The North Coast s Well Studied Forests REALLY!? Gregory A. Giusti Forest Advisor, RPF #2709 University of California Cooperative Extension

The North Coast s Well Studied Forests REALLY!? Gregory A. Giusti Forest Advisor, RPF #2709 University of California Cooperative Extension

Northern Bishop pine (Pinus muricata) forests

Common names - Bishop, pricklecone, dwarf marine, Obispo, umbrella, bull, pitch, or Santa Cruz Island pine (Peattie 1950, Little 1980).

Forests types with Bishop Pine Bishop Shore Pine (immediate coast) Bishop- Doug Fir (on old dunes) Bishop-chinquapin (on old dunes) Pygmy cypressbishop pine (old terrace deposits)

Decline of bishop Pine Forest Limited distribution Seedling regeneration limited by lack of fire Most populations are at the end of their short life span (80-100 years) Most population are even aged stands Development Lack of fire results in higher pathogen numbers Increased planting of Monterey Pine

Pest & Disease Impacts COASTAL DWARF MISTLETOE Arceuthobium littorum

Western gall rust Endocronartium harknessii

Phellinus pini Bark beetles Dendroctonus sp

Research in the Redwoods

Coast Redwoods Sequoia sempervirens 20 th century primarily in private ownership Substantial research on fiber production Casper Creek watershed research innovative and provocative (50 years). 1989 1991 The time of awakening

Fritz Wonder Plot 80 years of coast redwood growth data 4.0 400% Decadal DBH Growth in Inches 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 Avg. DBH Growth 1995-2005 Avg. DBH Growth 1923-1995 Percent +(-) of Historic Rate 350% 300% 250% 200% 150% 100% 50% Percent Change from 1923-1995 Rate 0.0 50+ 40-50 30-40 20-30 10-20 0% -0.5-50% Diameter Class in 1995

Tpa, x dbh,x height, volume Source: Fritz Wonder Plot (2005) 400000 Fritz Wonder Plot - 80 Yrs Number of Trees Average DBH (in.) Estimated Average Height (ft.) 300 Estimated Stand Volume (bd. ft.) 350000 250 300000 Volume in Board Feet 250000 200000 150000 200 150 100 Measurements 100000 50000 50 0 1923 1933 1943 1953 1963 1973 1983 1995 2005 0 Decade

Coast Redwoods Sequoia sempervirens 1950s some wildlife work examining bear damage on second growth redwoods (Fowler 1955). 1980s increased interest in bear damage (Giusti 1988). Still a strong focus on production research.

Coast Redwood What changed? Listings! Northern Spotted Owl Marble Murrelet Coho Salmon Chinook Salmon Steelhead

Coast Redwoods Sequoia sempervirens June 1996 1 st Conference on the Coast Redwood Forest Ecology and Management. Arcata. Silviculture (8), Ecology and Management (8), Wildlife (8), Watershed & Restoration (7) + 12 posters. Proceedings 162 pages.

Coast Redwoods Sequoia sempervirens March 2007. 2 nd Redwood Region Forest Science Symposium: What Does the Future Hold? Santa Rosa. Water and Watersheds (9) Genetics and Restoration (4) Wildlife and Fisheries (12) Forest Ecology (6) Silviculture (8) Forest Policy and Modeling (6) Erosion and Physical Processes (14) Posters (33) Proceedings 553 pages.

Coast Redwoods Sequoia sempervirens June 2011. Coast redwood forests in a changing California: A symposium for scientists and managers. Santa Cruz Ecology (15) Silviculture and Restoration (11) Watershed and Physical Processes (22) Wildlife, Fisheries, Aquatic Ecology (10) Forest Health (10) Economics and Policy (6) Monitoring (7) 47 posters Proceedings 693 pages

Coast Redwoods Still so much to learn! Small mammals Soil Invertebrates Arboreal forests Role of decaying wood

Oak Woodlands just a different type of north coast forest Woodlands are a collection of parts working together

Oak Woodlands To date 6 Research Symposia addressing Ecology, Management, and Policy of oak woodlands. First one in 1979. Statewide focus began in 1985 with the creation of the IHRMP (Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program) a joint effort between UC, DFG & CDF.

Oak Woodlands Research focus on: Wildlife Livestock interactions Range management Soil relationships Climate change Social attitudes

Oak Woodlands still undiscovered interactions Turkey Vultures are cavity nesters. Who Knew?!

North Coast Forests We know a few things but we have a lot more to learn! Human demographics and expectations Changes in atmospheric conditions Changes in forest conditions

Questions?