Southern California Oak Woodland Habitats

Transcription

1 Southern California Oak Woodland Habitats Climate Change Adaptation Synthesis Introduction The following section presents climate change adaptation planning results for oak woodland habitats. The results summarize discussions and activities completed by during a two-day adaptation workshop as well as peer-review comments and revisions and relevant examples from the literature or other similar efforts. 1 We first present current management goals identified by. The purpose of identifying management goals is to provide a foundation for evaluating whether and how climate change might affect the ability to achieve a given goal, and to develop options for reducing vulnerabilities through revised management activities. For each management goal, identified potential climate change vulnerabilities. This activity was followed by the evaluation of current management actions, including whether, in their current form, they can help to reduce identified vulnerabilities and/or how they can be modified to better address climate challenges. Following the evaluation of potential vulnerabilities of current management goals and actions, explored potential future management goals and adaptation strategies and identified more specific adaptation actions designed to reduce vulnerabilities or increase resilience of oak woodland habitats. For each adaptation action, then evaluated where, when, and how to implement those actions as well as collaboration and capacity needs. Lastly, we present a table summarizing all adaptation actions developed by as well as additional actions for consideration from the literature and from other similar efforts. Adaptation actions are grouped according to whether they (1) enhance resistance, (2) promote resilience, (3) facilitate transition, (4) increase knowledge, or (5) engage coordination in terms of responding to climate change. Defining Terms Goal: A desired result for a given resource. Adaptation strategy: General statements of how to reduce vulnerabilities or increase resilience of current management goals. Adaptation actions: Specific activities that facilitate progress towards achieving an adaptation strategy. Management Goals and Potential Vulnerabilities Workshop identified four key current management goals for oak woodland habitats: (1) Maintain oak woodlands, 1 Workshop included: David Austin, USFS; Betsy Dionne, Riverside County Regional Park and Open- Space District; Melody Lardner, USFS; Megan Lulow, Irvine Ranch Conservancy; Nicole Molinari, USFS; James Payne, Morongo Band of Mission Indians; Zach Principe, TNC; and Jenny Rechel, USFS Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 1

2 (2) Reduce oak mortality, (3) Remove/Manage invasive species, and (4) Implement prescribed fire in adjacent chaparral habitats to reduce fuels and fire spread into oak woodlands. As part of the workshop activities, identified potential climate and non-climate vulnerabilities to current management goals and actions for oak woodland habitats. Vulnerabilities identified included: Increased temperature Decreased precipitation, leading to drought Reduced soil moisture for seedlings to access, affecting survival Increased drought that: o Kills seedlings and trees (need ~3 years of average to above-average rainfall for seedling establishment) o Causes pests to spread o Leads to changes in vegetation structure (i.e., more open/less oak canopy); less canopy leads to less foraging niches, leading to decreased bird diversity Increased fire (frequency and severity) that kills seedlings and trees Increased invasive plants within oak stands due to soil disturbances Species shifts Firewood movement Greater stress overall Reduced funding Difficulty implementing prescribed fire due to air quality issues and burn windows, and available fire equipment/resources In response to these vulnerabilities, then evaluated whether or not existing management actions may be effective in reducing vulnerability; identified what, if any, climate and non-climate vulnerabilities the action helps reduce; and evaluated the feasibility of action implementation. Given action effectiveness and feasibility, then evaluated whether or not to continue implementation of the action. For those actions recommended for continued implementation, then identified both how and where to implement. Terminology Action effectiveness: Identify the effectiveness of the action in reducing vulnerability. High: action is very likely to reduce vulnerability and may benefit additional goals or habitats; Moderate: action has moderate potential to reduce vulnerability, with some limits to effectiveness; or Low: action is unlikely to reduce vulnerability. Action feasibility: Identify feasibility of implementing the action. High: there are no obvious barriers and it has a high likelihood of being implemented; Moderate: it may be possible to implement the action, although there may be challenges or Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 2

