Site and Seed Table of Contents

Introduction...... 4 1.0 Native Plant Nursery...... 4 1.1 Nursery Inventory...... 4 1.2 Vegetative Propagation Experiments...... 5 2.0 Rainfall Data Collection...... 6 3.0 Seed Collection...... 8 4.0 Native Plant Surveys...... 8 5.0 Native Species Outplantings ...... 9 5.1 Outplanting Site Installation...... 9 5.2 Acorn Sowing...... 11 6.0 Survivorship and Growth ...... 12 7.0 Outplanting Site Retirements ...... 13 8.0 Recruitment ...... 16 8.1 Active Site Recruitment...... 16 8.2 Retired Site Recruitment...... 16 9.0 Exotic Species Monitoring...... 17 10.0 Fire mapping...... 18 11.0 Fuel Moisture...... 22 12.0 Accomplishments, Conclusions and Recommendations ...... 24 12.1 Recruitment ...... 24 12.2 Propagation...... 24 12.3 Experimental Outplanting Sites...... 24 12.4 Reclamation of the Borrow Pit...... 25 12.5 Endangered Species Research ...... 25 12.6 Dunes Restoration...... 26

Site and Seed List of Tables

Table 1. Current Greenhouse Inventory ...... 5 Table 2. Vegetative Propagation Experiments Results...... 6 Table 3. Survivorship at active plantings...... 13 Table 4. Final Survivorship of 2005 Outplanting Sites ...... 15 Table 5. Recruits Found at 2005 Sites During Retirement ...... 15 Table 6. 2010 Recruitment Data From All Active Sites...... 16 Table 7. Recruits Found at Retired Sites ...... 17 Table 8. Fire severity class definitions ...... 19 Table 9. Fire Severity Data and acreage of 2010 fires...... 21 Table 9 (cont). Fire Severity Data and acreage of 2010 fires...... 22 Site and Seed List of Figures

Figure 1. Rain Gauge Locations...... 7 Figure 2. Average rainfall since 2004...... 7 Figure 3. New Plant Populations...... 8 Figure 4. Native Habitat Enhancement Sites Completed as of 2010 ...... 10 Figure 4. Native Habitat Enhancement Sites Completed as of 2010 (cont.) ...... 11 Figure 5. 2010 Acorn Sowing Sites...... 12 Figure 6. Invasive Species Populations Treated in 2010...... 18 Figure 7. SWAT 1 and SWAT 2 Area Fires...... 19 Figure 8. Wilson Cove Area Fires...... 20 Figure 9. Central Island Fires...... 20 Figure 10. SHOBA Fires ...... 20 Figure 11. Locations of Fuel Moisture Monitoring Sites...... 23 Figure 12. Average Fuel Moisture for All Sites: April 2007 through December 2010...... 24

iii Introduction

This report describes the activities and accomplishments of the San Clemente Island Native Habitat Restoration Program from January 2010 through December 2010. These activities have been conducted for the United States Navy under contract with the Soil Ecology and Restoration Group (SERG) of San Diego State University. The goal of this program is to ensure the long-term viability of native island species through the restoration and stewardship of native plant communities, and in turn help to ensure the long-term success of SCI Naval operations. Tasks identified as critical to the success of this program include native plant seed collection, propagation and out-planting, maintenance of a native plant nursery, and monitoring of sensitive and endangered native plant populations. Additional contractual obligations include the following tasks:

• Maintenance of nursery stock for erosion control, educational purposes, and landscaping of military facilities • Maintenance of an Island seed bank and seed processing facility • Maintenance of an herbarium of native Island specimens • Collection of fire data including fuel moisture monitoring and wildland fire severity assessment and mapping • Noxious weed mapping and treatment of small populations • Restoration of erosion-prone sites

1.0 Native Plant Nursery

1.1 Nursery Inventory Past nursery production has focused on propagating plants for shrike habitat enhancement, sensitive species and sensitive habitat enhancement, and erosion control projects, with additional stock for island residents to use in landscaping and beautification of military facilities. The planting moratorium due to unresolved UXO safety issues resulted in very little movement of stock through the nursery, so propagation was minimal. Replacement of stock lost to attrition and some germination experiments kept the numbers of plants at a stable number all year. Current nursery inventory is approximately 2,300 plants from 49 species (Table 1).

