Angeles National Forest Invasive Plant Project Station Fire Burn Area

Transcription

1 Tiernan Doyle California State Polytechnic Unversity, Pomona January-August 2013 Advisor: Katie VinZant Submitted September 12, 2013 Angeles National Forest Invasive Plant Project Station Fire Burn Area

2 Table of Contents Executive Summary... 4 Project Objectives... 6 Project Tasks... 7 Project Approach... 8 Project Outcomes... 9 Working with the USDA Conclusion... 11

3 Acknowledgements This project was supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

4 Executive Summary Project Objectives The 2009 Station Fire burned 160,000 acres, consuming more than 25% of the Angeles National Forest, including habitats supporting over 2000 different native plant species in 35 different vegetation types from desert scrub oak to subalpine mixed conifer forests to coastal sage chaparral. During the Station Fire, bulldozer lines, hand lines, drop zones, roads, newly burned soil, and areas previously infested by invasive weeds increased the vulnerability for invasive weed establishment on approximately 143,000 acres. At least 35 species of invasive weeds known to occur within the burned area are hindering recovery of native and sensitive plant species, including twenty-three special status wildlife species and fifteen plant species of concern. The Angeles National Forest provides critical resources for the approximately 13 million people who live within an hour s drive of the forest and rely on the forest for 33% of their drinking water and 72% of their open space. Project Tasks This project primarily involved tasks related to the mapping, documentation, and control/eradication of high priority invasive plant species in recently burned areas on the Angeles National Forest. The purpose of the project was to prioritize the treatment of new weed infestations or those populations that posed the greatest risk to special status plants, wildlife, or high quality habitat in general. Mapping was performed using GPS equipment. Documentation included assessments on invasive plant population characteristics such as size, growth potential, and best management techniques. These assessments were utilized to determine and prioritize invasive plant control/eradication techniques on a population basis. Project Approach This project spanned across the Angeles National Forest, which contains many watersheds. Work, however, took place primarily in the San Gabriel and Pacoima watersheds. The majority of this project focused on riparian areas burned in the Station Fire. The long term benefits of invasive plant removal in these riparian areas are restoration of hydrologic function, water quantity and quality, native plant cover, and wildlife habitat. In order to successfully complete this portion of the project, interns were responsible for identification of invasive plants by sight; mapping using GPS equipment and topographical maps; documentation of assessments on invasive plant population characteristics; control/eradication techniques including herbicide use and manual pulling by hand; driving 4x4 vehicles in steep, rocky terrain; and hiking in extremely steep and rugged/backcountry terrain. Project Outcomes Data collected from this project was instrumental in creating accurate assessments of ecosystem health. Information about the current spread of invasive plants within the forest can be compared with historic data to determine the rate of encroachment. This project will also help to locate areas of rapid invasive spread so they can be targeted with more rigorous management strategies. It also contributes to the safety of environmentally sensitive areas by reducing habitat degradation and helps ensure a

5 sustainable resource stream available to urban areas. Experiential Learning Engaging in real work for the Forest Service provided an invaluable learning experience and offered a multitude of new job skills. Taking part in field surveys and interacting with professionals in the Forest Service helped me to make the crucial transition from theory to practice. While educational work provides grounding for skill sets, practical application of that material through experiential learning brings nuanced understanding and creates new skills that are founded in both academic and work experience.

6 Project Objectives Station Fire On August 26th, 2009, arson resulted in a burn that spread rapidly throughout the Angeles National Forest. The blaze was not contained until two months later, after the tragic death of two firefighters. Once the fire was finished, it had burned almost 252 square miles, a total of 161,189 acres. The Station Fire was the largest in the recorded history of Los Angeles County and had accrued a cost of over 95 million dollars. In addition to economic considerations and losses of homes and lives, the Station Fire caused a great deal of destruction to infrastructure and archaeological sites as well as damage to land and water resources. To redress and mitigate the negative impacts of the fire, the Station Fire Restoration Strategy (SFRS) was created in consultation with a diverse pool of specialists from the Forest Service, US Geological Survey, American Conservation Organization, and local Angeles resource staff. Trusting the knowledge of its authors to create strategies for specific fire restoration actions, the overall goals of the SFRS aligned with the larger targets of the Angeles National Forest Land Management Plan. This meant that restoration was focused on promoting community connection to the land; providing a balanced flow of resources for a growing and diverse population; and ensuring sustained and long-term ecosystem health, biological diversity, and species recovery. Goals of Project The goals of this project were focused on identifying and containing the spread of invasive species throughout the Station Fire burn area. Invasive plants have become one of the greatest threats to watershed and ecosystem health, and the number of federal and local programs dedicated to fighting invasive encroachment has proliferated greatly over the past thirteen years. As populations of invasive plants increase within forest areas, they destroy habitat, alter fire regimes, and decrease ground and surface water quality and quantity. This in turn destabilizes wildlife populations, contributing to increases in endangered and threatened species listings. It also causes decreases in biodiversity and puts homes and lives in danger with the highly increased likelihood of fire outbreaks. Compromising water quality and quantity harms wildlife and other plant species within the forest, but also reduces the clean water supply available to urban populations. This is especially important in the Angeles National Forest as it is close to one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States (U.S. Census 2010). Identifying Invasive Populations In order to successfully manage invasive species, a multi-faceted approach was necessary that addressed encroachment on a watershed scale, and created data for productive analysis. Most crucial for the process was identification of the invasive plants. This included collecting information on the species, where the outbreak was located, and the size of the population. Once these populations were recorded, they were analyzed so that suitable management techniques could be recommended. Management techniques included eradication methods such as hand pulling and spraying with pesticides. Hand pulling was conducted both with and without tools such as weed wrenches, pick axes, mattocks, pulaskis, and rock bars. Spraying was conducted only with NEPA clearance and was usually reserved for larger populations outside of environmentally sensitive areas.

