National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center Coastal Science Review

Tomales Bay Biodiversity Inventory Update

The 3rd year of the Biodiversity Inventory (TBBI) has brought with it many exciting and notable results. A new species to science, a beta-version water quality database for the Tomales Bay Watershed Council, native oyster restoration experiments, algae and invertebrate inventories, and the most complete freshwater invertebrate inventory of Lagunitas Creek in 25 years! Add on to this the numerous scientists working on green crab removal, invasive tunicate monitoring, and eelgrass health, and the TBBI is helping to provide the research needed to understand and protect Tomales Bay into the future.

Tomales Bay Species Diversity

In the Fall of 2003, the Tomales Bay

Biodiversity Inventory had documented 1,623 Diversity of species in Tomales Bay, California by Phyla group species in the Tomales Bay area. A year later that number had grown to 2,006 species Someday our observations will peak and the late spring! This dieback was likely due documented and the prediction from two annual fluctuations in species totals based on to the above average sea temperatures this years earlier that "it is expected as further effort should dampen. Unfortunately, around year, as well as additional rain that may investigation and discovery of microscopic or the world, both extinctions and invasive have reduced the salinity of Tomales Bay. otherwise obscure organisms takes place, the species introductions continue to play an While this temporary dieback is a welcome percentages of less well represented phyla alarming role in reshaping entire ecosystems. reprieve, our consultations with experts will grow and the 'slice of the pie' for larger Thus, many new species found in the bay are have carried the warning: "It will be back!" groups will shrink" has come true. Diatoms likely to be recent invaders. exemplify this perfectly. A year ago, diatom Nebalia kensleyi observations had made up only a portion of Didemnum lahillei the percentage of "Other Phyla." Within that Since our last issue of Coastal Science time an effort to sample and identify diatoms Students from the Tomales Environmental Review, the new species of crustacean resulted in 189 species added to the catalog of Learning Center at Tomales High School found in the eelgrass beds of Tomales Bay observations, claiming eight percent of the monitored Didemnum (an invasive tunicate has been given an official scientific name species now confirmed to live in the bay. Also that overgrows native biodiversity) regrowth and been described in the Proceedings of in that time, species unknown to science have from removal plots at Nick's Cove during the the Biological Society of Washington. The been described such as Nebalia kensleyi, a Spring of 2005. To their surprise after thick lead author, Todd Haney, has named the shrimp like crustacean called a leptostracan. and rapid growth during January-March, species Nebalia kensleyi, in memory of a almost all of the tunicate disappeared during recently deceased friend.

The official newsletter of the Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center • Fall 2005 Issue 3 Coastal Biophysical Inventory Nears Completion Pacific Coast Science and

In 2002, National Seashore GIS Biologist Dave Schirokauer and University of Learning Center Works with California-Davis graduate student Rhea Presiado began an ambitious effort to rapidly Tomales High School Mapping inventory the geomorphology, algae and invertebrates of the entire outer coasts of Point Project Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate The Pacific Coast Science and Learning and photographed the perimeter of the National Recreation Area. This information will be critical for assessing any damage caused Center (PCSLC) collaborated with the watershed twice and established features in by oil spills or other catastrophic events that Tomales Environmental Learning Center the landscape not revealed in the original threaten the California coastline. By 2005 (TELC) at Tomales High School to educate map files. The result was a final map of their about 50% of the coastline was completed and students about using GIS (Geographic local sub-watershed map that included their entered into a spatial database (designed by Information Systems) and GIT (Geographic high school campus. Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center GIS Information Technology) in characterizing Specialist Joe Kinyon) for rapid query in case In addition to using GIS and GPS software of catastrophe. The database received its first their local watershed for future water quality test when a wayward ship, the Christopher M, analysis projects in the community. and hardware, the students learned basics of ran aground at Bolinas Point in May. The GIS project management, fundamental database quickly revealed the range of algae Over a three month period, six students met principles of geography, cartographic skills and invertebrate life that might be affected by weekly with the GIS database manager of the and a visceral appreciation for the the wreck. PCSLC and worked independently during transformation of field collected data into a computer map display. Bill McMillon, The final survey work will occur over the next another weekly session. The students focused two years through a grant from California their studies on the interrelationship between director of TELC, had this to say about their Department of Fish and Game (Office of Spill people, software, hardware, methodologies experience, "The students worked diligently Prevention and Response) and will be and data in a GIS project. Their project goal under the direction of Joe Kinyon, and performed in partnership with marine ecology was to map the watershed of a tributary of learned material that will be helpful to them experts from the University of California- Keyes Creek (a major tributary in the Tomales in the future as they explore other disciplines, Santa Cruz. Bay watershed) which includes the Tomales in addition to gaining a better understanding High School Campus. In order to complete of their local watershed." the task, the students built a foundation of GIS knowledge including ESRI’s ArcView 3.3 The students’ work is documented in an GIS analysis and hydrology modeling tools, online project log at GPS (Global Positioning Systems), and http://tomaleshigh.kinyon-gis.com/ handheld mapping software. They walked index2005.html. .californiacoastline.or g Copyright © 2002-2005 KennethAdelman, & California Gabrielle Coastal Recordswww Project,