3 barriers; or Low: there are obvious and/or significant barriers to implementation that may be difficult to overcome. How to implement: Identify how to apply this action given vulnerabilities. For example, consider planting native species that can cope with a range of future conditions or those best adapted to projected future conditions. Where to implement: Identify the management, ecological, or site conditions where the action could be most appropriately implemented. For example, is it best to implement in areas with high soil moisture holding capacity, areas projected to lose the most water supply, post-fire areas, highly roaded areas, etc.? Table 1 below explores current management goals and actions, potential vulnerabilities, and ways to revise current actions to reduce vulnerabilities for oak woodland habitats. The table is structured to provide: 1. A current management goal; 2. Potential climate and non-climate vulnerabilities that affect the success of achieving the management goal; 3. Multiple current management actions; 4. An evaluation of action effectiveness, feasibility, and potential vulnerabilities that the may be reduced by action implementation; and 5. A description of where and how to implement the action given climate vulnerabilities and whether or not implementation of the action may have indirect effects on other resources, either positive or negative. Revised Management Actions The following list describes trends and commonalities amongst the climate-informed current management actions discussed by in Table 1. Participants consistently identified reducing non-climate stressors (e.g., removing nonnative plants and pests) as an adaptation strategy and action that could enhance resilience and decrease mortality of established and healthy oak woodland stands. Participants also indicated that reducing non-native species may increase the likelihood of oak seedling propagation success. A majority of actions identified by fall under the category of enhancing resistance (i.e., reducing non-climate stressors). However, also identified strategies that help increase knowledge (e.g., identify and map chaparral fuels) and engage coordination (e.g., communicating with local landowners). Participants identified future and current oak woodland refugia areas (e.g., cool, moist microsites) as key areas for adaptation strategy implementation, and also suggested prioritizing healthy stands with mature trees for management action. Many of the revised management actions developed for oak woodlands have the potential to affect other habitats and species. For example, ideal oak seedling propagation sites and refugia areas are likely to overlap with riparian vegetation zones. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 3

4 In addition, minimizing fire risk to oak habitat may involve altering adjacent chaparral areas. Alternatively, some management actions may enhance wildlife habitat and/or enhance the resilience of other species and adjacent systems (e.g., by creating mesic microsites). Several actions identified by emphasize the need for adaptive management, as well as the continual pursuit and integration of new knowledge that can shape management effectiveness. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 4

5 Table 1. management goals, potential vulnerabilities, and current management actions for oak woodland habitats. For each current management action evaluated its effectiveness (likely to reduce climate vulnerability) and feasibility (likelihood of implementation), and identified climatic and non-climatic stressors the action could help to ameliorate the effects of. Given action effectiveness and feasibility, then evaluated whether or not the action should continue to be implemented. If the action was recommended for continued implementation, detailed any changes regarding where and how to implement given climate vulnerabilities. Lastly, evaluated whether there were potential conflicts with or benefits to other resources from action implementation. Management Goal: Maintain oak woodland stands Potential vulnerabilities: Reduced soil moisture for seedlings to access, affecting survival Increased fire kills seedlings and trees Drought that kills seedlings and trees (need ~3 years of average to above average rainfall for seedling establishment) Greater stress overall Management Action Practice seedling propagation Effectiveness Should be effective during wet periods and in appropriate microsites/ climates even under climate change. Increased uncertainty of propagation success as climate variability increases. Feasibility Action is still feasible under climate change, as it is relatively simple to implement Does Action Ameliorate Effects of Any Vulnerabilities? No but does create mesic microsites that could benefit other species threatened by increased drought stress Continue to Implement Action Given Climate Vulnerabilities? Yes Where/How to Implement Given Climate Vulnerabilities Where: Select moist/cool microsites such as northfacing canyons and areas with high water tables (will need to study groundwater table) How: Increase non-native plant species control to increase soil moisture available to planted seedlings. Build in flexibility in planting year and timing with shorterterm watering. Other Resource Considerations Other resources action benefits: Increases mesic microsite creation/maintenance, benefitting other species that are susceptible to warming Other resources with potential conflicts: Riparian oaks will likely thrive in areas where riparian species occur in the absence of flooding Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 5