4 Table 1. Current Greenhouse and Nursery Inventory: December 2010

Species Quantity Species Quantity Ambrosia chamissonis 3 Keckiella cordifolia 65 Artemisia californica 121 Lavatera assurgentiflora glabra 254 Artemisia nesiotica 25 Lathyrus vestitus 4 Astragalus miguelensis 17 Lonicera hispidula 7 Astragalus nevinii 8 Lotus argophyllus argenteus 13 Atriplex californica 10 Lotus dendroideus traskiae 24 Calystegia macrostegia 27 Lyonothamnus floribundus 10 Ceanothus megacarpus 93 Lycium californicum 25 Constancea nevinii 53 Malacothamnus clementinus 1 Coreopsis gigantea 22 Malosma laurina 5 Crossosoma californicum 89 Mimulus aurantiacus parviflorus 134 Deinandra clementina 15 Mirabilis californica 10 Dudleya virens virens 60 Munzothamnus blairii 203 Encelia californica 26 Prunus lyonii 37 Eriophyllum confertiflorum 49 Quercus tomentella 29 Eriogonum giganteum 59 Rhamnus pirifolia 22 Eriogonum grande 57 Rhus integrifolia 253 Euphorbia misera 65 Ribes malvaceum 8 Frankenia salina 34 Salvia mellifera 51 Gambelia speciosa 57 Sambucus mexicana 1 Gnaphalium bicolor 96 Scrophularia villosa 46 Hazardia cana 80 Senecio lyonii 8 Heteromeles arbutifolia 205 Spergularia macrotheca 36 Isocoma menziesii 68 Zauschneria californica 24 Isomeris arborea 47 TOTAL STOCK 2537

1.2 Vegetative Propagation Experiments

The majority of container plants installed at restoration sites have been the result of successful seed germination trials, and this has limited the potential species lists to those plants that produce collectable quantities of seed and germinate well under lab conditions. Chaparral and coastal sage scrub species such as Malosma laurina, Sambucus mexicanus, Dudleya virens and Euphorbia misera have only germinated in very small quantities, if at all, so other techniques of propagation must be developed. Species currently under study for vegetative propagation are: Lonicera hispidula, Malosma laurina, Deinandra clementina, Sambucus mexicana, Euphorbia misera, Lyonothamnus floribundus aspleniifolius and Salvia mellifera (Table 2). A total of 110 cuttings from five of the above seven species have rooted successfully thus far. These successful cuttings have increased the diversity of outplanting stock and added several valuable shrub 5 species to the outplanting species lists.

Table 2. Vegetative Propagation Experiments Results

Species Begin Date Hormone # of Cuttings # Rooted Deinandra clementina 17-Jan-10 Dip’n’Grow 9 9 Deinandra clementina 17-Jan-10 Dip’n’Grow 25 8 Deinandra clementina 18-Jan-10 Dip’n’Grow 59 31 Euphorbia misera 10-Oct-10 Dip’n’Grow 26 20 Lonicera hispidula 18-Jan-10 Dip'n'Grow 9 6 Lonicera hispidula 16-Feb-10 Dip'n'Grow 33 0 Lyonothamnus floribundus aspleniifolius 16-Mar-10 Dip'n'Grow 8 0 Malosma laurina 29-Oct-09 Dip'n'Grow 36 2 Malosma laurina 29-Oct-09 TakeRoot 69 9 Malosma laurina 7-Mar-10 Dip'n'Grow 41 0 Salvia mellifera 29-Jan-10 Dip'n'Grow 61 25 Sambucus mexicana 6-Mar-10 Dip'n'Grow 27 0 Sambucus mexicana 16-Feb-10 Dip'n'Grow 26 0

2.0 Rainfall Data Collection

SERG has been collecting rainfall data since 2004. Data is recorded by rain year; for example, the 2004/2005 rain year began on 27 November of 2004 and ended on 28 April of 2005, after which date no rain was recorded until the following fall. Two gauges were set up in November of 2004, one near the Boulder Camera pad and the other near the SERG Greenhouse. Gauges at Stone Station, Virgil Road, and West Cove were installed in November of 2005 (Figure 1). Data is collected from the gauges each morning after a rain event occurs. Rainfall for the 2009/2010 rain year from October 2009 to May 2010 averaged 12.5 inches, slightly above the six-year average of 10.3 inches observed since installation of the gauges in 2004 (Figure 2). See Appendix 1 for daily rainfall amounts at each location.

6 Figure 1. Rain Gauge Locations

Average Rainfall

30.00

25.00 23.90

20.00

15.00

Inches 12.46

10.76 10.00

6.14 6.00

5.00

2.42

0.00 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 Rain Year Figure 2. Average rainfall since 2004.

7 3.0 Seed Collection

Seed collection was very successful this year as a result of the high spring rainfall amounts. Fifty-one species of perennials were collected for a total amount of 13.8 kilograms, and twenty-eight species of annuals added up to 3.4 kilograms. Nassella pulchra was a major focus of seed collecting in anticipation of seeding trials to be implemented in the upcoming grassland restoration project. The most notable seed collection was that of Dissanthelium californicum, the once presumed extinct grass that was rediscovered this spring. These seeds are currently stored in the SERG Seed Bank and at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. See Appendix 2 for details on species collected, amounts and locations.

