Southern California Riparian Habitats

Transcription

1 Southern California Riparian Habitats Climate Change Adaptation Synthesis Introduction The following section presents climate change adaptation planning results for riparian 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 riparian 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 three key current management goals for riparian habitats: (1) Preserve native riparian habitat, (2) Improve watershed condition using the Watershed Condition Framework (WCF), and 1 Workshop included: Edward Belden, National Forest Foundation; Jesse Bennett, USFWS; Lauma Jurkevics, CDWR; Kristie Klose, USFS; Arlee Montalvo, Riverside-Corona RCD; Christopher Taylor, CH2M; and Robert Taylor, USFS Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 1

2 (3) Prevent tree succession by maintaining disturbance in meadows surrounded by/within conifer forest. As part of the workshop activities, identified potential climate and non-climate vulnerabilities to current management goals and actions for riparian habitats. Potential vulnerabilities identified included: Increased drought could lead to: o Increase fire frequency and severity o Cows focusing more on native green perennials when grass dries, reducing the need for grazing in meadows Increased precipitation (i.e., drought-based assumption may not be valid) could lead to: o Increased runoff, erosion, sedimentation, loss of soil, and change in soil integrity o Increased pests and disease o Decreased habitat suitability for some species Increased human population may increase associated pressures on riparian habitats Decreased snowpack may lead to longer periods of public access Increased use of riparian areas (including backcountry) may lead to habitat impacts such as: o Increased erosion, sedimentation, dust, and noise due to increased use of dirt roads in recreation areas o Increased pollution, sedimentation, and general habitat degradation due to increased water recreation (including illegal recreation) o Increased fire starts due to increased recreation Poorly-researched and implemented energy projects Lack of leadership to advocate for watersheds against political pressure Reduced funding/staffing for data collection and resource management 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 riparian 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. The key theme identified in this workshop activity was the impact of recreation activities and other public use on riparian habitats, and workshop identified actions focused on addressing these issues in a variety of ways, including: o Establishing protected wilderness areas o Limiting public access and road use o Increasing public education o Reducing springwater withdrawals, o Improving road crossings, and o Enhancing meadow habitats. Workshop also highlighted the ways in which climate drivers might influence recreational use, noting that increasing temperatures could increase water recreation and decreasing snowpack could increase the length of time in which riparian habitats are publicly accessible. The majority of management actions identified by workshop focused on enhancing resistance to climate change by reducing non-climate stressors such as human impacts; these include closing roads to limit access to riparian habitats, Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 3

4 implementing protective trail infrastructure, and upgrading road crossings to reduce sedimentation and restore stream flow. Several actions focused on promoting resilience as well (e.g., establishing wilderness status, using low-density grazing to prevent forest succession in meadows, increasing habitat connectivity to allow species migration and improve population genetic diversity). Workshop noted that several of these actions are likely to benefit multiple plant and wildlife species, including many that are threatened or endangered. Several noted potential conflicts with recreational users and with other members of the public who may have competing political interests. Workshop recommended that these actions be implemented in all wild areas, but that areas that are not heavily used and/or are particularly sensitive should be prioritized for action. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 4

5 Table 1. management goals, potential vulnerabilities, and current management actions for riparian 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: Preserve native riparian habitat Potential vulnerabilities: Increased use of riparian areas (including backcountry) leading to habitat impacts Increased erosion, sedimentation, dust, and noise due to increased use of dirt roads in recreation areas Poorly-researched and implemented energy projects Management Action Establish recommended wilderness areas Close rogue roads; use bioassessment to inform decisions Effectiveness High barricades are an effective measure to stop impacts Feasibility Does Action Ameliorate Effects of Any Vulnerabilities? Yes can help address nonclimate stressors Yes can help address nonclimate stressors Continue to Implement Action Given Climate Vulnerabilities? Yes Yes bioassessment underway between the USFS and San Where/How to Implement Given Climate Vulnerabilities Where: Every recommended wilderness (e.g., Eagle Peak), Inventoried Roadless Areas, and unroaded areas How: Remove TL626 power line; remove SDG&E access roads in wild and scenic areas; put remaining 12 KV under or beside road. Get specific footto-ground/year-round knowledge about use in more remote areas (i.e., avoid overworked areas near trails). Practice good communication between USFS and wilderness advocates. Where: Use bioassessment data to inform where to barricade. How: Keep monitoring Other Resource Considerations Other resources action benefits: Other resources with potential conflicts: provided by Other resources action benefits: Other resources with potential Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 5

