Santa Cruz Island Reserve

15 Mar, 12 PM - 27 Mar, 04 PM

My long-term project is to analyze vegetation dynamics on Santa Cruz Island (SCI), California over a 32 year period (1991 – 2023). The island has experienced two major animal grazing events (sheep and pigs) that had a large effect on vegetation dynamics. Subsequent removal of these herbivores resulted in a recovery period for native species, and an expansion of the invasive plants. Along with historical disturbances, the island is also expected to be subjected to longer term changes in climate. There are going to be pronounced as well as subtle changes in the vegetation. In the 1990s one hundred plots were established to monitor changes in vegetation cover over time. My research will resample these 100 plots in 2022-2023. With these data, I will look at changes in diversity, composition and structure of the plant communities. Beyond SCI, I anticipate that my approach can be used as a model for assessing vegetation dynamics and management strategies in island systems in many parts of the world as well as mainland areas where vegetation has undergone alteration from overgrazing.

Visit #75401 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 45894 | Research

Evaluating Vegetation Community Dynamics Over a 30 Year Time Period on Santa Cruz Island

graduate_student - California Polytechnic State University (CSU), San Luis Obispo

Reservation Members(s)

Dena Grossenbacher Mar 15 - 19, 2022 (5 days)
Jenn Yost Mar 15 - 19, 2022 (5 days)
Group of 1 Volunteer Mar 19 - 21, 2022 (3 days)
Cami Pawlak Mar 19 - 22, 2022 (4 days)
Group of 1 Volunteer Mar 19 - 22, 2022 (4 days)
Mark DiMaggio Mar 19 - 22, 2022 (4 days)
Ken Niessen Mar 19 - 22, 2022 (4 days)
Annie Meeder Mar 15 - 25, 2022 (11 days)
Group of 4 Undergraduate Student Mar 22 - 25, 2022 (4 days)
Robert Klinger Mar 15 - 27, 2022 (13 days)
Elaine Chow Mar 19 - 27, 2022 (9 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Private Room 2 Mar 19 - 22, 2022
Private Room 2 Mar 15 - 19, 2022
Regular Bunkroom 1 Mar 19 - 27, 2022
Private Room 1 Mar 15 - 27, 2022
Regular Bunkroom 1 Mar 22 - 27, 2022
Vehicle Use - By Day 1 Mar 16 - 23, 2022
Vehicle Mileage 172 Mar 16 - 23, 2022
Day Use Only 2 Mar 15 - 25, 2022
Private Room 1 Mar 19 - 27, 2022
Day Use Only 7 Mar 15 - 19, 2022
Day Use Only 1 Mar 19 - 21, 2022
Day Use Only 5 Mar 19 - 22, 2022
Day Use Only 3 Mar 22 - 25, 2022