4.0 Native Plant Surveys

A total of 470 new populations of native plants from 113 species were recorded this year, including 22 of the 28 Island sensitive species (Figure 3, Appendix 3). New populations of particular note include the Dissanthelium californicum in SWAT 1 and several new populations of Sibara filifolia along Sibara Ridge.

Figure 3. New Plant Populations

8 5.0 Native Species Outplantings

5.1 Outplanting Site Installation

No outplanting sites were added this year due to a moratorium on ground disturbance, so the total number of outplanting sites remains at 28 (Figure 4). Sub-surface disturbance has been deemed unsafe pending an assessment of safety measures and field procedures, and this has prevented all planting and artificial perch installation. Existing plantings were weeded more intensively to partially offset the decrease in the level of effort put towards habitat restoration through outplanting. Possible resolutions of the problem include the use of Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians during planting or pre- disturbance surveys that would determine if the area is safe to plant.

9 Figure 4. Native Habitat Enhancement Sites Completed as of 2010

10 Figure 4. Native Habitat Enhancement Sites Completed as of 2010 (cont.)

5.2 Acorn Sowing

A total of 125 acorns were sown this year at eleven sites (Figure 5). Sowing the acorns does not require ground disturbance, so was considered safe under the new UXO restrictions on planting. Upon collection of acorns, a sink test is performed to ensure that only viable acorns are kept. The acorns that sink to the bottom of a jar of water after ten minutes are rinsed with a 1:20 solution of bleach and water to prevent fungal growth, then placed in Ziploc bags with wet paper towels. The bags are refrigerated to force germination and each acorn is sown after radicles appear. Acorns were found to germinate more quickly when damp perlite was introduced into the bags in place of paper towels. Sites for acorn sowing were chosen based on indications of deep soil and favorable aspect. A space of 12 inches square was cleared of vegetation and the acorn was placed in a depression no deeper than the width of the acorn and lightly covered with soil. Weed cloth was installed around the acorn to prevent competition and each seed was provided with a TreePee shelter to protect it from browsing and weather. Finally, each was given approximately one liter of water. Over three kilograms of acorns were collected this year, so acorn sowing will be extensive in the first several months of 2011. The majority of the acorns will be sowed while soil moisture if still high in order to maximize survivorship.

11 Figure 5. 2010 Acorn Sowing Sites.

6.0 Survivorship and Growth Survivorship and growth data were collected quarterly at each 2009 site and biannually or annually at older outplantings, depending on the age of the site. Table 3 presents a summary of survivorship at each planting. Growth data was collected from every fifth plant along each planting line (approximately 20% of all plants). Growth data consists of measurements of height for Quercus tomentella plantings and height and canopy width for all other species. Graphs of average plant heights and widths versus time for all non- retired outplanting sites are presented in Appendix 4.

12 Table 3. Survivorship at active plantings

Number of Number Current Current % Site Lines planted number alive survivorship Arizone 5 409 193 47.19% Boulders (J,K) 2 207 67 32.37% Box Canyon 1 50 43 86.00% Cuscuta Cove (D,E) 2 215 158 73.49% Chamish (G,H,I,J) 4 367 229 62.40% Jack Nots 3 247 116 46.96% Larkspur Canyon 3 305 222 72.79% Lotus 1 50 49 98.00% Lower Boulders 6 628 425 71.97% Malva (Line E) 1 67 20 29.85% Middle Ranch (E,F,G) 3 281 107 38.08% SEATEST 2 8 1060 934 88.11% Stone 4 402 195 48.51% Tota 2 3 250 201 80.4% Twin Dams NA 61 46 75.41% Wall 2 173 113 65.32% Whale Point 5 540 281 52.04% Total 44 4373 2727 62.88%

7.0 Outplanting Site Retirements Recruitment plots are set up on sites that are five years old. All plantings older than five years are visited annually to record recruitment, with no survivorship or growth of original plants recorded. The recruitment plots are intended to track the progress of any offspring produced by the original container plants. See Appendix 5 for full retirement protocol. Nine lines at four sites were retired in 2010, all of which were planted in 2005: Arizone lines A, B and C; Cuscuta Cove A, B and C; Chamish G and H; and Malva E. Average survivorship of these outplanting sites totaled 47% (Table 4). Highest survivorship was at the Chamish planting, which had 61% of the plants still alive after five years. In contrast, the Lavatera line at Malva had only 30% survivorship when it was retired. Arizone, Middle Ranch, and Chamish all had plants that were already recruiting at the time of retirement. More than 350 recruits from seven species were recorded, some of which were flowering and producing a third generation.