7 Project Tasks The tasks of the project were selected and performed to successfully complete the project objectives. As the tasks were comprehensive of both field eradication and data collection, they provided a broad set of benefits to watershed health and land management. Invasive plant identification was performed in the field using plant keys, pamphlets, weed books, and photo identification. GPS devices were used for hiking navigation through the backcountry and for creating digital map points of invasive plant populations. Documentation included the day-to-day completion of field survey notes and reports on larger drainage conditions. Control/eradication techniques were performed based on the demands of population size and plant type. Driving in technical mountain terrain required the use of 4x4 vehicles. Backcountry hiking took place in steep terrain inaccessible by mechanical means and to prevent harm to environmentally sensitive areas.

8 Project Approach The methods of approach for this project were carefully chosen to accomplish the project tasks as effectively as possible. Topographic maps of the Station Fire burn area were used to systematically select and survey all drainages within the affected watersheds. Trained crews, deployed in small numbers to minimize environmental impact, performed identification of invasive plant species and population size. Quizzes on plant identification combined with field exercises in identification and ecosystem health helped to maintain and build on skills throughout the work season. Handheld GPS units were used to mark the location of invasive plant populations. Information on the species and population size were recorded and the data transferred to a GIS database. In addition to GPS data, field notes were also taken and compiled at the end of the day to be translated into digital format. At the end of the day, all tools that had been used were cleaned and processed to maintain their quality and to prevent the spread of invasive seed and plant matter into new drainages. Agency vehicles were returned to the Supervisor s Office, and trash and invasive plants collected throughout the day were carefully disposed of, to prevent the spread of unwanted materials. Backpacks and gear were also restocked and maintained on an individual basis to make sure that everything was in readiness for an effective and early start the following morning. The planned approach to this project did not change over the field season as it was shown to be effective and completely consistent with both the goals of the SFRS and the Land Management Plan of the Angeles National Forest. Continued surveys within the Station Fire area showed demonstrably fewer invasive species; the small teams with GPS units showed good data collection results; and the low-impact hiking strategies provided continued environmental protection to sensitive areas.

9 Project Outcomes The greatest value of this project lies in the data that was collected through the detailed, season-long surveys throughout the watersheds of the Station Fire burn area. Mapping and analysis of this data will provide a detailed picture of the conditions which invasive plants, the speed and breadth of their expansion, and which eradication techniques were most effective. In addition to data collection, however, the structure of the project tasks also allowed for immediate eradication of the invasive species that are the most prolific propagators and resource consumers. The effectiveness of this approach can be seen in the comparison of Tamarix ramosissima spread in the drainages of the Station Fire burn area from Survey analysis from this field season showed that sprouting T. ramosissima numbered hundreds less than for eradication efforts in earlier seasons. Any mature trees sighted were from before the burn and it is possible to show that no new trees have reached maturity since the beginning of this project. The identification and analysis process of this project created a much clearer picture of invasive-related actions necessary for the preservation of watershed and forest health. With this data collection and prepared documentation, it is possible to strengthen existing partnerships between the Forest Service and Los Angeles County for invasive management throughout all the watersheds of the Angeles National Forest. It also provides comparison cases for other federal agencies and national forests so that invasive programs will be more comprehensive and strongly supported throughout the public lands system. The information from this project can also be used to seek out new partnerships with non-profit agencies or volunteering groups that will promote connection to the land and show how community efforts can reverse the negative effects of invasive species encroachment.

