Santa Cruz Island Reserve

13 Sep, 07 AM - 14 Sep, 07 AM

The Montrose Settlements Restoration Program (MSRP) is currently funding several seabird restoration projects within the Channel Islands National Park (CINP), California. Projects focus on restoring or improving nesting habitat for three primary breeding species: Cassin?s auklets (Ptychoramphus a. aleuticus), Xantus?s murrelets (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus), and Ashy storm-petrels (Oceanodroma homochroa). Pre-restoration monitoring was conducted at Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and San Miguel islands in 2006-2007. Collaborative monitoring provided information on breeding success and phenology of these three species for use in post-restoration assessments. Nesting habitat at current and historic colony sites was surveyed to determine the scope of restoration actions. Cassin?s auklet habitat restoration will take place at Scorpion Rock, a small islet located off the northeast coast of Santa Cruz Island (SCI). Restoration actions will improve and enhance existing natural habitat for Cassin?s auklets by restoring native vegetation, stabilizing soil to minimize erosion, and eradicating invasive, nonnative vegetation. Previous monitoring of Cassin?s auklet reproduction at this site took place from 2000-05 by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Humboldt State University (HSU) (Adams et al. 2004; J. Adams, unpubl. data). NPS, USGS, HSU, and other collaborators have also collected auklet reproductive data from Prince Island since 1985. Observations at both sites during the breeding season have been facilitated by nest boxes, which allow productivity to be monitored without disturbance to fragile soil habitat. Natural auklet burrows are present in relatively small numbers, perhaps due to the scarce vegetation and associated high rate of soil erosion. A vegetation restoration program will be initiated in 2008 at tht Scorpion Rock colony site.

Visit #15912 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 10389 | Research

Seabird Habitat Restoration on Scorpion Rock

other - Channel Islands National Park

Reservation Members(s)

Laurie Harvey Sep 13 - 14, 2008 (2 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Dorm 1 Sep 13 - 14, 2008
Jeep 1 Sep 13 - 14, 2008