6 Redesign and implement trail system infrastructure to minimize impacts from multiple user trails and increased popularity Diego River Park Yes barricades and provide solid framework for leveraged volunteer input. Where: Leave most wild areas alone How: Establish public education and outreach to raise awareness about impacts. conflicts: provided by Other resources action benefits: Other resources with potential conflicts: provided by Management Goal: Improve watershed condition using Watershed Condition Framework (WCF).! The framework has 12 indicators, some of which are reasonable to try including: improving water quality (303 delisted), implementing Best Management Practices (BMP) (e.g., reduce sedimentation, manage illegal recreation), restoring channel shape and function (e.g., reduce extraction, fix meadows, disconnect road system), reducing road density in riparian buffers, and increasing road maintenance. Potential vulnerabilities: Increased human population may increase associated pressures on riparian habitats Decreased snowpack may lead to longer periods of public access Increased pollution, sedimentation, and general habitat degradation due to increased water recreation (including illegal recreation) Lack of leadership to advocate for watersheds against political pressure Reduced funding/staffing for data collection and resource management Management Action Effectiveness Feasibility Does Action Ameliorate Effects of Any Vulnerabilities? Continue to Implement Action Given Climate Vulnerabilities? Where/How to Implement Given Climate Vulnerabilities Other Resource Considerations Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 6

7 Enhance meadow habitats Upgrade road crossings Reduce extraction from springs Moderate partnerships and outside funding may create more education and understanding High road crossing improvement supports habitat and reduces deferred maintenance costs Low more political pressure to extract water to detriment of the habitat Moderate High outside funding and mitigation rules may help support fixes now and in the future High Moderate Yes soil moisture and recharge, stream function, flood control, grazing Yes restores natural stream flow, reduces sedimentation, improves aquatic organism passage Yes soil moisture and recharge, localized habitat and water for animals, dams and water diversions Yes Yes Yes Where: Away from recreational development; in areas where the benefits of supporting riparian vegetation health will help with watershed condition scoring How: Create more partnerships with recreational users; incorporate boardwalks and learning features; utilize public education and University of Redlands partnership Where: Areas where there are threatened or endangered species; areas with the potential to significantly reduce sedimentation and/or improve watershed condition How: Consider sizing infrastructure (e.g., culverts) differently if 100-year flood event changes Where: Prioritize drier areas first to get ahead of current drought; target springs with most water relative to total available and/or springs which have permits that are expired How: Reduce special use permits and illegal take; prioritize which springs to focus on (how many others Other resources action benefits: Threatened and endangered plants Other resources with potential conflicts: provided by Capacity needed: Additional time/money/staff Other resources action benefits: Recreation, fire suppression, habitat fragmentation Other resources with potential conflicts: Short-term localized effects on vegetation during implementation Capacity needed: Additional funding, partnerships (e.g., with students and universities for inventory and design) Other resources action benefits: Plants and animals, Land Management Plan objectives Other resources with potential conflicts: Recreation, grazing, water supply for people Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 7

8 are nearby, forest uses that should be protected); map springs; engage in monitoring to see how spring levels are changing Management Goal: Prevent tree succession by maintaining disturbance in meadows surrounded by/within conifer forest Potential vulnerabilities: Increased drought could lead to: o Increase fire frequency and severity o Cows focusing more on native green perennials when grass dries, reducing the need for grazing in meadows Increased precipitation (i.e., drought-based assumption may not be valid) could lead to: o Increased runoff, erosion, sedimentation, loss of soil, and change in soil integrity o Increased pests and disease o Decreased habitat suitability for some species Increased fire starts due to increased recreation Management Action 2 Implement lowdensity grazing to prevent woody/tree encroachment and reduce non-native herbs Effectiveness Feasibility Does Action Ameliorate Effects of Any Vulnerabilities? Continue to Implement Action Given Climate Vulnerabilities? No Where/How to Implement Given Climate Vulnerabilities Where: provided by How: Utilize adaptive management modify as needed based on conditions (reduce/eliminate, but maybe maintain or increase) Other Resource Considerations Other resources action benefits: N/A Other resources with potential conflicts: N/A 2 Additional current management actions for this goal were: 1) Implement mechanical removal of woody vegetation (masticators to chew up woody vegetation and mechanical thinning), and 2) Utilize prescribed burning (remove woody and herbaceous perennial bunch grasses). These two actions were not evaluated, so are not listed in this table. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 8

9 Future Management Goals and Adaptation Actions Workshop identified the following possible future management goals and adaptation actions for riparian habitats: Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Establish local seed banks and reintroduce species deemed tolerant to 50-year climate projections. Adaptation action: Map prioritized riparian areas; include climate trends and 50-year projections, surrounding native vegetation, and historical species ranges. Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Rank vulnerability of groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Adaptation action: Establish more partnerships with universities/researchers. Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Provide increased flows for groundwater recharge. Adaptation action: Remove invasive, water-consuming plants. Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Preserve native species in the face of climate change. Adaptation action: Maintain seed banks to provide capacity for replanting species in various terrains and geographies. Management Goal/Adaptation Strategy: Improve condition of riparian areas. Adaptation action: Remove invasive species that may increase during drought events (e.g., grass, bullfrogs). After identifying possible future management goals and actions for riparian 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 riparian 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 Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 9