10 Working with the USDA Working on this project provided me with valuable experience for a variety of career paths. Combining this work with my education, I have become much better prepared to undertake a career with the USDA as a Landscape Architect or Outdoor Recreation Planner. Working towards my Masters degree in Landscape Architecture, I learned how to perform site analysis and inventory, how to plan and design trails and recreation areas, and create land use suitability maps and recommendations. Within the program I focused my efforts on designs for healthy habitat, environmental restoration projects and multifunctional sites that operate for the benefit of both people and landscape. My work at Cal Poly Pomona has also given me the opportunity to lead community workshops and become comfortable interacting with and presenting before a wide variety of audiences. Landscape Architect Looking toward specific career goals with the USDA, my experience with the Forest Service has given me valuable experience towards becoming a Landscape Architect for the agency. I was able to interface with a variety of experts employed by the Forest Service, as I communicated with professional botanists and biologists and learned from their expertise. I also performed environmental monitoring and land analysis tasks that contribute greatly to strong feasibility study, land use planning, and site selection skills. Working in the field showed me how important it is to be familiar with the landscape and prevalent land use patterns of the forest. With this knowledge, I could communicate with other Forest Service employees, see how my tasks fit into larger land management plans, and work to better address the needs of forest ecosystems and recreation users. Outdoor Recreation Planner In terms of outdoor recreation planning, this experience gave me the skills for writing environmental reports, participating in environmental analysis of proposed projects, and making recommendations about how the land should be used for recreation. I was also able to interact with forest users, and participate in team-based work with other Forest Service employees. This work experience very much complimented the education that I received, which was based on theoretical understanding and academic studies of forest recreation use. Being able to see first hand the effects of trail construction, hunting, OHV, and other recreational uses on the forest gave me insight into how to meet the needs of visitors while still meeting the goals of environmental protection. My employment with the U.S. Forest Service has given me insight into the intricacies of the wildland/urban interface, experience with interagency land management, and a strong basis in public policy related to land use and preservation. The nature of my work with the USFS required intense attention to detail and the ability to work effectively on a team under difficult circumstances, but also provided me with an appreciation for what a difference careful land planning can make in supporting ecosystem function around urban environments. I also learned much about the effects of fire on the ecosystem, successional habitats, and the importance of wildland planning.

11 Conclusion Invasive removal has been shown to have a multitude of benefits for urban areas and forest ecosystems. If left unchecked, invasive plant populations can destroy water quality and restrict flow quantities to urban areas; degrade the habitat of sensitive species; threaten endangered animals; and detrimentally alter the function of ecosystems on a watershed-wide scale. Using small, trained crews to focus on the identification and eradication of invasive plant populations, this project directly addressed this threat for the Station Fire burn area in order to manage and promote healthy land, water, and ecosystem function within the Angeles National Forest. This project showed the positive impact that careful land management and project planning can have in protecting sensitive environmental areas. Following the goals of the SFRS, this project displayed holistic concern for watershed health, good management of the resources needed in urban areas, and new methods of land stewardship from the cooperative efforts between volunteers, federal agencies, and county officials. Analysis of the data from this field season showed fewer invasives occurring in the Station Fire burn area, and new surveys provided quick identification of previously unseen populations so they could be efficiently eradicated. This project also provides a valuable base for future research and management focused on invasive plant populations. Data from this and past field seasons can be used to create trend maps on the spread of invasive plants as well as the efficacy of containment efforts. This will show not only which areas should be targeted for more vigorous invasive eradication efforts, but also which containment methods are the most effective and the conditions in which they should be deployed. The data may also be used to compare burn areas with invasive management, such as the Station Fire area, and those that have not received such consideration. Authors of future burn area management plans will be able to use this information in crafting their own recommendations for post-fire recovery and the promotion of watershed health. Working on this project was an incredible learning experience for me and went far in furthering my career goals, especially as regards the United States Department of Agriculture. Through this project, I was exposed to fundamental concepts of large scale forest management and the large and small scale tasks that help public forest lands to maintain their health and accessibility to the public. Learning how invasive plant management intersected with larger concerns of watershed health gave me new insight into how all the pieces of land management work together, and how intricate large scale environmental planning is. This holistic perspective gave me a great deal of appreciation for the day to day fieldwork that I performed, and allowed me to see how my work meshed with the larger concerns of both the project and the Angeles National Forest itself. Performing highly detailed, location-specific work in the field while still ensuring that the results were relevant to the larger needs of the Station Fire watershed was an incredibly valuable lesson, and one that would not have been nearly as memorable or as impactful if brought up in the classroom. Experiential learning also provided me with the opportunity to interact with forest users, and to directly understand how their activity affected the forest. These opportunities would not have

12 been provided by any classroom activities or lessons, but I value the knowledge very much. Having been provided with the chance to take part in this experiential learning internship, I will be able to take the skills learned there and apply them to future career opportunities, no matter where I am or what I am doing. Whether as a Landscape Architect or Outdoor Recreation Planner, I can use this experience with natural resource management and invasive plant research to contextualize my planning process and ensure that my work is undertaken with care and nuance for the protection of the land. I will also be able to communicate with a diverse range of people, better structure my research towards the goals of my projects; and ensure that my projects are appropriate to their context, promote stewardship in their users, and display consistent concern for the health of the environment around them.