. Scorpion Rock Native Plant Restoration: 21 September 2008 slides/Welcome.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 slides/Welcome.jpg slides/Out-planting Species List.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 slides/Out-planting Species List.jpg slides/Back in the Day.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Shot of Scorpion Rocks from the 1940s lifted from a Google Earth posting...If you squint, you might be able to imagine a lush, native flora. Fewer pelicans? Shot of Scorpion Rocks from the 1940s lifted from a Google Earth posting...If you squint, you might be able to imagine a lush, native flora. Fewer pelicans? slides/Back in the Day.jpg slides/Scorpion Rocks, April 2004.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Scorpion Rocks are located just off the northeast end of Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park. Because they are free from mammalian predators and relatively undisturbed by humans these islets provide important breeding and roosting habitat for several seabird species, including Ashy Storm-Petrel, Xantus's Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, Western Gull, Brandt's Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, and Brown Pelican. Scorpion Rocks are located just off the northeast end of Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park. Because they are free from mammalian predators and relatively undisturbed by humans these islets provide important breeding and roosting habitat for several seabird species, including Ashy Storm-Petrel, Xantus's Murrelet, Cassin's Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, Western Gull, Brandt's Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, and Brown Pelican. slides/Scorpion Rocks, April 2004.jpg slides/Adult Cassin's Auklet Profile.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Cassin's Auklets nest in earthen burrows excavated on islands from Alaska to northern Baja California, Mexico. They are small, robust seabirds related to puffins. Adults fly under water to 90 ft to capture juvenile fishes and krill. In 1991, approximately 500 birds nested on Scorpion Rocks; currently approximately 50 birds nest here in the spring-summer. Decline during the past decade, likely resulted from a combination of factors including altered food resources in the SB Channel, lower overwinter survival, and increased predation perhaps facilitated by the spread of invasive crystalline iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) from South Africa. The iceplant can prevent adults from accessing the ground and their earthen burrows. Trapped on the surface the small auklets are vulnerable to barn owls and gulls. Cassin's Auklets nest in earthen burrows excavated on islands from Alaska to northern Baja California, Mexico. They are small, robust seabirds related to puffins. Adults fly under water to 90 ft to capture juvenile fishes and krill. In 1991, approximately 500 birds nested on Scorpion Rocks; currently approximately 50 birds nest here in the spring-summer. Decline during the past decade, likely resulted from a combination of factors including altered food resources in the SB Channel, lower overwinter survival, and increased predation perhaps facilitated by the spread of invasive crystalline iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) from South Africa. The iceplant can prevent adults from accessing the ground and their earthen burrows. Trapped on the surface the small auklets are vulnerable to barn owls and gulls. slides/Adult Cassin's Auklet Profile.jpg slides/Artificial Auklet Burrows.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 About half of the remaining breeding auklets on Scorpion Rock nest in artificial burrows set into the ground. In the early summer, crystalline iceplant starts to push and compete for moisture and light with other introduced weeds such as cheeseweed (Malva parviflora) shown here competing directly with the native giant coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea). About half of the remaining breeding auklets on Scorpion Rock nest in artificial burrows set into the ground. In the early summer, crystalline iceplant starts to push and compete for moisture and light with other introduced weeds such as cheeseweed (Malva parviflora) shown here competing directly with the native giant coreopsis (Coreopsis gigantea). slides/Artificial Auklet Burrows.jpg slides/Determininig Wing-length for a 2-week-old Auklet Chick.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Measuring auklet chicks' wing growth in relation to their body masses can provide an indication of interannual foraging conditions experienced by adults as they search for aggregations of krill and juvenile fishes to feed to their young. Measuring auklet chicks' wing growth in relation to their body masses can provide an indication of interannual foraging conditions experienced by adults as they search for aggregations of krill and juvenile fishes to feed to their young. slides/Determininig Wing-length for a 2-week-old Auklet Chick.jpg slides/Determininig Wing Length for a 2-week-old Auklet Chick.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 "John, artificial burrow number 3 ---- this one is 97 grams, wing is 98 mm, LGC for Large Gawky Chick, ...and the bag-tare is 14 grams ....and, it pooped krill" --"Got it." "John, artificial burrow number 3 ---- this one is 97 grams, wing is 98 mm, LGC for Large Gawky Chick, ...and the bag-tare is 14 grams ....and, it pooped krill" --"Got it." slides/Determininig Wing Length for a 2-week-old Auklet Chick.jpg slides/Manual Removal Treatment with Bionet EC Material.