6 Protect native trees and stands by reducing pathogens (especially nonnative pests), reducing weeds, and reducing chaparral adjacent to high value stands There will be more temporal variability in periods with conditions necessary to get oaks established Wait until conditions are appropriate to outplant Yes competition for limited water supply, risk of fire Management Goal: Reduce oak mortality Potential vulnerabilities: Firewood movement Drought causes pests to spread Increased invasive plants within oak stands due to soil disturbances Management Action Manage invasive pests Effectiveness Some pests too new, and specific actions are few to-date Feasibility Unknown for some pests, as control strategies are still being developed for new pests Does Action Ameliorate Effects of Any Vulnerabilities? Potentially if pest spread is reduced Yes for weed control Continue to Implement Action Given Climate Vulnerabilities? Yes Where: Focus activities where oaks are likely to thrive under warmer conditions How: Implement weed control and other methods to protect mature trees less susceptible to climate change Where/How to Implement Given Climate Vulnerabilities Where: Anywhere there are oaks showing drought stress How: Continue research into pests and ways to control Other resources action benefits: Increased food and habitat resources for wildlife (acorns, cavity-nesting birds), recreation for people Other resources with potential conflicts: No answer given by Other Resource Considerations Other resources action benefits: Habitat for wildlife, preservation of traditional gathering areas Other resources with potential conflicts: Treatments could affect other non-target insects Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 6

7 Remove infested/infected trees around healthy trees to prevent spread Reduce firewood movement Moderate seems to be slowing pests down Low Moderate pests still moving so only somewhat effective Moderate in isolated pockets and new infestations it seems to be feasible Low difficult to get public educated Yes reduces pests in and around healthy trees/stands Management Goal: Remove/Manage invasive species Potential vulnerabilities: Species shifts Reduced funding Management Action Practice physical removal Effectiveness Feasibility Does Action Ameliorate Effects of Any Vulnerabilities? Moderate Moderate Soil compaction leads to decreased water retention and increased fire threat Yes Where: Around healthy oak pockets/stands How: Continue to treat infested/infected stands near healthy stands Yes Yes Where: Throughout California Continue to Implement Action Given Climate Vulnerabilities? No How: Ramp up existing efforts Where/How to Implement Given Climate Vulnerabilities Where: Not applicable How: Not applicable Other resources action benefits: Prevents wildfires moving through stands; preserves wildlife habitat Other resources with potential conflicts: Erosion increases from soil disturbances unless wood is chipped and spread; increased invasive plants from disturbances Other resources action benefits: Protects other habitats besides oak woodlands Other resources with potential conflicts: May promote more wood collection around camp sites, with potential impacts on wildlife relying on dead and downed wood Other Resource Considerations Other resources action benefits: Not applicable Other resources with potential conflicts: Not applicable Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 7

8 Implement prescribed burns High Low Yes increased wildfire Not sure Where: No answer given by How: No answer given by Management Goal: Implement prescribed fire in adjacent chaparral habitats to reduce fuels and fire spread into oak woodlands Potential vulnerabilities: Difficulty implementing prescribed fire due to air quality issues and burn windows, and available fire equipment/resources Increased temperature, decreased precipitation, and high fire risk Decreased precipitation, leading to drought, leading to change in vegetation structure (i.e., more open/less oak canopy) Less canopy, leading to less foraging niches, leading to decreased bird diversity Management Action Identify and map chaparral fuels using field data and GIS Effectiveness Moderate Low Feasibility High Does Action Ameliorate Effects of Any Vulnerabilities? No just identifies possible management actions, but provides maps for monitoring fuels. No direct impact on stressors. Continue to Implement Action Given Climate Vulnerabilities? Yes Where/How to Implement Given Climate Vulnerabilities Where: Implement in pilot/test location and monitor changes in vegetation structure How: Obtain Global Climate Models and compare with local, site-specific maps. Map endangered and threatened species locations, and use fire to remove invasive herbs and grasses. Other resources action benefits: No answer given by Other resources with potential conflicts: No answer given by Other Resource Considerations Other resources action benefits: Possibly threatened and endangered species, depending on location Other resources with potential conflicts: Prescribed fire may reduce high quality old chaparral with high biodiversity; decreases ground cover Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 8