Most notable was the appearance of large numbers of Coreopsis gigantea recruits at Chamish. Several of the other retired sites also had C. gigantea recruits this year, possibly as a result of the higher rainfalls and the increasing maturity of the plants. With the addition of the Chamish recruits, the number of vigorously recruiting populations of C. gigantea has gone from one lone natural population to a total of four (Dunes, Chamish and West Cove plus the original natural population). The high survivorship at Chamish 13 this year continues the trend at this site, which has had excellent growth, survivorship, and recruitment since the first lines were planted in 2002. The site was chosen as a study site for monitoring the interactions of outplanted natives with the existing non-native plants, which dominated the site before the restoration effort. Dense stands of Bromus diandrus, B. madritensis, and Avena barbata still sprawl across much of the site, but many of the surviving shrubs have begun to create openings in the non-native grasses. The Lavatera, Isomeris, and Heteromeles, in particular, have wide openings covered with native litter extending out to their drip lines. Many of the recruits observed this year were in these openings, and some were encroaching into the mats of invasive grasses, as well. The sandy soils of the VC3 area appear to be an excellent substrate for the species at the site, so recruitment is anticipated to continue to spread outward from the site as well as increase the density of natives between the original container plants. The installation of the Jieddo Basic Training site near the planting may result in the trampling of some plants and has the potential to ignite fires near the site. Although disturbance at the site may negatively affect some plants, it may also serve as a test of such sites’ ability to absorb impacts and possibly decrease the spread of disturbances such as erosion and fires.

Cuscuta Cove was also planted in an area that was heavily invaded by invasives, primarily Ehrharta calycina and Carpobrotus edulis. The outplanting was intended to bolster the small number of native dunes species present at the site, and provide competition for the invasive grasses and shrubs. E. calycina has been sprayed at the site by AgriChem every year since the planting was installed, but remains in large quantities on the site. Lavatera assurgentiflora glabra seems to decrease the number of E. calycina plants in its immediate vicinity, so heavy recruitment of this shrub may eventually depress the population of weeds at the site. Continued herbicide application at the site will likely be required for several years in the future.

The Arizone planting site was installed just across the road from the San Diego Zoological Society’s Flights Cages. Erosion gullies extending up from the nearby canyon could potentially encroach on the cages, so a total of three lines were planted to both forestall erosion and increase native shrub diversity to create shrike habitat. Although the plants exhibited good initial growth according to the 2005 Annual Report, the low survivorship at retirement is disappointing. If the erosion advances to a stage that is problematic for the Zoo cages, more control measures may be necessary, such as recontouring, installation of jute netting or check dams, and seeding. The Middle Ranch out-planting was also intended to ameliorate erosion gullies forming near Middle Ranch Road. The dismal survivorship of less than 40 percent reflects the condition of the soils and available soil moisture at the site. Gully, sheet, and rill erosion had already degraded the site before planting, and although several plants have begun recruiting, few show vigorous growth or appear to be preventing further erosion. The site has good potential for restoration if more extreme measures similar to Arizone were to be implemented. Recontouring and jute netting in particular may benefit the site and accelerate recruitment.

14 Table 4. Final Survivorship of 2005 Outplanting Sites

Number of Number Number Site Site Lines Planted Dead Survivorship Arizone 3 200 89 55.8% Chamish 2 208 80 61.6% Cuscuta Cove 3 312 175 43.4% Malva 1 67 47 29.9% Middle Ranch 3 281 174 39.2% Total 5 Sites 12 lines Total: 1068 Average: 47% Alive: 503

Table 5. Recruits Found at 2005 Sites During Retirement

Number of Distance from Reproductive Site/Line Species Seedlings Parent (cm) Status Arizone/A Artemisia californica 1 142 No flowers Arizone/B Artemisia californica 1 57 No flowers Arizone/B Artemisia californica 1 65 No flowers Arizone/B Eriogonum giganteum 182 70 No flowers Arizone/B Artemisia nesiotica 1 0 No flowers Arizone/C Encelia californica 2 45 No flowers Arizone/C Artemisia nesiotica 4 43 No flowers Arizone/C Artemisia nesiotica 4 24 No flowers Chamish/G Artemisia nesiotica 10 0 No flowers Chamish/G Eriogonum giganteum 2 57 No flowers Chamish/G Artemisia nesiotica 2 0 No flowers Chamish/G Artemisia nesiotica 4 0 No flowers Chamish/G Artemisia nesiotica 19 0 No flowers Chamish/G Artemisia nesiotica 10 0 No flowers Chamish/H Encelia californica 9 700 Flowering Chamish/H Coreopsis gigantea 1 10 No flowers Chamish/H Encelia californica 8 800 Flowering Chamish/H Artemisia californica 2 0 No flowers Chamish/H Artemisia nesiotica 2 0 No flowers Chamish/H Coreopsis gigantea 31 12 No flowers Chamish/H Coreopsis gigantea 10 0 No flowers Chamish/H Coreopsis gigantea 39 70 No flowers Chamish/H Artemisia nesiotica 1 0 No flowers Chamish/H Coreopsis gigantea 1 0 No flowers Chamish/H Encelia californica 1 20 No flowers Middle Ranch/G Hazardia cana 6 200 No Flowers Middle Ranch/F Isocoma menziesii 1 100 No Flowers Max dist.: Total Lines: 7 Total Species: 7 Total: 353 800cm 15 8.0 Recruitment

