOrange County, CAFigure 1-7Merkel & Associates, Inc.
Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Monitoring2007 Annual ReportBasin) occupy the northeastern section of Bolsa Chica. These zones generally contain less salt panne,with broad expanses of pickleweed that are not yet exposed to tidal influence. The portions of thesezones closest to the residential neighborhoods have an increased amount of weedy species, particularlyZone 47. Zones 68 through 73 are located within the FTB and are subject to full tidal influence. Zone68 (Rabbit Island) is located on the western portion of the site between Inner Bolsa Bay and the FTB.This zone previously had more habitat diversity than most of the other zones, with salt marsh, alkalimarsh, and upland plant species. The introduction of tidal influence in August 2006 has resulted in theinundation of much of Rabbit Island during high spring tides, causing the existing low elevationhabitats to die off as the area transitions into mudflats and low to middle marsh habitats. Zone 69borders Rabbit Island to the east. Zone 71 is the newly created California least tern and western snowyplover nesting site, Nest Site 1. Zone 71 is a relatively unvegetated, sandy strip that gently slopestowards the FTB. The remaining zones include the intertidal mudflat shelf on the eastern shore andopen water bounded by riprap along the shoreline. The Muted Pocket Marsh occurs north of RabbitIsland and is not hydrologically connected to the Bolsa Chica Lowlands; rather is experiences a mutedtidal influence through a restricted tidal inlet leading to Outer Bolsa Bay. This area is shallowintertidal and subtidal with salt marsh at the higher elevations. The northern shore of the Muted PocketMarsh in lined with large eucalyptus trees that died when tidal influence was introduced. The deadtrees that remain provide abundant roosting and perching habitat for multiple bird species that use themarsh.Survey MethodologyThe Muted Tidal Basins (MTB), Future Full Tidal Basin (FFTB), and Seasonal Ponds (Zones 1through 66) were surveyed on foot by teams of field biologists. The FTB (Zones 68 through 73) wassurveyed primarily by vehicles, with multiple stops to view and record birds with the exception ofZone 68 and 71. The southern and western side of Zone 68 was surveyed by foot along a pedestrianfoot trail. Zone 71, which is a breeding colony for terns and shorebirds, and the Muted Pocket Marshwas surveyed on foot.Birding in the muted tidal basins.Surveys began in October 2007 to mark the start of Year 2 of themonitoring program and will continue every other month for a 2-yearperiod. Surveys were conducted over a two-day period at each surveyinterval in such a way as to minimize the possibility of double-countsbetween the two days. The FTB, Seasonal Ponds, and Muted Pocket Marshwere surveyed the first day, and the FFTB and MTBs surveyed the secondday. The surveys were conducted during a tide low enough to expose themudflat on the eastern shore of the FTB, referred to often as the cordgrassbench, generally within a predicted oceanic tide range of +1.2 to +0.3m (+4to +1 ft) NAVD88. At this tide, the large sand shoals that have formed inthe inlet of the FTB where large numbers of gulls, cormorants, and pelicansloaf in the afternoon were not exposed.October surveys were conducted on October 17 and 18, 2007. December surveys were conducted onDecember 3 and 4, 2007. The tide range during those surveys was+1.2 to +0.3m (+4 to +1 ft)NAVD88. Although logging tide gauges were in place in the FTB to document tidal lag and muting,those data were not available at the time of the survey; therefore predicted oceanic tides were used.The aim was to survey the FTB and Muted Pocket Marsh on a falling tide that exposed the mid- tohigh intertidal flats.Merkel & Associates, Inc. 37
Page 1 and 2: BOLSA CHICA LOWLANDSRESTORATION PRO
Page 3: Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Mo
Page 7 and 8: Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Mo
Page 9: Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Mo
Page 20 and 21: MutedPocket MarshSTATION 1wq1STATIO
Page 22 and 23: 22Temperature35Salinity2134.5203419
Page 30 and 31: Cordgrass Planting Area (0.7 acres)
Page 32 and 33: BS PM Rep1BS PM Rep2BS PM Rep3PS1 R
Page 36 and 37: 100%California Halibut Size Class D
Page 46 and 47: FullMutedGrandFull Tidal Basin Tida
Page 48 and 49: FullMutedGrandFull Tidal Basin Tida
Page 68 and 69: M&A# 05-162-01August 2006 to Januar
Page 90 and 91:
Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Mo
Page 92 and 93:
Page 94 and 95:
Page 96 and 97:
Page 98 and 99:
Page 100 and 101:
Page 102 and 103:
Page 104 and 105:
Page 106 and 107:
Page 108 and 109:
Page 110 and 111:
Page 112 and 113:
Sampling Location CoordinatesCalifo
Page 114 and 115:
Cordgrass Transplant in Bolsa Chica
Page 116 and 117:
Page 118 and 119:
Shorebirds (cont'd)Upland birdsRudd
Page 120 and 121:
50664749484668694542417040393863717
Page 122 and 123:
2007 Breeding Season for the Califo
Page 124:
Ninety-five-percent of documented m
Page 128 and 129:
Final ReportWestern Snowy Plover Ne
Page 130 and 131:
StudyAreaMeters0 250 500 1,000Figur
Page 132 and 133:
2007 Nest LocationsNest LocationAt
Page 134 and 135:
Western Snowy Plover Nesting at Bol
Page 136 and 137:
Page 138 and 139:
Page 140 and 141:
Page 142 and 143:
Page 144 and 145:
Page 146 and 147:
Page 148 and 149:
Page 150 and 151:
Page 152 and 153:
Bolsa Chica Lowlandss Restoration M
Page 154 and 155:
Page 156 and 157:
Page 158 and 159:
Page 160 and 161:
Page 162 and 163:
Page 164 and 165:
Page 166 and 167:
Page 168 and 169:
Page 170 and 171:
Page 172 and 173:
Page 174 and 175:
Page 176 and 177:
Page 178 and 179:
Page 180 and 181:
Page 182 and 183:
Page 184 and 185:
Page 186 and 187:
Page 188 and 189:
Page 190 and 191:
Page 192 and 193:
Page 194 and 195:
Page 196 and 197:
Page 198 and 199:
Page 200 and 201:
Page 202 and 203:
Page 204 and 205:
Page 206 and 207:
Page 208 and 209:
Page 210 and 211:
Page 212 and 213:
Page 214 and 215:
Page 216 and 217:
Page 218:
show all

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

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?