9 Include chaparral fuels maps in forest/district climate change strategic plans Low Moderate High Does not directly or indirectly affect climate or nonclimate drivers or stressors; reduces fuel, decreasing fire risk Yes Where: Implement in locations with field data/empirical data on fuels and oak vegetation structure How: No answer given by Other resources action benefits: No answer given by Other resources with potential conflicts: Decreased fuels overall, but may increase soil erosion into riparian areas; increased native herb and grass diversity Communicate with private landowners regarding burn plans and Fire Safe Councils Moderate Moderate Low Does not directly affect stressors Yes Where: Consider applying in a remote area (e.g., with old chaparral as identified with GIS) How: No answer given by Other resources action benefits: No answer given by Other resources with potential conflicts: No answer given by Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 9

10 Future Management Goals and Adaptation Actions Workshop identified the following possible future management goals and adaptation actions for oak woodland habitats: Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Plan for possible future habitat fragmentation/increased patchiness of oak woodlands resulting from die-off after drought or wildfire. Adaptation action: Obtain satellite imagery to map historical range of oak woodlands and chaparral and map age of chaparral based on time since burn. Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Enhance certainty of current oak associations. Adaptation action: Correlate species occurrence with static/dynamic conditions (soil vs. weather). Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Determine priority areas by understanding biological response to environmental change. Adaptation action: Monitor wildlife long-term to identify response to habitat change. Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Change land development/urbanization/land use planning to preserve habitat/refugia. Adaptation action: Develop more habitat conservation plans that are used across all levels of planning for development and conservation within a particular area. Update current plans to incorporate climate change. Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Develop resistant oak strains that are tolerant to drought and perhaps increased pest resistance (similar to white pine blister rust program). Adaptation action: Conduct genetic studies on oak variability and environmental tolerances. Conduct genetic surveys of oaks and collect data on environmental conditions. Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Improve understanding of future distribution of individual species to assist with management action and restoration planning and implementation. Adaptation action: Utilize species distribution models under current climate regime and future climate conditions to identify suitable areas in the future (i.e., major core areas and microrefugia). Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Limit the impacts of urbanization on grasslands and oak woodlands. Adaptation action: Facilitate and build capacity in communities to protect/enhance/restore grasslands and oak woodlands. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 10

11 Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Enhance wildlife to increase oak resilience and adaptive capacity. 2 Adaptation action: Promote scrub jays as oak establishers; encourage mesopredators that remove oak predators (e.g., stop coyote poisoning via public education), but maintain a balance (e.g., still need ground squirrels for grassland processes); and increase functional urban ecology efforts to allow for greater connectivity. Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Increase ecosystem services awareness and inclusion in decision-making. 2 Adaptation action: Develop habitat-specific or -relative metrics; create demonstration areas, but design to allow for habitat movement. After identifying possible future management goals and actions for oak woodland habitats, were asked to evaluate action effectiveness and feasibility; identify the timeframe for action implementation; describe where and how to implement the action; and identify collaboration and capacity needs. Timeframe, collaboration and capacity needs are defined below. Implementation timeframe: Identify when the action could feasibly be implemented. o Near: <5 years; Mid: 5-15 years; or Long: >15 years. Collaboration: Identify any other agencies, organizations, or people both internal and external needed to collaborate with in order to implement this tactic. Capacity needed: Identify capacity needed for implementation such as data, staff time and resources, funding, or policy changes, among others. Table 2 below explores the future management goals/adaptation strategies, actions, and implementation recommendations developed by workshop for oak woodland habitats. The table is structured to provide: 1. A future management goal/adaptation strategy; 2. Adaptation actions for each goal/strategy; 3. An evaluation of action effectiveness, feasibility, and implementation timeframe; and 4. A description of where and how to implement and collaboration and capacity needed to move forward with implementation. This workshop activity was intended to generate a range of recommended adaptation actions that could be implemented both now and in the future. The resulting actions are not comprehensive, and users of this report are encouraged to explore additional adaptation actions that may help reduce vulnerabilities, increase resilience, or capitalize on opportunities presented by climate change for oak woodland habitats. 2 This strategy and associated actions were identified by but not discussed or evaluated in detail; therefore, they are not listed in Table 2. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 11