8.1 Active Site Recruitment

Native species recruitment was monitored at active sites during watering and measuring. In 2010, recruitment was recorded at five different sites with seven species of recruits recorded. Asteraceae continues to be the most successful family for establishing new seedlings at planting sites (Table 6). Raw recruitment data for all active outplanting sites can be found in Appendix 6.

Table 6. 2010 Recruitment Data From All Active Sites

Number of Distance from Sites showing Species Family recruits parent (cm) recruitment Isocoma menziesii Asteraceae 403 30 Cuscuta Cove Encelia californica Asteraceae 13 130 Cuscuta Cove, Stone Frankenia salina Frankeniaceae 41 131 Chamish Artemisia nesiotica Asteraceae 1 70 Lower Boulders Ambrosia chamissonis Asteraceae 16 13 Stone, Whale Point Constancea nevinii Asteraceae 1 Whale Point Mirabilis californica Nyctaginaceae 1 22 Whale Point 7 species 3 families 476 total Max dist. 131 5 Sites

8.2 Retired Site Recruitment

All sites retired in past years were visited once in 2010 to monitor the recruitment plots. Six of these sites were producing recruits from thirteen species (Table 7). The family Asteraceae continues to dominate recruitment with eight of the 13 genera. Particularly note-worthy are the Coreopsis gigantea recruits found at two sites, Dunes and West Cove. Both sites had over 100 Coreopsis seedlings, which were carefully weeded in hopes of enhancing growth and survivorship. Both of these sites also had Lavatera assurgentiflora glabra seedlings as well. West Cove remains one of the most spectacular planting sites on the Island, with its extensive recruitment and large shrubs. The threatened San Clemente Island sage sparrow has been observed frequently at the site, and the birds appear to strongly favor the native vegetation at the site to the surrounding non-native dominated airport area. Raw recruitment data for all retired outplanting sites can be found in Appendix 7.

16 Table 7. Recruits Found at Retired Sites

Family Species Number Sites Asteraceae Ambrosia chamissonis 2 Chad’s Bluff Asteraceae Artemisia californica 3 Flasher West Cove Fabaceae Astragalus miguelensis 1 Chad’s Bluff Fabaceae Astragalus nevinii 4 West Cove Asteraceae Constancea nevinii 2 Chad’s Bluff, West Cove Asteraceae Coreopsis gigantea 235 Dunes, West Cove Asteraceae Deinandra clementina 19 Tota, Vista Overlook Asteraceae Encelia californica 280 Chad’s Bluff, Dune, West Cove Polygonaceae Eriogonum giganteum 278 Chad’s Bluff, Tota, West Cove Asteraceae Hazardia cana 151 Flasher, Tota, Vista Overlook Capperaceae Isomeris arborea 52 Chad’s Bluff, Flasher, West Cove Asteraceae Isocoma menziesii 27 Chad’s Bluff, West Cove Malvaceae Lavatera assurgentiflora 15 Dunes, West Cove Five Families Thirteen Species 1069 Total Six Sites

9.0 Exotic Species Monitoring

Staff treated over 60,000 individual plants from seven different species this year (Figure 6). Brassica tournefortii was found in fifteen areas: Crash House, SWAT 1 Quarry, Airfield Fire Danger Sign, Hillsite Road South and North, Cottages, BEQ’s, NRO, Magazine, Chalk Curve, China Point Road, GUDS Saddle, GUDS Peak, and GUDS AFP. Several small populations that were discovered last year were not relocated this year at Eagle Curve and Arizone Road. The Hillsite Road populations are most likely the result of tainted gravel that was staged on one of the BEQ’s populations before distribution to several roads projects in 2010. The other roads that were graveled with the tainted material will be given priority for new population surveys over the coming years. Other priority species treated include almost 1000 Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) and 250 Tragopogon porrifolius. The major Fennel populations near Mail Point, NOTS Pier, Flasher Canyon and around Wilson Cove have been treated repeatedly over many years and will likely still have some newly germinated seedlings each year in the near future. However, the number of fully adult plants found this year was very low, so the majority of treatments were on plants that had come out of the seed bank. Aggressive treatment of Fennel on the Island will continue in the future with emphasis on surveying historic locations, since several of the treated plants were at historic locations that had not had plants for several years. See Appendix 8 for details on weed control efforts.

