Download III. Filipponi Packard

Filipponi Ecological Area
Master Monitoring Plan
I. Introduction
This document describes a monitoring plan to be carried out for a minimum of five years
following the first year of restoration and enhancement of the Filipponi Ecological Area.
The area has been divided into three sections based on funding: Filipponi County
(Airport Mitigation Site), Filipponi Packard, and EF-1-1R (Avila 1 Settlement Site). This
is a monitoring system of representative samples using transects, using both quadrats and
line-intercept methods, as well as wildlife observations. The monitoring results will
assess the habitat diversification, its increase in function and value, of the project site.
II. Filipponi County (Airport Mitigation Site)
A. Description
The area designated as Filipponi County includes the ponds, swale, and surrounding
floodplain of the Filipponi Ecological Area (refer to Figure 1a). A base reference line
exists parallel to the East Fork of San Luis Obispo Creek. A total of eight permanent
transects were established perpendicular to the base reference line: 4 southeast (126) of
the center base reference point and 4 northwest (306) of the center base reference point.
The center base reference point is permanently marked with a raptor perch; the beginning
and end of each transect is located with a permanent marker. To ensure a representative
sample, it has been subjectively determined that four of the eight transects will go
through the ponds at randomly selected locations. The remaining four have been
randomly selected to cover the areas in-between the ponds.
The length of each transect is determined individually by where it crosses the
northwestern end of the swale. Data will be collected using continuous 1m by 1m
quadrats along each transect. The number of quadrats for each transect will vary
depending on the length of the transect.
Community type (swale, floodplain, pond), percent cover of a species present, and
number and health of planted species falling within the quadrat will be recorded for each
quadrat. After the third monitoring period, the data from these sheets will be compiled
and processed to provide information on the abundance, density, frequency, cover,
dominance; relative density, frequency, and dominance; and the importance value of each
species in the different communities sampled in the area (refer to Appendix).
Table 1 on the next page provides the distance from the center base reference point of the
beginning marker of each transect, as well as the length, bearing of the end markers, and
which pond the transect samples.
Filipponi Ecological Area
Table 1. Marker bearings for Filipponi County transects
Transect
Length
Bearing of
end marker
1se
56 m
55
2se
66 m
50
3se
66 m
58
4se
70 m
46
1nw
23 m
36
2nw
46 m
27
3nw
45 m
27
4nw
45 m
27
Master Monitoring Plan
Pond
#
--2
--1
--3
--4
Distance from
center ref. pt.
35 m
80 m
107 m
125 m
36 m
117 m
161 m
180 m
B. Methodology for Data Collection
Using a metric tape measure (100m), the ‘0’ end is hooked to the beginning marker and
the tape is stretched to the end marker. It may be necessary to hook the tape in several
locations in order to keep it level to the ground and in place. Using a 1m by 1m quadrat
constructed from pvc pipe, the quadrat is placed to the left (west) of the tape. Beginning
with ‘Quadrat 0’, record each species present and estimate its percent cover of the 1m2
enclosed by the quadrat (refer to Figure 2a).
Percent cover is all that is necessary to record for the majority of species present, but the
number of individuals must be recorded for each species that has been planted.
If a species present includes only one small individual, or too few individuals to
determine the approximate percent cover, record the species as having one percent cover.
Although the percent cover for that species is likely to be <1%, it is important to note that
species presence and the low percentage will not significantly affect the end data
calculations. If a species (excluding planted species) consists of a few individuals and
appears to have >1% cover but <5% cover, 1% cover may be assigned to each individual,
thus a species of 3 small individuals would be recorded as having 3% cover for that
quadrat.
Bare ground (BG) includes unidentifiable dead grasses (DG) that have been mowed or
flattened. If the area in a quadrat is made mostly of dead grasses rather than actual bare
ground, record as ‘DG’ on the field data sheet, but process the data as bare ground.
Given the restoration/treatment of the site, most bare ground data recorded for the
grassland community quadrats will actually be dead grasses. Both pond and swale
communities have mostly bare ground coverage rather than dead grass coverage.
Percent cover of unknown species will be recorded under descriptive and memorable
names (such as ‘prickly composite’) or under a numbering system (such as ‘unknown
#1). Record information for unknown species consistently under the same name until it
can be identified appropriately.