12 Future Management Actions The following list describes trends and commonalities amongst the future management actions discussed by in Table 2. A majority of future actions developed by are focused on increasing knowledge to better inform management efforts. Information of interest ranges from a better understanding of current oak associations to predictive modeling to better understand potential future oak habitat refugia. Public engagement and better collaboration across all levels of government were also important themes. Future adaptation strategies and actions developed by covered almost all adaptation categories, including: increasing knowledge, promoting resilience, enhancing resistance, and engaging coordination. Many of the identified actions appear to be precursory steps that can eventually inform actions designed to facilitate transition/response to climate change impacts. Rural and urban areas may serve as important target sites for improving oak woodland habitats in the face of climate change; consistently noted collaboration with local governments and the public, as well as utilization of public/municipal areas (e.g., remnant oak stands on urban fringes, urban gardens, urban ecological areas), as critical components of identified adaptation actions. One question highlighted by was whether treating mistletoe in oak woodlands may become more important with drought in order to prevent oak mortality. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 12

13 Table 2. Potential future management goals, adaptation actions, and action implementation details including where and how to implement and collaboration and capacity needs for oak woodland habitats. Action effectiveness (likelihood of reducing vulnerability), feasibility (likelihood of implementation), and timeframe (near: <5 years; mid: 5-15 years; long: >15 years) were also evaluated for each adaptation action. Management Goal: Plan for possible future fragmentation/increased patchiness of oak woodlands resulting from die-off after drought or wildfire Adaptation action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Obtain satellite imagery to map historical range of oak woodlands and High High Near Mid Near: creating and implementing Where: Areas with existing data on oak vegetation structure and species; areas with multiple species issues to address and several climate change External collaboration: Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, homeowners, Bureau of Land Management, nongovernmental organizations chaparral and map GIS data issues; sites with pristine conditions Internal collaboration: Forest districts, age of chaparral repository and disturbed conditions to compare other scientists, spatial modelers, federal based on time Mid: gathering and evaluate climate change stressors climate scientists since burn needed capacity Sites Liebre-Sawmill Place, San Capacity needed: Database specialist, for full Jacinto Mountains, San Gabriel funding to purchase satellite images, implementation Mountains, and Peninsular Range continuous data analysis and models How: Create and implement GIS and data repository; monitor existing patches for die-off; inventory individuals and vegetation structure; monitor hydrologic regime and collect/document condition Management Goal: Enhance certainty of current oak associations Adaptation Action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Correlate species with static/dynamic High Low High funding- Mid Where: High risk areas first, then consider Pristine Class 1 areas, External collaboration: Volunteer groups, GIS students/universities, data providers conditions (soil vs. dependent national parks, and critical threatened Internal collaboration: Land weather) and endangered habitat areas managers/stakeholders How: Identify concentration areas; collect data after established methodology; create GIS data to represent large-scale dataset; decide the contribution each variable lends to Capacity needed: Money, reliable/accurate data Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 13