17 Figure 6. Invasive Species Populations Treated in 2010

10.0 Fire mapping

When fires are reported to the NRO staff or burnt areas are encountered in the field, the area of the fire is tracked by SERG personnel with a Garmin Vista GPS unit and mapped into the GIS program ArcMap. The fire scar is investigated for severity as well as intensity and effect on native and exotic plants. Definitions of each fire severity class are presented in Table 8. Appendix 9 presents species lists for each fire.

18 Table 8. Fire severity class definitions, adapted from National Park Service (1992)

SEVERITY EFFECTS ON EFFECTS ON EFFECTS ON SHRUBS EFFECTS ON TREES CLASS LITTER/DUFF HERBS/GRASSES 1 Completely Burned to ash, few Burned to ash or killed Burned to ash Burned to ash Burned resprouts by fire 2 Heavily Burned to ash, few Killed by fire or Burned to ash Burned to ash Burned resprouts severely stressed 3 Moderately Burned to singed, some Crown damage only to Burned to ash Burned to ash Burned resprouts smaller trees Blackened, but not No effect on mature 4 Lightly Burned to ash, some Singed/stressed, many evenly converted to trees, may kill Burned resprouting resprout/recover ash seedlings/saplings 5 Scorched Blackened Not affected, slight stress No effect on trees 6 Unburned Unburned inclusions within a fire should be marked as 6

In 2010, a total of 37 fires were mapped and an estimated 1,531.5 acres burned. The majority of the fires were very small spot fires in SWAT 1 and 2, but these areas also experienced larger fires than had been typical in recent years (Figures 7-10, Table 9). Paraflare remnants were found near many of the SWAT fires, but ignition sources (and ignition dates) are not available for the majority of these fires. Several possible paraflare- ignited fires started well outside of the SWAT 1 and 2 area this year: two on Hillsite Road, one near the softball field and one near the Chamish Dam. None of these was larger than 2.5 acres, but their distance from training areas is worth noting. Of the 11 fires started in SHOBA this year, none were mapped with the usual amount of precision due to access or time constraints, so acreage and severities have been estimated. SCORE personnel supplied GPS tracks for the first five fires, but their mapping technique may differ from SERG’s protocol.

Figure 7. SWAT 1 and SWAT 2 Area Fires.

19 Figure 8. Wilson Cove Area Fires Figure 9. Central Island Fires

Figure 10. SHOBA Fires

20 Table 9. Fire Severity Data and acreage of 2010 fires.

Fire Date mapped Date of Fire GPS Code/Fire Name Acreage Source of Fire/Notes severity SWAT 1/SWAT 2 and Surrounding Areas 19-Jul-10 July 2010 FLYO10124 3 0.06 Training 19-Jul-10 July 2010 FLYO10125 3 0.04 Training 19-Jul-10 July 2010 FLYO10126 3-6 0.18 Training 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 FLYO10GRAD1 4 0.29 Training 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 FLYO10GRAD2 4 0.86 Training 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 FLYO10174 4 0.04 Training 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 FLYO10175 4 0.02 Training 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 FLYO10176 4 0.03 Training 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 FLYO10177 4 0.03 Training 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 FLYO10SWAT23 4 0.04 Training 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 FLYO10SWAT24 4 0.11 Training 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 FLYOSWA1 4 0.03 Training 26-Oct-10 Oct. 2010 FLYO10247 5 0.2 Training 26-Oct-10 Oct. 2010 FLYO10274 5 0.01 Training 26-Oct-10 Oct. 2010 FLYO10275 5 0.01 Training 26-Oct-10 Oct. 2010 FLYO10248 4 0.25 Training 26-Oct-10 Oct. 2010 FLYO10276 5 0.01 Training 26-Oct-10 Oct. 2010 FLYO10249 4 0.13 Training Mapped remotely, acreage, 31-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 40mm Closure Area ~4 ~9.56 severity &location apprx. Mapped remotely, acreage, 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 MarOps ~4 ~4.92 severity &location apprx. Mapped remotely, acreage, 25-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 BUDS Beach ~4 ~5.04 severity &location apprx. SWAT1/2 Totals: 21 fires, 21.86 acres

Wilson Cove and Surrounding Areas 1-Sep-10 Aug. 2010 Hillsite Rd. North 4 0.09 Training 1-Sep-10 Aug. 2010 Hillsite Rd. South 4 0.5 Training 10-Aug-10 Aug. 2010 Ballfield 4 2.23 Training Wilson Cove Totals: 3 fires, 2.82 acres