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 We want to measure the efficacy of two treatments to control invasive plants on Scorpion: there are 18 manual removal subplots (sweat and toil), 18 clove-oil-based desiccant spray subplots, and 18 controls. The patchwork is Bionet erosion control material covering 3 manual removal subplots. We want to measure the efficacy of two treatments to control invasive plants on Scorpion: there are 18 manual removal subplots (sweat and toil), 18 clove-oil-based desiccant spray subplots, and 18 controls. The patchwork is Bionet erosion control material covering 3 manual removal subplots. slides/Manual Removal Treatment with Bionet EC Material.JPG slides/Iceplant Removal Plots.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 About 50% of the dominant invasive (crystalline iceplant) in this view has been removed and replaced with Bionet EC material. Even though the desiccated iceplant provides good protection from winter erosion, we removed fully mature, green iceplant in these treatments in an effort to prevent the plants from dumping concentrated salts back into the ground. This treatment will be compared with non-removal, spray-based control of emerging iceplant next spring (2009). About 50% of the dominant invasive (crystalline iceplant) in this view has been removed and replaced with Bionet EC material. Even though the desiccated iceplant provides good protection from winter erosion, we removed fully mature, green iceplant in these treatments in an effort to prevent the plants from dumping concentrated salts back into the ground. This treatment will be compared with non-removal, spray-based control of emerging iceplant next spring (2009). slides/Iceplant Removal Plots.JPG slides/North Ridge Scorpion Rock.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Looking toward the east, with Scorpion Ranch, Santa Cruz Island in the background, the northern ridge of Scorpion is carpeted with healthy alkali heath (Frankenia salina) - this low, salt and acid tolerant, groundcover provides good burrow habitat for nesting Cassin's Auklet. Looking toward the east, with Scorpion Ranch, Santa Cruz Island in the background, the northern ridge of Scorpion is carpeted with healthy alkali heath (Frankenia salina) - this low, salt and acid tolerant, groundcover provides good burrow habitat for nesting Cassin's Auklet. slides/North Ridge Scorpion Rock.JPG slides/Cliff-top Bench Habitat.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 The exposed southwestern side of Scorpion still retains thriving patches of cliff aster (Malacothrix saxatilis v. implicata). The green-brown patch in the lower left is a nasty patch of terribly invasive kikuyu grass; this invasive species is abundant at the Scorpion Ranch campground. The exposed southwestern side of Scorpion still retains thriving patches of cliff aster (Malacothrix saxatilis v. implicata). The green-brown patch in the lower left is a nasty patch of terribly invasive kikuyu grass; this invasive species is abundant at the Scorpion Ranch campground. slides/Cliff-top Bench Habitat.JPG slides/Lemonade Berry Skeletons.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) on the windward side of Scorpion once flourished. Although we do not know what killed these specimens, there has been no subsequent recruitment since about the mid 1970s. Purple flags mark sites for supplemental lemonade berry out-planting. Lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) on the windward side of Scorpion once flourished. Although we do not know what killed these specimens, there has been no subsequent recruitment since about the mid 1970s. Purple flags mark sites for supplemental lemonade berry out-planting. slides/Lemonade Berry Skeletons.JPG slides/Flagging for Tomorrow's Out-planting.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 David Mazurkeiwicz of Growing Solutions, Santa Barbara lays out flags to mark where plants will go during the next several day's restoration effort. The green cover in the lower right is alkali heath (Frankenia salina), a salt tolerant native. The low, brownish groundcover is desiccated crystalline iceplant, and the knee-high weed is goosefoot (Chenopodiacea) - both introduced annuals. David Mazurkeiwicz of Growing Solutions, Santa Barbara lays out flags to mark where plants will go during the next several day's restoration effort. The green cover in the lower right is alkali heath (Frankenia salina), a salt tolerant native. The low, brownish groundcover is desiccated crystalline iceplant, and the knee-high weed is goosefoot (Chenopodiacea) - both introduced annuals. slides/Flagging for Tomorrow's Out-planting.JPG slides/Red flags Mark a Patch of Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Planting sites marked here with red flags, Santa Cruz Island buckwheat (Eriogonum arborescens) is common in the adjacent main island coastal plant assemblage. This island endemic provides good forage for native bees and butterflies. Its mounding form also may provide nesting habitat for Xantus's Murrelet - a rare and special seabird found in the Channel Islands. Planting sites marked here with red flags, Santa Cruz Island buckwheat (Eriogonum arborescens) is common in the adjacent main island coastal plant assemblage. This island endemic provides good forage for native bees and butterflies. Its mounding form also may provide nesting habitat for Xantus's Murrelet - a rare and special seabird found in the Channel Islands. slides/Red flags Mark a Patch of Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat.JPG slides/A Boatload of Natives Arrives.