14 (un)certainty and determinations; utilize geostatistics to create probability models Management Goal: Determine priority areas by understanding biological response to environmental change Adaptation action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Monitor wildlife long-term to No answer given by No answer given by No answer given by Where: No answer given by External collaboration: No answer given by identify response to How: GPS, map habitat and wildlife Internal collaboration: No answer given by habitat change Management Goal: Change land development/urbanization/land use planning to preserve habitat/refugia Capacity needed: No answer given by Adaptation Action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Develop more habitat conservation plans that are used across all levels of planning for High Moderate Moderate depends on funding and political acceptance Mid Long Where: Rural areas and edges of urban development where there are oak stands still left in conjunction with undeveloped (or less developed) managed lands (e.g., public lands, External collaboration: Cities, counties, land management agencies, conservation organizations, universities (assist with understanding what size and how close preserved areas need to be) development and conservation lands, etc.). Internal collaboration: Local forest conservation within planners, biologists, botanists, hydrologists, a particular area. and leadership Update current plans to incorporate climate change. How: Educate city/county leaders on the need for coordinated planning and need to preserve species/habitats; implement surveys/data collection on current vegetation distribution; improve understanding of breeding systems of each species (may be important in figuring out distances between conservation areas), or look at genetic variability within a species of oak to be able to better understand and preserve diversity in conservation areas Capacity needed: Funding to develop new conservation plans or update existing ones to look at climate change; collect data on species distribution and numbers within the planning area and breeding ranges (to keep connectivity) Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 14

15 Management Goal: Develop resistant oak strains that are more tolerant of drought and perhaps increased pest resistance (similar to white pine blister rust program) Adaptation action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Conduct genetic Unknown Low due Long oaks are Where: Throughout the range of the External collaboration: Universities studies on oak to length of slow growing various species of oaks Internal collaboration: USFS nurseries, variability and time it How: Collect genetic samples of oaks USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station environmental would take across the range of a species; survey Capacity needed: Genetic data on oaks, tolerances. Conduct to sort it out stressed stands for trees that seem long-term funding genetic surveys of more tolerant of environmental oaks and collect conditions and measure data on environmental variables in those environmental locations; analyze environmental conditions. variables and correlate with genetic make-up; collect and propagate seed from trees that appear to be more resistant to drought; plant in common garden (although may not work for such a long-lived species) or grow in a place to measure root growth, response to drought (deeper roots, faster growing roots, more stomatal closure, thicker leaves, etc.), or other physiological variables of tolerance to stress Management Goal: Improve understanding of future distribution of individual species to assist with management action and restoration planning and implementation Adaptation Action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 15

16 Utilize species distribution models under current climate regime and future climate conditions to identify suitable areas in the future (major core areas and microrefugia) Moderate High Near Where: Use modeling information to identify sites. Follow up modeling with field studies or observational studies to test model results best for longlived species like oaks, as can map recruitment that represents future distribution of mature individuals and mature tree mortality (this step is critical before implementing action based on models). How: Utilize models and field observations; implement field experiments (potentially plant seedlings/seeds and see how they perform in areas modeled to be different in the future; also plant in areas models predict to be suitable in future or not suitable in the future) Management Goal: Limit the impacts of urbanization on grasslands and oak woodlands External collaboration: Modelers, land managers (observations), researchers if experimental evidence is necessary or wanted to better understand why differences observed Internal collaboration: No answer given by Capacity needed: Species distribution information, modelers, field sites and staff, data analysis, information distributed to appropriate people Adaptation action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Facilitate and build capacity in High High Long Where: Target outreach to local governments, communities and External collaboration: Land managers, developers, business, agriculture, public communities to schools to enhance understanding of Internal collaboration: No answer provided protect/enhance/ importance of grasslands and oak by restore grasslands woodlands in their community and oak woodlands How: Engage local managers by identifying common goals in the system; work with others to change policy on land use priorities with local communities to limit expansion, especially into grasslands/oak woodlands; mutually identify priority areas within ecosystem; identify where certain governance approaches Capacity needed: Ecosystem service research to improve dialogue amongst community stakeholders. Evaluate internal practices and budgets to do more outreach/engagement of public regarding grasslands/oak woodlands conservation. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 16