Central Island Fires 3-Oct-10 Oct.2010 HIMARS 3-4 3.58 HIMARS Training 27-Nov-10 Nov. 2010 Chamish Dam 5 .26 Training Central Totals: 2 fires, 3.84 acres

21 Table 9 (cont). Fire Severity Data and acreage of 2010 fires.

Fire Date mapped Date of Fire GPS Code/Fire Name Acreage Source of Fire/Notes severity SHOBA Fires Training. (mapped by 13-May-10 Apr-May 2010 China Canyon 4-6 15.54 SCORE) Training. (mapped by 13-May-10 Apr-May 2010 China Point (outside IA) 4-6 38.6 SCORE) Training. (mapped by 13-May-10 Apr-May 2010 China Point (inside IA) 4-6 64.8 SCORE) Training. (mapped by 13-May-10 Apr-May 2010 China Beach 4-6 3.82 SCORE) Training. (mapped by 13-May-10 Apr-May 2010 China Point Road 4-6 0.83 SCORE) Training. (Mappedw/ photos, 25-Jun-10 June 2010 TAR 22 3-6 ~180 area&location apprx.) Training. (Mappedw/ photos, 25-Jun-10 June 2010 Chalk Curve 3-6 ~63 area&location apprx.) Training. (Mappedw/ photos, 25-Jun-10 June 2010 Horse Beach 3-6 ~195 area&location apprx.) Adversary (inside Impact Training. (Mappedw/ photos, 25-Jun-10 June 2010 3-6 ~239 Area) area&location apprx.) Adversary (outside Impact Training. (Mappedw/ photos, 25-Jun-10 June 2010 3-6 ~363 Area) area&location apprx.) Training. (Mappedw/ photos, 18-Jul10 July 2010 OP3 Road 3-6 ~307 area&location apprx.) Training. (Mappedw/ photos, 18-Jul10 July 2010 Snake Cactus Canyon 3-6 ~32 area&location apprx.) 26-Nov-10 Nov. 2010 REWS Rd 3-4 0.41 EOD Blow in Place SHOBA Totals: 11 fires, approximately 1,503 acres

11.0 Fuel Moisture

Live fuel moisture is monitored at four sites across the island in order to provide Island managers with vegetation information to determine the start and end of fire season. As stated in the SCI Fire Management Plan, fire season begins when the live fuel moisture of Artemisia californica drops below 200 percent of the dry weight of the sample. The original Forest Service protocol was adapted to include three common Island species: Artemisia californica, Baccharis pilularis, and Lycium californicum. Each sampling plot contains large populations of Artemisia, Baccharis, or Lycium within a 2,500 square meter area. Currently, data from the Artemisia sites are used as part of the fire season determination along with other data collected by FedFire. As Baccharis and Lycium are dominant species across much of the island, SERG is collecting fuel moisture for these species as well in order to construct a useful model of their fuel moisture behavior. Artemisia sites are located at Eagle Canyon in SHOBA and Horse Canyon on the West side, one Lycium site is located at Flasher Canyon on the West side, and one Baccharis site is located near Tota Canyon on the East side (Figure 11). Data from each live fuel 22 moisture site were collected once a month according to the methods outlined in the SCI Fuel Moisture Level Monitoring Protocol. Ideally, the Baccharis (Tota) and Lycium (Flasher) sites are monitored year round, while the Artemisia sites are not monitored over the summer months once fire season had begun. This year, access to the Horse Canyon site was restricted for much of the year after unexploded ordnance was found near the plot, so data was not collected for four months beginning in July (Figure 12). Data was collected in November and December with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician’s escort provided by SCORE. The road to the site is not expected to be reopened soon, so escort will be required for the foreseeable future. The initial sampling in May indicated that the live fuel moisture was very close to the 200% threshold, so FedFire requested a second mid-month sampling. Horse and Eagle were re-sampled, and fire season was declared as a result of the findings in early June.

Figure 11. Locations of Fuel Moisture Monitoring Sites.

23 Fuel Moisture Trend

450.0

400.0

350.0

300.0

250.0

200.0

150.0

Percent Live Fuel Moisture 100.0

50.0

0.0

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Horse Eagle Flasher Tota

Figure 12. Average Fuel Moisture for All Sites: April 2007 through December 2010

12.0 Accomplishments, Conclusions and Recommendations

12.1 Recruitment The accomplishments of the SCI Native Habitat Restoration Program in 2010 are numerous, with the highlights including the continued increase of individual seedling recruitments from outplanting sites as well as the increasing number of sites and species showing recruitment. This success demonstrates the benefit of continued outplanting to enhance and create habitat for native island species and to restore sensitive habitat. Although recruitment has been recorded at many sites, more emphasis on fostering conditions for recruitment may result in more species recruiting. More extensive maintenance of retired sites including weed removal should be considered.