10 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 riparian habitats. Future Management Actions The following list describes trends and commonalities amongst the future management actions discussed by in Table 2. Workshop identified a range of actions that address multiple climate and nonclimate stressors, including increased invasive species, reduced groundwater resources, and shifting ranges of plant species. Recommended actions fall into several categories: o Removing invasive plants and preserving existing seed banks focus on enhancing resistance to climate change, o Mapping prioritized riparian areas focuses on increasing knowledge of the habitat and how it is responding to climate change, with the goal of facilitating transitions in native vegetation, and o Establishing partnerships with universities and researchers in order to increase our understanding of groundwater vulnerability focuses on engaging coordination with others. All of the potential actions identified by workshop involved some level of assessment, monitoring, or research. Workshop prioritized areas where threatened or endangered species live (especially where their ranges overlap), and areas that offer critical ecosystem services (e.g. water quality, sedimentation reduction). Many workshop noted that collaborations are needed with numerous external entities, including federal and state agencies, NGOs, universities, and corporations. Additional funding, staffing, and access to data and special collections are also necessary for implementation of some of these actions. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 10

11 Table 2. Potential future management goals, adaptation actions, and action implementation details including where and how to implement and collaboration and capacity needs for riparian 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: Establish local seed banks and reintroduce species deemed tolerant to 50-year climate projections Adaptation action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Map prioritized riparian areas; include climate trends and 50-year High funding is becoming part of Near Where: Areas where special-status species overlap (Critical Areas of overlap); areas which offer critical ecosystem services (e.g., water quality, External collaboration: All relevant land management agencies, Bureau of Land Management (depends on location traversed by project) projections, regular sedimentation reduction) Internal collaboration: Hydrologists, surrounding native project geologists (for soil assessments), biologists, vegetation, and budget ecologists, historical range/vegetation cover historical species specialists ranges Low Moderate (depends on project footprint) most effective if focused effort put into critical zones within a given watershed Management Goal: Rank vulnerability of groundwater-dependent ecosystems How: Conduct field surveys since habitat may already be degraded, look at historical vegetation cover types, and establish seed bank of plant species expected to tolerate climate conditions from 50-year projections Capacity needed: Funds which are just starting to be built into utility planned construction (labeled Green Projects ) Adaptation Action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Establish more partnerships with universities/ researchers Moderate High to Moderate requires staffing Mid (continual) Where: Target vulnerability ranking in threatened and endangered critical habitats first External collaboration: National Forest Foundation, University of California, California State University How: Target universities within driving distance and with appropriate programs (environmental science, earth science); look for a watershed focus if hydrology or groundwater not available Internal collaboration: USDA grant students, staff and line officers Capacity needed: Staffing to handle current workload so time is freed up for collaboration; policy changes to reduce targets and allow work to match expectations Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 11

12 Management Goal: Provide increased flows for groundwater recharge Adaptation action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Remove invasive, water-consuming plants High Moderate Near Where: Riparian zones of watersheds in southern California External collaboration: Water agencies, corporations, federal agencies, wildlife agencies Management Goal: Preserve native species in the face of climate change How: Survey and treat areas; revegetate disturbed areas Internal collaboration: given by Capacity needed: Data, environmental reviews, funding Adaptation Action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Maintain seed banks to provide capacity Low Moderate Long Where: Collect seeds from various elevation bands within forest External collaboration: Non-profit partners, Forest Service and other agencies for replanting How: Collect and store seeds from Internal collaboration: given by species in various various locations; perform regrowth terrains and experiments to ensure techniques will Capacity needed: Funding, access to special geographies be successful; replant as needed collections Management Goal: Improve condition of riparian areas Adaptation action Effectiveness Feasibility Timeframe Implementation (where/how) Collaboration & Capacity Remove invasive species that may given by given by given by Where: Select riparian areas with no existing data and riparian areas with External collaboration: given by increase during existing data for species inventory Internal collaboration: given by drought events (e.g., grass, bullfrogs) How: Map riparian areas of stream orders with images and GIS; remove invasive species likely to increase during drought events Capacity needed: given by Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 12

13 Additional Adaptation Actions for Consideration Table 3 summarizes possible adaptation strategies and actions for riparian habitats. 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. 13