The database can quickly deliver habitat types, algae, and invertebrate species found along each color coded transect (Bolinas Point, CA).

Tomales Environmental Learning Center students work with Joe Kinyon to process field data and learn fundamental GIS lessons necessary to build a map of their local watershed.

2 Coastal Science Review Monitoring Northern Spotted Owls in Marin County Since 1998, Point Reyes National Seashore has Science, Marin Municipal Water District, and (Strix varia) which displaces spotted owls, monitored the federally threatened northern Marin County Open Space District). are all biological threats to the continued spotted owl (Strix occidentalis existence of Marin County's spotted owl caurina ) population in Marin County, Although the occupancy of northern spotted population. California as part of a long-term vital signs owls at historic nesting sites in Marin County monitoring program. Marin County has remained constant (at approximately 90% Data collected during the 2005 breeding represents the southern limit of the northern at the 46 long-term monitoring sites since season show that 63% of the northern spotted owl's range which extends from 1998) this southern population of spotted owls spotted owl pairs attempted nesting in Marin British Columbia into Northern California. face a unique set of threats. While the Marin County. Sixty-eight percent successfully The objectives of this program are to County spotted owl population does not face nested, yielding a total of 21 offspring at the determine long-term trends in occupancy and large scale habitat alterations more common 13 successful spotted owl nest sites. The 2004 productivity of spotted owls through in the Pacific Northwest as a result of breeding season generated similar results with monitoring known spotted owl sites on commercial logging, the spotted owl habitat of a total of 21 offspring produced at 12 federal, state, county, and water district lands. Marin County is under continual pressure successful nests. The long-term northern Partners in the joint monitoring program from urban development along open space spotted owl monitoring program in Marin include locations where northern spotted boundaries, intense recreational pressures, County continues to provide valuable owls occur throughout Marin County (Point and the spread of diseases such as Sudden information for environmental reviews for Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods Oak Death. In addition, possible genetic resource management, maintenance, and fire National Monument, Golden Gate National isolation, West Nile Virus, and the continued management projects. Recreation Area, PRBO Conservation range expansion of the barred owl

Partnering Education and Science To Save Threatened Species Since 1995, Point Reyes National Seashore coastal dune restoration efforts at Abbotts presence and education efforts are playing a and PRBO Conservation Science have been Lagoon were initiated to expand the range of critical role in sustaining snowy plover implementing a recovery project for the endangered plants and increase nesting habitat breeding populations on Point Reyes beaches. breeding western snowy plover (Charadrius for snowy plovers. Since 2001, nonnative alexandrinus nivosus) population within the European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) Seashore. The snowy plover is a federally and iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis) have been threatened species with diminishing numbers; removed from nearly 50 acres of critical dune it is estimated that only 1,300 western snowy habitat. In 2005, 11 snowy plover chicks were plovers breed along the Pacific Coast. raised in the restoration area, with some chicks traveling up to 2 miles from a more After locating a nest on the beach, field southern nesting location to this new habitat. Beginning in 2007, the Park Service will restore biologists construct a protective exclosure PRBO Conservation Science around the nest to protect it from predation 300 additional acres of critical habitat. and disturbance. The birds' nesting success is monitored and individual histories are Since 2001, the snowy plover recovery documented. A total of 17 nests were exclosed program has included a significant volunteer during the 2005 breeding season (mid-March education effort with funding support from through mid-September), with 12 successful Point Reyes National Seashore Association. nests producing 31 chicks. Approximately 28 These "Snowy Plover Docents" frequent days after hatching, chicks are able to fly and Seashore beaches on weekends and holidays, are considered "fledged." In 2005, 15 chicks providing snowy plover education to nearly

survived to fledge from Point Reyes beaches. 2,000 visitors annually. Far fewer chicks are Kent Essex

being lost on weekends and holidays Snowy Plover docents frequent Point Reyes In conjunction with this recovery program, compared to weekdays, suggesting that docent National Seashore beaches on weekends and holidays.