17 could build public-private partnerships in ecosystems; identify ecosystem values of grasslands/oak woodlands in areas where these systems are mostly intact; identify watershed boundary that can act as a pilot and then take steps described above Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 17

18 Additional Adaptation Actions for Consideration Table 3 summarizes all of the adaptation actions generated by workshop for oak woodland habitats and includes additional actions for consideration; additional actions comprise those from the literature as well as those identified by land and resource managers during other workshops. These strategies and actions are grouped according to one of five categories: 1. Enhance Resistance. Implementation of these strategies can help to prevent the effects of climate change from reaching or affecting a resource. One common type of resistance actions are those designed to reduce non-climate stressors. 2. Promote Resilience. These strategies can help a resource weather the impacts of climate change by avoiding the effects of or recovering from changes. 3. Facilitate Transition (or Response). Transition or response strategies intentionally accommodate change and enable resources to adaptively respond to changing and new conditions. 4. Increase Knowledge. These strategies are aimed at gathering more information about climate changes, impacts, and/or the effectiveness of management actions in addressing the challenges of climate change. 5. Engage Coordination. Coordination strategies may help align budgets and priorities for program of work across lands or establish or expand collaborative monitoring efforts or projects, among others. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 18

19 Table 3. Summary of adaptation goals and actions for oak woodland habitats, grouped by category (enhance resistance, promote resilience, facilitate transition, increase knowledge, and engage coordination). Adaptation goals and actions include those generated by workshop for oak woodland habitats, as well as additional actions identified from the literature and by land and resource managers during other workshops. OAK WOODLAND HABITATS Category Adaptation Goal Adaptation Action Enhance resistance Maintain oak woodland stands Reduce oak mortality Remove/manage invasive species Prevent invasive plant establishment after disturbance Implement prescribed fire in adjacent chaparral habitats to reduce fuels and fire spread into oak woodlands Practice oak seedling propagation Protect native trees and stands by reducing pathogens and pests, reducing weeds, and reducing chaparral adjacent to high-value stands (can use physical removal or prescribed burns) Manage invasive pests (e.g., gold-spotted oak borer) Remove infested/infected trees around healthy trees to prevent insect/disease spread Reduce firewood movement Consider using prescribed burning to manage invasive species Include invasive species prevention strategies in all projects Inventory regularly to detect new populations and species Implement early detection/rapid response for exotic species treatment Maintain permits for aggressive treatment of invasive species (e.g., burning and herbicide) Identify and map chaparral fuels surrounding oak woodlands using field data and GIS Include chaparral fuels maps in forest/district climate change strategic plans to help managers weigh the risks and benefits of fuel management for each habitat type Communicate with private landowners regarding burn plans and Fire Safe Councils Restore structure, function and composition of oak woodlands to limit high severity fires and moisture stress, both of which are predicted to increase in the future Plant native bunch grasses within oak woodlands to reduce spread of invasive species Plant and adequately protect acorns and seedlings from browsing Fence priority oak areas or individual plants to exclude browsers (to minimize synergistic effects of grazing and climate-driven changes on recruitment and survival) Use prescribed fire to remove non-native grasses from the understory, reducing competition for declining water resources between seedlings and invasive species Create fuel breaks to limit hazard of undesirable fires Take advantage of natural fire occurrence by controlling fire path and severity, helping limit future wildfire risk Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 19