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Master Monitoring Plan
C. Analytical Methods
After entering field data (percent cover of each species per transect) into a worksheet
(refer to Figure 2b), calculate for each transect the percent cover per transect by dividing
the sum of percentages for a species per transect by the number of quadrats for that
transect. After completing that calculation for each transect, calculate the total percent
cover of a species per community type by dividing the sum of percent cover per transect
by the number of transects in that community type.
To create a summary of the data for reporting purposes (refer to Figure 2c), categorize
each species into one of the following: Natives, Exotics, Bareground/Dead grasses, or
Unknowns. Make a subcategory under Natives for Planted Species, and under Exotics
for Grasses. For each community type (swale, floodplain, pond) enter in each species
percent cover in that community and sum the percent cover per category per community.
For subdivided categories, be sure to include the total sum for the subcategory in the total
sum for the main category. To calculate the total percent cover of area sampled for each
category, take the sum of each percent cover sum for each category (divided by 100 and
multiplied by the number of quadrats in that community) and divide by the total number
of quadrats sampled.
Check to make sure the sum of each category (excluding subcategory totals—they are
included in category totals) add up to 100%. There may be an acceptable (and expected)
margin of error (+/- 2%) due to field error. If a larger error occurs, check for errors in
calculations and for miss-entered data. If after carefully and thoroughly checking for and
finding no errors, it must be assumed that this is due to field error and should be noted in
the monitoring report.
III. Filipponi Packard
A. Description
Filipponi Packard area has been divided into two areas, Filipponi Packard I and Filipponi
Packard II, due to differences in the monitoring methods for these areas. Packard I refers
to the area located at the upland northern side of the east fork of San Luis Obispo Creek;
Packard II (downstream from Packard I) refers to the 1700ft linear corridor which
includes the levy and the excavated portion of the levy at the northwestern side of the
creek running parallel to the swale of the Filipponi County area, up until where the swale
meets the creek (refer to Figure 1a). A line-intercept method has been developed for
Filipponi Packard over the previously described transect method for Filipponi County to
determine the success of creating a diverse native community along the creek. A
permanent line transect has been established for Packard I and temporary line transects
have been established for Packard II. Although the methodology for the set-up of these
transects are different for the two areas and are described for each below, the data
collection and analytical methods are the same.
Filipponi Ecological Area
Master Monitoring Plan
A1. Filipponi Packard I
Due to the curvature of the upland area, the line is broken up into 4 segments. The
beginning and end of each line is permanently marked. Percent cover will be calculated
for each species or species type that projects itself over the line (refer to Figure 3a).
The bearing for each rebar location and length of each line transect segment is provided
in Table 2 below. The fencepost was used as a reference point for determining the
location of the first marker.
Table 2. Marker bearings for Filipponi Packard I line transect
Segment
Beginning
Bearing of
marker
end marker
--fencepost
1, 150 from fencepost
S1
1
2, 94 from 1
S2
2
3, 58 from 2
S3
3
4, 26 from 3
S4
4
5, 46 from 4
Length
15.5 m from fencepost
37 m
46 m
57 m
52 m
A2. Filipponi Packard II
The locations of the line transects will be selectively random. The approximate 1700 ft.
of planting area has been divided into five 340 ft. nodes. One 100 ft. transect each will
be installed within each of the nodes (five transects total). Using either the random
number generation tool in Microsoft Excel or a random number chart, generate a number
between 0 and 340 for each transect. These will be the starting points of the five line
transects.
To avoid any overlap of transects, if the starting point is less than the halfway mark of the
node (170 ft.), the transect will run upstream. If the starting point is greater than the
halfway mark of the node, the transect will run downstream. To get a sample more
representative of the different species planted, the line of the transect will be run in a
diagonal from the creek side of the planted area to the opposite edge of the planted area,
from the starting and ending location of 100 ft.
These transects are not permanent, and will be temporarily marked with rebar for the
duration of the data collection for each monitoring period. Five new transects will be
installed each monitoring period using the same selectively random method described
above.
B. Methodology for Data Collection
Using a tape measure (100m and >300ft), the ‘0’ end is hooked to the beginning marker
of the segment/line and the tape is stretched to the end marker of that segment/line.
Beginning at ‘0m or 0ft,’ (for Packard I and Packard II, respectfully) record where the
first species projects itself over the tape (refer to Figure 3a), i.e. ‘species a’ covers 0-0.6
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Master Monitoring Plan
meters or feet of the tape. Record this information for each species the tape encounters.