Coastal Science Review 3 Minigrants Awarded Harbor Seal Monitoring Update The Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center is pleased to announce the 2005 recipients of The Point Reyes National Seashore Harbor previous to 2004. Double Point (1,126 seals) our annual minigrant competition (see below). Seal Monitoring Program conducts surveys at and (1,261 seals) had the We received many more requests than we are 6 sites throughout the seashore. These sites highest number of seals hauled out to molt. able to fund, but we do attempt to accommo- date all applicants with other forms of support, include , Duxbury Reef, Data on pup numbers allows the park to including housing, office space, logistical aid, Drakes Estero, Double Point, Tomales Bay follow trends in the reproductive success of and field assistants. These 14 scientists, along and . The program relies heavily harbor seals. with over 100 other researchers who work in upon a dedicated group of twenty-five volun- Bay Area National parks each year, provide teers who completed 213 surveys from the Volunteers also documented disturbances to critical insight into the functioning and beginning of March through the end of July. harbor seals such as a motor boat, hiker or a preservation of these complex ecosystems. This schedule follows the pupping and flock of birds, that causes a group of seals to molting seasons for harbor seals. Volunteers raise their heads in alarm or flush into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area collect data on the number of adult seals and water. This season 110 disturbances were the number of pups hauled out at a site, as recorded with the average number of Julie Thayer, University of California-Davis and well as record any disturbances, human and disturbances per survey being 0.57. While PRBO Conservation Science, "Calming the nonhuman, that cause the harbor seals to Drakes Estero is currently the largest haul Controversy: Pigeon Guillemot habitat out and pupping site, it also has the highest enhancement, Reproductive ecology studies, react. and public outreach in relation to cultural distur-bance rate (1.03 disturbances / survey). resource preservation on Alcatraz Island" This season harbor seal pup numbers were The second highest disturbance rate was at slightly lower than usual, most likely because Bolinas Lagoon (0.89 disturbances / survey). Brian James Walton, University of California- of warmer waters and less food availability. Although the causes of disturbance varied by Santa Cruz and Predatory Bird Research Group: The maximum pup count this season was site, human disturbances, such as hikers and "Peregrine Falcon Population Survey for Golden 1,103. This is 13% lower than 2004 season's tidepoolers, were the largest source of Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore" maximum pup count of 1,267. Drakes Estero disturbance, followed by non-motor boats, had the highest maximum pup count (332 specifically kayaks, and aircrafts. These types Joshua Hull, University of California-Davis: pups) of any of the sites. The peak molt count of information collected by volunteers helps "West Nile Virus antibody prevalence among for 2005 was 4,309 harbor seals. This peak document changes in the population of this native raptors migrating through the Marin count is 23% lower than 2004's maximum federally protected species. Headlands" molt count of 5,633 but comparable to years Point Reyes National Seashore

Dr. Jeff Corbin, University of California-Berkeley, "Practical restoration tools to increase native All San Francisco Area Parks grass establishment in invaded habitats" Drs. Janet Leonard and John Pearse, University Kabir Peay, University of California-Berkeley: of California-Santa Cruz: "Identifying "Ecology and community structure of evolutionarily significant populations of Banana ectomycorrhizal fungi of Pinus muricata 10 Slugs (Ariolimax spp.) in the San Francisco Bay years after the Vision Fire" Area National Parks" Harbor Seal Monitoring Program volunteers collect data on harbor seals at various sites throughout Kyra Burraston and Dr. Tiffany Knight, the Seashore. Washington University (St. Louis): "Role of Tomales Bay Biodiversity Partnerships Funding interspecific interactions in the population dynamics of co-occurring rare, common and Andrew Chang, University of California-Davis: invasive Cirsium (Thistle)" "Consequences of functional diversity for the David Kimbro, University of California-Davis: assembly and invasion resistance of estuarine "Guiding the restoration of Olympia oysters in Ryan Hechinger, University of California-Santa fouling communities" Point Reyes National Seashore: Measuring limits Barbara: "Parasites as high-quality, inexpensive to population growth and consequences for indicators of the diversity and abundance of Brittany Huntington, San Francisco State estuarine biodiversity" benthic invertebrates, fishes, and birds in University: "Is a macroalgal bloom threatening coastal wetlands" eelgrass survival? Response of eelgrass Heidi Weiskel, University of California-Davis: productivity to increased macroalgal "Disturbance and mud snails in Tomales Bay dominance in Tomales Bay, CA" and San Francisco Bay: Invasion facilitation at the community level?"