20 Enhance resistance (con t) Promote resilience Facilitate transition Restore structure, function and composition of oak woodlands to limit high severity fires and moisture stress (con t) Change land development/urbanization/land use planning to preserve habitat/refugia Plan for possible future fragmentation/increased patchiness of oak woodlands resulting from die-off after drought or wildfire Increase resilience of oak stands to disturbance Mitigate consequences of large disturbances by planning ahead Identify and protect refugia Facilitate change to desired assemblages Use other ground cover management options (mowing, spraying) to reduce non-native grasses that may increase fire risk and/or more effectively compete for soil moisture under changing climate conditions Develop more habitat conservation plans that are used across all levels of planning for development and conservation within a particular area Update current plans to incorporate climate change Obtain satellite imagery to map historical range of oak woodlands and chaparral and map age of chaparral based on time since burn Consider climate change in post-fire or post-drought rehabilitation (e.g., emphasize use of plant species that will be robust to climate change) Anticipate increased need for seed sources and propagated plants Determine where native seed may be needed for post-disturbance planting Develop rapid response/assessment for post-disturbance restoration Create buffer zones between stands and residential development Influence development zoning in high fire risk areas Enhance education and communication about responsible land owner actions in the Wildland-Urban Interface Develop a gene conservation plan for ex situ collections for long-term storage Identify areas important for in situ gene conservation Maintain a tree seed inventory with high-quality seed for a range of species, particularly species that may do well in the future under hotter and drier conditions Increase production of native plant materials for post-disturbance plantings Establish extra protection for priority refugia areas using management designations, management action plans, and by excluding humans and browsers Designate conservation easements Monitor and evaluate the stands that successfully regenerate, and promote these stands to serve as future potential refugia Identify areas where relict plants could be established Plant seedlings expected to thrive in new climate conditions Monitor for management action effectiveness and communicate effective techniques to partners and stakeholders Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 20

21 Facilitate transition (con t) Increase knowledge Engage coordination Facilitate change to desired assemblages (con t) Develop resistant oak strains that are more tolerant of drought and perhaps increased pest resistance (similar to white pine blister rust program) Enhance certainty of current oak associations Determine priority areas by understanding biological response to environmental change Improve understanding of future distribution of individual species to assist with management action and restoration planning and implementation Increase knowledge of patterns, characteristics, and rates of change in species distributions Address information gaps in order to maintain viable populations Engage the public in stewardship of oak woodlands to improve understanding about ecosystem value and potential climate impacts Consider planting desired species (assisted migration) rather than relying on natural regeneration and migration Prioritize monitoring and management of desired species where predicted to survive and establish in future Relax seed zone guidelines to include genotypes from warmer locations; use a variety of genotypes rather than just one Conduct genetic studies on oak variability and environmental tolerances Conduct genetic surveys of oaks and collect data on environmental conditions Correlate species with static/dynamic conditions (soil vs. weather) Monitor wildlife long-term to identify response to habitat change Utilize species distribution models under current climate regime and future climate conditions to identify suitable areas in the future (major core areas and microrefugia) Expand long-term monitoring programs; track regeneration and species distribution at the fine-scale Address information gaps identify current locations, potential future habitat, and stand condition Address genetic gaps establish breeding program Increase education on the intrinsic value and ecosystem services of oak woodlands and how they may change in light of climate change impacts Encourage climate-smart restoration activities and volunteer work days to improve understanding about potential climate impacts and enhance the ability of oaks to cope with climate change effects Engage community service organizations to improve understanding about climate impacts to Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 21

22 Engage cooperation (con t) Engage the public in stewardship of oak woodlands (con t) Work across jurisdictions oak woodlands and the services people depend on Enhance oak stewardship on private lands to improve the ability of oaks to cope with changing climate conditions Hold town-halls and invite community leaders to improve understanding about climate impacts to oak woodlands and services people depend upon Create accessible forms of information (webpages, fact sheets, etc.) on the value of oak woodlands now and in the future Facilitate and build capacity in communities to protect/enhance/restore grasslands and oak woodlands Align budgets and priorities for program of work with neighboring lands Communicate about adjacent projects and coordinate on the ground action Coordinate invasive species management, funding and support between agencies Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 22