When a species occurs more than once, continue to record, i.e. ‘species a’: 0-0.6, 2.4-2.9,
4.0-4.7, etc. Record where bare ground, dead grass, and unknown species occur over the
tape, referring to the method described for Filipponi County in previous paragraphs for
the specifics of dealing with these ‘species’.
C. Analytical Methods
After entering field data into a worksheet (refer to Figure 3b) calculate for each
segment/line the sum of the area covered (distance) per species (distance= end point –
begin point). Calculate the percent cover of the segment/line for each species by dividing
the sum of the distance by the total length of the segment/line. Calculate each species
percent cover of the total line transect by dividing the sum of total distance of the species
for each transect by the total length of the line transect1.
Create a summary of the data for reporting purposes similar to that for the Filipponi
County data (refer to Figure 3c). It will be simplified because there is no community
separation of the data. Thus, the sum of percent cover for each category will also be the
total percent cover of area sampled for each category.
As described for Filipponi County, check data for any errors and note significantly large
errors in the monitoring report.
IV. EF-1-1R (Avila 1 Settlement Site)
The area designated as EF-1-1R is downstream from Filipponi Packard and is located at
the lower northwestern section of the Filipponi Ecological Area and includes the lower
400 ft. corridor of the East Fork of S.L.O. Creek (refer to Figure 1a). A similar lineintercept method described above for Filipponi Packard II is implemented for this area.
Although the set-up of the transects is different due to the difference in size of the two
sites, the data collection and analyses are the same and will not be described below.
Refer to the figures (3a, 3b, and 3c) referenced in the Filipponi Packard section of this
report since these same data formats will be used for EF-1-1R.
The locations of the line transects will be selectively random. The 650 ft. of planting area
has been divided into three 220 ft. nodes. One 100 ft. transect each will be installed
within each of the nodes (three transects total). Using either the random number
generation tool in Microsoft Excel or a random number chart, generate a number between
0 and 220 for each transect. These will be the starting points of the four line transects.
To avoid any overlap of transects, if the starting point is less than the halfway mark of the
node (110 ft.), the transect will run upstream. If the starting point is greater than the
1
To avoid inevitable field errors (+/- 2%), calculate the total length of the line/segment by taking the sum
of the total distance of each species per transect. For example, if the transect is known to be 100ft but when
calculated is actually 99.7ft, use the value 99.7 for calculations of percent cover. Use the same method for
calculating the species percent cover for the total transect.
Filipponi Ecological Area
Master Monitoring Plan
halfway mark of the node, the transect will run downstream. To get a sample more
representative of the different species planted, the line of the transect will be run in a
diagonal from the creek side of the planted area to the opposite edge of the planted area,
from the starting and ending location of 100 ft.
These transects are not permanent, and will be temporarily marked with rebar for the
duration of the data collection for each monitoring period. Three new transects will be
installed each monitoring period using the same selectively random method described
above.
V. Wildlife Monitoring
Wildlife monitoring of a habitat restoration project is essential in determining the overall
success of the project. Birds are capable of responding within three to five years to
restored habitats. Data collected from bird surveys will be used to determine ecological
and functional increases in the value of the habitats created.
To get the best assessment of the different species of birds that use the area for foraging
or nesting, it is suggested that a bird census is conducted twice a month for a period of
three months in the spring (March, April, May) and three months in the fall (September,
October, November) (refer to Figures 4a and 4b). For each month, one census will be
taken in the early morning (7am – 9am) and one will be taken in the evening (5pm-7pm).
Anecdotal sightings of birds throughout the year will also be documented.
Bird species to watch for during the nesting season include Willow Flycatcher, California
listed as threatened; Yellow Warbler, California species of special concern; Cooper’s
Hawk, California species of concern; and Yellow-breasted Chat, uncommon.
VI. Photography
Photographs of the area will be taken twice a year to see change over time of the area as a
whole. Seven photographs of Filipponi County will be taken from six locations, five
photographs of the Filipponi Packard areas from four locations, and four photographs of
EF-1-1R from three locations (refer to Figure 1b). Additional photographs may be taken
from the southwestern ridge overlooking the project and included in the monitoring
reports.
