1 ABSTRACT The following revegetation/restoration plan was prepared for the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (AHME). This plan describes measures to establish desired native plants within the footprint of proposed channel reconstructions in the Upper Carson Slough and Crystal Spring Management Units. Additionally, this plan describes measures to remove non-native, invasive species that, if left untreated, could reduce native species establishment and survival throughout the AHME. The treatment of non-native, invasive species includes areas where monocultures of these plants have developed, as well as a few sites that have potential for invasion following restoration actions such as the removal or modification of Crystal and Peterson Reservoirs. This document also includes plans for planting the former Mud Lake Reservoir and abandoned agricultural fields that have been slow to recover. Carson Slough and Crystal Spring Revegetation | Final Report i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... i 2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 3 Prioritization of Revegetation and Weed Treatments in Conjunction with Spring Restoration Efforts .................................................................................................................. 3 3.1 Historical Conditions.............................................................................................5 3.1.1 Disturbance Regimes ...................................................................................14 3.2 Existing Conditions .............................................................................................14 3.3 Desired Future Conditions ..................................................................................15 4 Phases of Wetland Revegetation.................................................................................. 25 4.1 Plant Propagation ................................................................................................25 4.2 Plant Salvage .......................................................................................................31 4.3 Weed Treatment and Revegetation Efforts .........................................................32 4.3.1 Weed Removal .............................................................................................32 4.3.2 Coordination of Weed Removal Efforts ......................................................51 4.3.3 Additional Weed Concerns ..........................................................................52 4.4 Preparation of the Soil Surface............................................................................53 4.5 Planting and Irrigation .........................................................................................54 4.5.1 Planting ........................................................................................................54 4.5.2 Irrigation ......................................................................................................55 4.6 Monitoring and Further Weed Removal Efforts .................................................56 5 Upper Carson Slough ........................................................................................................ 57 5.1 Weed Treatments within Upper Carson Slough ..................................................59 5.2 Fairbanks Spring Channel ...................................................................................61 5.3 Soda Spring Channel ...........................................................................................64 5.4 Rogers Spring Channel........................................................................................67 5.5 Longstreet Spring Channel ..................................................................................70 5.6 Five Springs Channel ..........................................................................................76 6 Crystal Spring Management Unit ................................................................................. 79 6.1 Weed Treatments within the Crystal Spring Management Unit .........................81 6.2 Forest and Kings Spring Channels ......................................................................81 6.3 Bradford Spring Channel ....................................................................................85 6.4 Crystal Spring Channel .......................................................................................88 7 Revegetation following Reservoir Modifications or Removals ......................... 92 7.1 Crystal Reservoir .................................................................................................92 7.2 Mud Lake Dam Reservoir ...................................................................................95 7.3 Peterson Reservoir...............................................................................................97 8 Revegetation of Abandoned Agricultural Fields .................................................... 99 8.1 Soil Assessment and Amendments .....................................................................99 8.2 Planting..............................................................................................................100 8.3 Irrigation ............................................................................................................100 ii Otis Bay Ecological Consultants 8.4 Monitoring of Revegetation Efforts ..................................................................101 8.5 Agricultural Field Selection for Active Revegetation .......................................101 8.6 Point of Rocks ...................................................................................................103 8.7 Longstreet ..........................................................................................................105 9 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 108 10 Literature Cited .................................................................................................... 109 Carson Slough and Crystal Spring Revegetation | Final Report iii 2 INTRODUCTION The following revegetation/restoration plan describes methods to establish desired native plants throughout the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (AHME). AHME is located east of Death Valley National Park and south of Amargosa Valley, NV (Figure 2-1). Habitat restoration activities are ongoing at AHME, and plans for future restoration projects are in development. This revegetation plan is designed to allow managers to prepare for and implement these projects. Revegetation efforts hasten the habitat restoration process and are especially important in arid habitats, where plant succession is slow. Additional benefits of revegetation include reduced soil erosion, improved streambank stability, improved upland and riparian wildlife habitat, and decreased spread of non-native, invasive plants. Active revegetation of wetland areas and weed treatments are the highest priority. These actions will have the greatest positive effect on establishing and maintaining native plants throughout the AHME. In order to formulate this plan, historical environmental conditions, existing vegetation types, and desired future conditions were explored. We focused extensively on weed distributions and removal strategies because weeds are often the biggest hurdle in restoration efforts. This plan provides details for propagation and planting of desired species and suggestions for soil amendments for revegetation of abandoned agricultural fields. A general monitoring protocol is also suggested. This revegetation plan will require refinement in the near future because restoration plans are still in development for most of these areas. Carson Slough and Crystal Spring Revegetation | Final Report 1 Figure 2-1. Location of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (outlined in red). 2 Otis Bay Ecological Consultants 3 PRIORITIZATION OF REVEGETATION AND WEED TREATMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH SPRING RESTORATION EFFORTS This revegetation plan is intended to complement current and future restoration efforts throughout the AHME and specifically within the Upper Carson Slough (UCS) and Crystal Spring Management Units (CMU). Revegetation efforts and weed treatments are proposed for five spring systems within the Upper Carson Slough Management Unit (Fairbanks, Soda, Rogers, Longstreet and Five Springs) and four springs within the Crystal Spring Management Unit (Bradford, Kings, Forest, and Crystal). Planting recommendations are presented for existing and former reservoirs for which removal or modification is being recommended in the UCS and CMU restoration plans; specifically Crystal, Peterson and Mud Lake Dam Reservoirs. Additionally, the plan prioritizes treatment areas for non-native, invasive plants (i.e., weeds). Revegetation efforts and weed treatments are prioritized in light of limited funding and the threat of continued invasion by various weeds. Rapid and cost-effective revegetation may include salvage of plant material prior to channel construction and replanting immediately following channel completion. Apart from construction areas, places dominated by weeds throughout Ash Meadows should be treated and planted. Existing weed patches serve as propagule