Native Ecosystem Restoration
Goal: Restore native plant and animal habitat based on sound
science and adaptive management.
Background: Fundamental understanding of the ecology and
population biology of native plant and animal species is key to
determining best management strategies for ecological restoration.
We conduct comprehensive assessments of habitat requirements
and identify measures required for maintenance or restoration of
habitat. We employ a variety of conservation management
techniques (mowing, burning, grazing, etc.) to control invasive
non-native plant species and to encourage healthy native
populations. For example, at Edgewood County Park and Natural
Preserve (San Mateo County, CA), we initiated a collaborative
effort to control invasive Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) using
mowing before seed heads have ripened, but after native plants
have had a chance to go to seed. In another collaborative effort at
Coyote Ridge (Santa Clara County, CA), we are controlling barb
goat grass (Aegilops triuncialis) by burning, also before seed
heads ripen.
download native ecosystem restoration vision pdf
Goal: Restore native plant and animal habitat based on sound
science and adaptive management.
Background: Fundamental understanding of the ecology and
population biology of native plant and animal species is key to
determining best management strategies for ecological restoration.
We conduct comprehensive assessments of habitat requirements
and identify measures required for maintenance or restoration of
habitat. We employ a variety of conservation management
techniques (mowing, burning, grazing, etc.) to control invasive
non-native plant species and to encourage healthy native
populations. For example, at Edgewood County Park and Natural
Preserve (San Mateo County, CA), we initiated a collaborative
effort to control invasive Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) using
mowing before seed heads have ripened, but after native plants
have had a chance to go to seed. In another collaborative effort at
Coyote Ridge (Santa Clara County, CA), we are controlling barb
goat grass (Aegilops triuncialis) by burning, also before seed
heads ripen.
download native ecosystem restoration vision pdf
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Creekside Center
for Earth Observation
for Earth Observation
| Controlled burn to restore serpentine grassland habitat at Coyote Ridge, California. (photo by S. Weiss) |
| Serpentine grassland habitat of Bay Checkerspot Butterfly and other protected species. (photo by S. Weiss) |
| Fire management in action. (photo by S. Weiss) |
| After burning, barb goat grass populations are reduced, enabling native populations to grow. (photo by S. Weiss) |
Elements of Restoration:
- Restoration need assessment: determine causes of
degradation, current habitat condition, and requirements for
habitat restoration. - Restoration planning: plan for practical, cost-effective
restoration - Site protection: limit human disturbance and
moderate/eliminate processes causing degradation - Habitat enhancement: improve/rehabilitate habitat quality
through strategic management activities - Invasive species control: reduce or eliminate undesirable
organisms by hand removal, burning, mowing, grazing,
biological controls, etc. - Native population enhancement/reintroduction : transport,
plant, or cultivate native populations - Adaptive management: implement site-specific
management plans, with periodic review of success - Education and outreach: develop general and site-specific
resources (curriculum, web, brochures, presentations, and
signage) for education and interpretation
Benefits
Contacts
Key Literature:
Weiss, S.B., and P.M. Rich. 2008. Recommendations
for Restoration of Monarch Butterfly Winter Habitat at
Norma B. Gibbs Park, Huntington Beach, CA.
Creekside Center for Earth Observation Report. pdf
Weiss, S.B., D.H. Wright, and C. Niederer. 2007.
Serpentine Vegetation Management Project Final
Report. Creekside Center for Earth Observation
Report. pdf
Weiss, S.B. 2006. Barb goat grass control on Coyote
Ridge, Santa Clara County, California. Creekside
Center for Earth Observation Report. pdf
Weiss, S.B. 2002. Final report on NFWF grant for
habitat restoration at Edgewood Natural Preserve, San
Mateo County, CA. Creekside Center for Earth
Observation Report, Menlo Park, CA. pdf (part 1, 3.4
MB) pdf (part 2, 2.4 MB)
- Conservation of native biodiversity
- Sound scientific basis for cost-effective restoration
- Compliance with government regulations
- Mitigation of human impacts
Contacts
- Stuart B. Weiss, PhD, CEO and Chief Scientist,
Creekside Center for Earth Observation, stu at
creeksidescience.com - Christal Niederer, Staff Scientist, Creekside
Center for Earth Observation, christal at
creeksidescience.com
Key Literature:
Weiss, S.B., and P.M. Rich. 2008. Recommendations
for Restoration of Monarch Butterfly Winter Habitat at
Norma B. Gibbs Park, Huntington Beach, CA.
Creekside Center for Earth Observation Report. pdf
Weiss, S.B., D.H. Wright, and C. Niederer. 2007.
Serpentine Vegetation Management Project Final
Report. Creekside Center for Earth Observation
Report. pdf
Weiss, S.B. 2006. Barb goat grass control on Coyote
Ridge, Santa Clara County, California. Creekside
Center for Earth Observation Report. pdf
Weiss, S.B. 2002. Final report on NFWF grant for
habitat restoration at Edgewood Natural Preserve, San
Mateo County, CA. Creekside Center for Earth
Observation Report, Menlo Park, CA. pdf (part 1, 3.4
MB) pdf (part 2, 2.4 MB)
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