VII. Performance Criteria and Remedial Action
Five years following installation, the Filipponi County area should have attained 80%
native plant cover within the quadrats falling in planted areas, i.e. the swale and ponds.
The data from quadrats falling outside the planted areas (i.e. floodplain) will be used to
develop an inclusive description of the change of the area but will not fall
under any performance criteria. The line transect data for the Filipponi Packard areas and
EF-1-1R area should provide results describing 80% native plant cover since the whole of
the line transect(s) was established within the planting area.
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Master Monitoring Plan
If the project’s result does not meet a minimum of 80% native plant cover within planting
areas mentioned above, additional plantings will follow, keeping the same percentage of
species to maintain biodiversity.
There are no set performance criteria to meet with the wildlife monitoring. The data
obtained from this method is strictly a feedback mechanism on the success of the habitat
restoration.
VIII. Reporting Plan
Annual letter reports evaluating monitoring data are to be submitted each December to
the appropriate resource agencies, listed below. Reports will include a summary of
transect data and photo documentation.
A. Monitoring Schedule
REPORT
FIELD DATA
REPORT SENT
1st Year Installation Report
2nd Year Report
3rd Year Report
4th Year Report
5th Year Final Report
November 2002
November 2003
November 2004
November 2005
November 2006
December 1, 2002
December 1, 2003
December 1, 2004
December 1, 2005
December 1, 2006
B. Report Mailing List
Monitoring Reports will be sent to the following parties.
Lisa Mangione
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
2151 Alesandro Dr., Suite 255
Ventura, CA 93001
(References: 995008100-TW and CESPL-CO-R-200101250-JCM)
Mike Sowby
CDFG – OSPR (Avila Beach Trustee Council)
1700 K St., Suite 250
Sacramento, CA 95814
(References: EF-1-1R and Contract # B-19-2002)
Steve Henry
USFWS
2493 Portola Rd., Suite B
Ventura, CA 93003
(Reference: Avila 1 – EF-1-1R)
Julia Dyer
Filipponi Ecological Area
Regional Water Quality Control Board
81 S. Higuera St., Suite 200
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(Reference: 01-RB-06)
David and Lucile Packard Foundation
C/o Resources Law Group
Attn: Sydney Carillo
555 Capitol Mall, Suite 1590
Sacramento, CA 95814
(Reference: Grant Reporting: CCLI Grant #00-11095)
Neil Havlik
Natural Resources Manager
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(Reference: Filipponi Ecological Area)
Master Monitoring Plan
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Master Monitoring Plan
IX. References
Barbour, M.G., J.H. Burk and W.D. Pitts. 1999. Terrestrial plant ecology. 3rd ed.
Toronto, Addison Wesley Canada.
California Partners in Flight and the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture. 1998. The Draft
Riparian Bird Conservation Plan: a strategy for reversing the decline of birds and
associated riparian species in California.
Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network. 1999. Terrestrial vegetation
monitoring protocols. Prepared by P. Roberts-Pichette and L. Gillespie. EMAN
Occasional Paper Series Report No. 1. Environment Canada.
Filipponi Ecological Area Restoration and Enhancement Plan. 2001. Biological
Assessment. Prepared by Morro Group, Inc. San Luis Obispo, CA.
Filipponi Ecological Area
Master Monitoring Plan
X. Appendix
For third year analyses of transect data for Filipponi County, compile quadrat data and
calculate for each species separately: abundance, density, dominance, frequency, cover,
relative density, relative frequency, relative dominance, and importance value. Use the
data summary sheet on the next page to help organize the data.
Abundance: total number of individuals of each species in the total area sampled.
Density: number of individuals in the sample / total area of the sample (m2)
Frequency: (number of quadrats in which a species occurs / total number of quadrats in
the sample) x 100
Cover: area occupied by individuals of a species (calculate from percent cover recorded
on field data sheets)
Dominance: area occupied by a species in the sample (m2) / total area of the sample (m2)
Relative Density: (number of individuals of a species in the sample / total number of
individuals of all species in the sample) x 100
Relative Frequency: (frequency of a species in the sample / total frequency of all
species in the sample) x 100
Relative Dominance: (area occupied by a species in the sample (m2) / total cover of all
species in the sample (m2)) x 100
Importance Value: Relative Density + Relative Dominance + Relative Frequency
(describes the structural role of a species in a stand)