14 Table 3. Summary of adaptation goals and actions for riparian 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 riparian habitats, as well as additional actions identified from the literature and by land and resource managers during other workshops. RIPARIAN HABITATS Category Adaptation Goal Adaptation Action Enhance resistance Reset tree succession by managing disturbance in meadows Preserve native riparian habitat and maintain habitat connectivity Reduce the impact of public use and infrastructure Manage grazing to reduce impacts on riparian vegetation and soil structure Use low-density grazing to prevent woody plant encroachment and reduce non-native herbaceous species Establish protective land designations (e.g., wilderness, wild and scenic rivers), focusing on intact riparian habitat Use vegetation to increase shading of riparian habitat and maintain cool, wet areas 2 Manage vegetation (e.g., mechanical treatments) to reduce fire severity and subsequent erosion and sedimentation Redesign trail system infrastructure to minimize impacts from trails in popular areas Barricade roads and motorized vehicle paths as needed to protect riparian systems Upgrade road crossings (e.g., install higher-capacity culverts) in areas that are prone to sedimentation and/or provide habitat for sensitive species 3 Assess the location of roads and consider removing those within sensitive riparian systems 3 Focus grazing on non-native species in spring and prevent grazing on native species in summer 4 Build livestock exclosures to protect riparian habitats that are easily damaged by grazing 4 3 Halofsky, J. E., Peterson, D. L., O Halloran, K. A., & Hawkins Hoffman, C. (Eds.). (2011). Adapting to climate change at Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park (No. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-844). Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 4 Actions were sourced from the Climate Adaptation Project for the Sierra Nevada and/or the Northern Rockies Adaptation Partnership. Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 14

15 Promote resilience Facilitate transition Reduce water extraction from springs Reduce impact of invasive species Identify and restore key ecosystem functions Increase floodplain resilience to high peak flows and erosion Increase habitat heterogeneity to support species diversity Establish local seed banks for future restoration projects Support species survival under changing climate conditions Implement moderate grazing around vernal pools to maintain vernal pool hydrology 5 Decrease the number of permits offered for water extraction Do not renew expired permits for water extraction Remove invasive plants (e.g., arundo, tamarisk) to reduce competition with native species for water Manage invasive species that may increase during drought events (e.g., grasses, bullfrogs) Restore floodplain function by establishing setbacks, stabilizing banks and headcuts, and employing plug-and-pond techniques to support current and future hydrology 4 Use prescribed fire and/or stop suppressing fire to allow a return to historical fire regimes Remove or modify infrastructure to allow channel migration within the floodplain 4 Enhance breeding sites by providing microhabitat structure (e.g., woody debris) for nesting and egg deposition 4 Collect seeds from plants that have high value to wildlife and will be viable in the future Collect seeds from various locations and elevation bands, prioritizing species that are expected to tolerate future climate conditions Perform re-growth experiments to ensure that proper habitat restoration techniques are being used Focus amphibian conservation activities in areas identified as climate refugia and/or areas that may be suitable habitat in the future 4 Explore the potential for assisted translocation of obligate riparian species to suitable future habitat 6 5 Pyke, C. R., and J. Marty. (2005). Cattle grazing mediates climate change impacts on ephemeral wetlands. Conservation Biology 19: Millar, C. I., Stephenson, N. L., & Stephens, S. L. (2007). Climate change and forests of the future: managing in the face of uncertainty. Ecological Applications, 17(8), Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 15

16 Increase knowledge Engage coordination Improve understanding of the spatial and temporal connection between surface flows and groundwater in order to increase water residence time Prioritize springs for protection and monitoring Prioritize the protection of riparian habitat and monitor the effects of changing climate conditions Improve watershed health and functioning Reduce illegal take from springs Manage land to create networks of riparian habitat to create corridors for wildlife movement 7 Map water sources and aquifers to understand spatial and temporal connections between surface flows and groundwater 2 Map known springs and land cover type in to prioritize protection Monitor the water level in springs to detect changes over time Rank the vulnerability of groundwater-dependent systems Map riparian habitat, climate trends and 50-year climate projections, surrounding native vegetation, and historical species ranges Develop partnerships with university programs that focus on hydrology, groundwater, and/or watersheds Develop partnerships with recreation users to educate and enhance public understanding of watershed health Incorporate boardwalks and educational features to offer the public information about watershed health Work with enforcement agencies to identify and eliminate instances of illegal take from springs 7 Lawler, J. J. et al. (2010. Resource management in a changing and uncertain climate. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 8: Lawler, J. J., Tear, T. H., Pyke, C., Shaw, R. M., Gonzalez, P., Kareiva, P., Pearsall, S. (2010). Resource management in a changing and uncertain climate. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 8(1), Climate change adaptation synthesis for the Southern California Climate Adaptation Project. 16