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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. Filipponi Ecological Area 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 Filipponi Ecological Area 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. Filipponi Ecological Area 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 Filipponi Ecological Area 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)