4 Coastal Science Review Soundscape Monitoring Project

An intact and unimpaired natural soundscape records digital audio clips once every two to identify what level of unnatural sound may be as vital to an ecosystem as good water minutes and also collects detailed decibel data intrusions would compromise their quality or clean air. The Pacific Coast Science averages every second. The data gathered experience, what sounds they found irritating, and Learning Center, in conjunction with the from this device can be analyzed later and and what sounds they found pleasing. The National Park Service's Bay Area Inventory used to generate graphs or tables which NPS will use these data to craft soundscape and Monitoring Network, has recently begun describe detailed decibel and sound source management plans and as a reference for exploring the condition of the natural information. Another part of the study draws analyzing changes to the condition of the soundscape at Muir Woods National on numerous NPS volunteers to perform soundscapes of Bay Area National Park units. Monument and Point Reyes National attended logging sessions. Volunteers sit in Seashore. The ultimate goal of this pilot study five pre-determined locations for fifteen NPS's Natural Sounds Program is to understand the role that anthropogenic minutes each and log the sounds that they www.nature.nps.gov/naturalsounds noises such as vehicles and aircraft play in park hear (such as bird, mammal, airplane, or soundscapes. In addition, the National Park vehicle) on personal digital assistants. The Acoustic Ecology Institute Service (NPS) hopes to create an inventory of final component of the soundscape project is www.acousticecology.org natural sound and gather reference data a visitor experience survey, conducted at against which future change can be compared. Muir Woods. The survey asks visitors exiting the park to listen to sound clips with varying This project has three components, including a levels of anthropogenic intrusions. After soundscape monitoring system which listening to sounds, the visitors will be asked

A soundscape monitor set up at Muir Woods National Monument. Note the An amplified version of a ten-second sound clip gathered by the microphone and tripod in the foreground. soundscape monitor. Each arrow points to the sound of a woodpecker’s The white boxes in the background contain tap on a tree. the computer (to capture digital sound data) and batteries to power the system.

Spotlight on Continental Divide Research Learning Center Bighorn Sheep Survival Requires Volunteer Help

Bighorn sheep lambs on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park have <24% chance of living to be yearlings. This poor survival rate threatens the long-term health of the herd. Past disease outbreaks reduced the herd to a relatively small size. Has inbreeding resulted in the accumulation of deleterious genes? To test this idea volunteers recruited by the Continental Divide Research Learning Center are collecting sheep pellets this summer. To ensure that the DNA is high quality, and that the collected pellets are from bighorn, the volunteers have to visually catch the sheep “in the act.” Volunteers wait for the sheep to leave the area before collecting the pellets. Results from the study won't be known until fall, but we already know that the information from this effort will help us better understand the park's sheep population. Volunteers collect bighorn sheep pellets to aid research study.

Coastal Science Review 5 National Park Service First Class Mail U.S. Department of the Interior Postage and Fees PAID Point Reyes National Seashore Point Reyes, CA Point Reyes, CA 94956 Permit No. G-83

Marin County Marin County Wildlife & Fisheries Wildlife & Committee Fisheries Committee 1682 Novato Blvd., Suite 150B Novato, CA 94947

Point Reyes National Seashore Association Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

Global Climate Modeling Research at Point Reyes Coastal Science Review is published bi-annually to share research support- National Seashore ing science-based management and It is only fitting that a site that used to bounce radio signals from North America to ships far out on the preservation of our coastal resources. The Pacific Coast Science and Pacific is now hosting a new research facility that bounces lasers and radar off clouds to understand the Learning Center is a part of the San role that low coastal marine stratus clouds play in the earth's heat budget. The research has placed Francisco Bay Area Network of parks dozens of sensors that measure cloud heat budgets and the data is used by global climate modelers to and is located at Point Reyes National predict patterns of global climate change due to greenhouse gases. The portable facility's next stop is in Seashore. West Africa to study clouds in the rain forest. For more information, visit: www.arm.gov.

Contributors Dawn Adams Volunteer and Docent Opportunities Sarah Allen Ben Becker Heather Jensen Joseph Kinyon Coastal Dune Restoration and the Snowy Plover Docent Programs Emma Lynch Melinda Repko Kate Peterlein (415) 464-5134 Melinda Repko [email protected] Dave Schirokauer Melanie Vanderhoof Judy Visty Elephant Seal Docent Program Steve Anastasia Comments? Write to: (415) 464-5147 Christie Anastasia [email protected] Point Reyes National Seashore Point Reyes, CA 94956 Harbor Seal Monitoring Program [email protected] Marie Claire Choudhury (415) 464-5210 [email protected]

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