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 IT'S PLANTING TIME! A boatload of native plants arrives from Prisoner's Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. These plants have been raised with nurturing care by Growing Solutions. Once transported to the island they will be freed from their containers and subjected to some of the harshest conditions a plant can imagine: acidic soils, wind, blazing sun, and pelicans....we hope some will cope! IT'S PLANTING TIME! A boatload of native plants arrives from Prisoner's Harbor, Santa Cruz Island. These plants have been raised with nurturing care by Growing Solutions. Once transported to the island they will be freed from their containers and subjected to some of the harshest conditions a plant can imagine: acidic soils, wind, blazing sun, and pelicans....we hope some will cope! slides/A Boatload of Natives Arrives.JPG slides/Skiffing the Plants to Scorpion Rock.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Native plants were transported from the boat to the island with small inflatable skiffs. Native plants were transported from the boat to the island with small inflatable skiffs. slides/Skiffing the Plants to Scorpion Rock.JPG slides/Out-planting the Experimental Plots.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Once on the island, a crew of 15 or more set out to revegetate with natives. Once on the island, a crew of 15 or more set out to revegetate with natives. slides/Out-planting the Experimental Plots.JPG slides/Coastal Sagebrush.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Hardpan soils yield to the gas-powered auger. Armed with a flat of 4-in coastal sagebrush (Artemisia californica), horticulturists plant amidst desiccated crystalline iceplant. Hardpan soils yield to the gas-powered auger. Armed with a flat of 4-in coastal sagebrush (Artemisia californica), horticulturists plant amidst desiccated crystalline iceplant. slides/Coastal Sagebrush.JPG slides/Giant Wild Rye.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 A restorationist gently coaxes free a speedtube’s-worth of giant wild rye (Leymus condensatus), a species described as present on Scorpion Rock in the early 1970s. A restorationist gently coaxes free a speedtube’s-worth of giant wild rye (Leymus condensatus), a species described as present on Scorpion Rock in the early 1970s. slides/Giant Wild Rye.JPG slides/Planting Alkali Heath.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Alkali heath (Frankenia salina) gets a jump on the iceplant. This one is planted into a "spray treatment" plot. We left the desiccated iceplant to protect the soil from winter rains. In the spring when the iceplant and other weeds start to push, we will spray these with a clove-oil based desiccant - hopefully, the native out-plantings will gain the upper hand. Alkali heath (Frankenia salina) gets a jump on the iceplant. This one is planted into a "spray treatment" plot. We left the desiccated iceplant to protect the soil from winter rains. In the spring when the iceplant and other weeds start to push, we will spray these with a clove-oil based desiccant - hopefully, the native out-plantings will gain the upper hand. slides/Planting Alkali Heath.JPG slides/Planted Manual Removal Study Plot.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 We used a 7-species native out-planting design in our experiment. For each 5x5 m plot, there are 25 plants spaced approximately 1 m apart. We used a 7-species native out-planting design in our experiment. For each 5x5 m plot, there are 25 plants spaced approximately 1 m apart. slides/Planted Manual Removal Study Plot.JPG slides/Planting the Outlying Areas.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 These folks are planting into desiccated iceplant outside the experimental plots. The hope is that the native out-plantings will get the jump on the iceplant come spring rains and longer days. These folks are planting into desiccated iceplant outside the experimental plots. The hope is that the native out-plantings will get the jump on the iceplant come spring rains and longer days. slides/Planting the Outlying Areas.JPG slides/A New Coreopsis Gets Hydrated.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 After out-planting, restorationists methodically watered the plants by hand to give them a bit of moisture in the otherwise parched soil. After out-planting, restorationists methodically watered the plants by hand to give them a bit of moisture in the otherwise parched soil. slides/A New Coreopsis Gets Hydrated.JPG slides/How to Irrigate an Arid Island Restoration.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 David scored 17, clean food-grade drums on Craig's List. After hefting onto the island, we plumbed them with hose bibs and staked them into the ground along the central drainage. It takes about half an hour to refill these by pumping water through 500 ft of fire hose from tanks carried by the CINP's M/V Ocean Ranger. David scored 17, clean food-grade drums on Craig's List. After hefting onto the island, we plumbed them with hose bibs and staked them into the ground along the central drainage. It takes about half an hour to refill these by pumping water through 500 ft of fire hose from tanks carried by the CINP's M/V Ocean Ranger. slides/How to Irrigate an Arid Island Restoration.JPG slides/Fluffy Auklet Chick.jpg Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 Continuing research on Scorpion Rock and Prince Island will help us track the population status and potential for recovery among Cassin's Auklets nesting in the Channel Islands National Park. Continuing research on Scorpion Rock and Prince Island will help us track the population status and potential for recovery among Cassin's Auklets nesting in the Channel Islands National Park. slides/Fluffy Auklet Chick.jpg slides/Scorpion Rock, California Channel Islands.JPG Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:12:35 -0700 Jalbum 8.0 slides/Scorpion Rock, California Channel Islands.JPG