Determining Spatial Distribution of Toxicodendron Diversilobum
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Determining Spatial Distribution of Toxicodendron diversilobum Colin Pryor1,2 and Michael Techler1 1Department of Geography and Planning, CSU Chico 2Department of Geologic and Environmental Science, CSU Chico Abstract Introduction Methods & Materials spatial analysis. A Near analysis was done Conclusions to determine the distance from each poison oak individual to the nearest disturbance, Western poison oak (Toxicodendron The distribution of western poison oak To explore the relationship between and nearest source of surface water. Slope Riparian vegetation type has a very diversilobum) has one of the widest (Toxicodendron diversilobum) comprises a the distribution of poison oak and three and aspect for each individual was high density of poison oak possibly due to geographic ranges of any native wider range of environmental conditions spatial variables, poison oak individuals determined from a Digital Elevation Model its close association with surface water, and Californian shrub. It is found under a than any other California shrub. The were sampled in three distinct areas of of Butte County. The area of each increased activity of animals which play a greater variety of soil conditions, purpose of this study is to identify a spatial Upper Bidwell Park, Chico, CA. The vegetation type within each transect was role in seed dispersal. The similar densities temperature, and rainfall ranges than any relationship between the location of poison variables being explored were distance to a calculated to get a density of poison oak by of mix oak and valley oak vegetation types other Californian shrub. Poison oak is also oak individuals in relation to: vegetation disturbance (road or trail), distance to a vegetation type. are expected because their habitat cover type, disturbed areas, and surface unique in its ability to grow in extreme surface water source (ephemeral or characteristics are very similar in stand water. In a foothill environment in northern shade, and full-sun. A useful structural perennial stream), and dominant vegetation Statistical analysis was done using density and understory vegetation California, poison oak individuals within adaptation of poison oak is its ability to type. Individuals were classified as IBM SPSS. For all statistical tests, an alpha composition. belt transects were recorded in a GPS. A grow as a climbing vine with presence of a climbing or non-climbing and recorded value of 0.05 was used. It can be concluded that the large portion of the analysis had a spatial support, instead of as a shrub. with a GPS waypoint. morphological adaptation of vining poison component and was done in a Geographic Proximity to disturbed areas and Poison oak individuals were sampled oak is most common near large trees that Information System (GIS). A measure of surface water can strongly influence the Results using a 10 meter wide belt transect located create a high amount of canopy closure. density by vegetation cover type, and composition of vegetation found at any within either a valley oak, blue oak, or mix Poison oak of both growth forms is more distances from each poison oak individual site. Disturbed areas can create edge effects oak dominated vegetation type as identified There is a strong association between common in low-sloping areas in close (N=308) to the nearest disturbance, and that influence the hydrology, insolation, from a vegetation map of Upper Bidwell climbing poison oak, riparian, and mixed proximity to disturbed areas and sources of nearest surface water source was calculated and nutrient cycling at a site. Edge effects Park. Transects were identified using oak vegetation types. From nonparametric surface water, even if the source is in a GIS. The slope and aspect at each offer a unique opportunity for plants to Google Earth, and chosen to capture a tests, the distribution of values for the ephemeral. individual was also analyzed. exploit these conditions if they can adapt to range of gradients (i.e. elevation, distance variables: distance to water, distance to Poison oak of both growth forms is the differences. Different habitats offer to water). disturbance, and slope are significantly more commonly present in close proximity different variables that can be exploited by associated with growth form of poison oak. to a disturbed area and in low-sloping areas species with particular adaptation traits. Waypoints were exported from the Riparian vegetation type has a significantly near surface water sources. Riparian and This study explored the spatial distribution DeLorme PN-40 GPS and brought into higher density of poison oak individuals per mixed oak vegetation types are correlated of climbing and non-climbing poison oak ESRI’s ArcMap. Trails, roads, and streams square kilometer than any other type, while with vining poison oak. individuals in relation to disturbances and not traced in the field were drawn in mix oak and valley oak types have nearly sources of surface water. The influence of Google Earth, and brought into ArcMap for identical densities. dominant vegetation type and slope were also examined. Figures 1, 2, 3: Distribution of poison oak individuals in transects. Survey transects with disturbance and surface Figure 5: Density of poison oak individuals by vegetation cover type water features included on (individuals/sq km). (N=308). top of vegetation cover type basemap. Figure 4: Legend for Figures 1,2, and 3. Figure 6: Flowchart of process to calculate distance from poison oak Fig. 4 individuals to a disturbance. Made in ArcGIS ModelBuilder. Figure 7: Flowchart of process used to get vegetation type area by Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 transect. .