12.2 Propagation Propagation methods continue to be successfully refined resulting in a more diverse nursery stock, which consequently increases outplanting diversity. It is recommended that the program continue to focus on propagating sensitive species, particularly those found in limited distribution on the island, and work towards increasing populations and distributions.

12.3 Experimental Outplanting Sites. Continuing to innovate and design creative solutions to the problems of water delivery, 24 invasive species management, and maximization of recruitment potential are vital to the continued success of outplanting. The initial success of the experimental irrigation techniques tested two years ago argues for their continued use in suitable future plantings. Although the DriWater used at Twin Dams had limited success in terms of the growth of the plants, it should not be ruled out as an option for remote site restoration. More drought tolerant plants that do not need the immediate growth desired in shrike habitat restoration should be considered as candidates for DriWater. Hand watering should also be considered as an option for sites that are remote or have topographical challenges. The intensity of the labor involved with hand watering precludes its use with large numbers of plants, but it may be useful in sensitive species plantings with low numbers.

Methods such as tarping or mulching should be investigated to help plants retain moisture during and after irrigation phases. These methods may also decrease competition from weeds. Protection from rodents and chukkars would also greatly increase survivorship. Particularly at Lavatera assurgentiflora sites, control of rodents may be crucial to successful out-planting. Trapping or poisoning using Quintox should be investigated at Lavatera sites. Maintenance of existing outplantings usually includes weeding in the immediate vicinity of the container plants, but more extensive weeding with herbicide or weed whackers may encourage recruitment at older sites and depress competition at newer sites. This will further benefit plantings designed as shrike habitat enhancements as one of the bird’s requirements is openings in the vegetation used in foraging.

12.4 Reclamation of the Borrow Pit Now that the Attack Vehicle Maneuvering Route (Tank Trail) construction project has ended, the rehabilitation of the mid-island borrow pit located east of VC-3 and the Mid- Island Quarry may be feasible. Both areas were used extensively in the construction of the Tank Trail and are currently highly disturbed. Protocol called for the SeaBees to retain piles of topsoil to back fill across the site once it is retired and no longer in use. The retained piles contain a large amount of sand, which could support a strong and healthy outplanting site of dunes species. However, it can be expected that exotic invasive plants will readily colonize the disturbed site. It is recommended that the site be rehabilitated with container plants and native plant seed immediately after the site is no longer in use. The nearby Chamish outplanting site (approximately 0.5 miles away) has proven to be very successful, both in growth and recruitment, and a planting established at the nearby borrow pit may be equally successful. The proximity of the Jieddo BTS site would need to be considered when designing an outplanting site, as the activity at the site may lead to trampling or burning of the nearby areas. Any plantings installed in the area could contribute to a natural fire break and erosion control barrier to the disturbance anticipated at the site.

12.5 Endangered Species Research In the event of damage to a population of one of the six federally and two State endangered plants on SCI, the restoration program would currently be ill prepared to restore damaged plants. Although the Lotus dendroideus traskiae planting implemented

25 in 2009 is currently thriving, no contingency plans exist for propagation or outplanting of any of the other seven species. Germination and vegetative propagation experiments and experimental outplanting of any resulting propagules could prepare for adverse impacts such as fires or off-roading in endangered species habitat. It is recommended that germination experiments continue for endangered plants and that the possibility of an endangered plant display garden be considered for research and educational purposes.

12.6 Dunes Restoration The small area of active sand dunes on the north west side of the Island supports a unique suite of endemic and common plants, and it is home to a large number of threatened foxes and is an important wintering area for the threatened sage sparrow. Although recruitment of native species is vigorous, invasive species cover increasing areas of the dunes, particularly Carpobrotus edulis and C. chinensis. Removal of these invasives in other areas of the sand dunes has resulted in extensive natural resurgence of native sub- shrubs and can be implemented relatively easily through hand-pulling. It is recommended that a concerted effort to clear a portion of the dunes be made each year, beginning with the southern end and working northward. The northern edge of the dunes is threatened by encroaching Ehrharta calycina, so working from the south up will hopefully encourage native competition to flow in after removal of invasives. It is recommended that volunteer labor be investigated for this endeavor, as this has been a very successful method of removing Carpobrotus in other coastal areas. Volunteers could also be utilized in large- scale seed collection and dispersal efforts that could increase the density and speed of spread of the existing native plants. The lack of deep ground disturbance associated with hand pulling would make this an ideal project if UXO restrictions continue to constrain the program.

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