PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #42: Restoration of Public Lands.
Wednesday, August 7. Presentation from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Exhibit Hall B & C, TCC
107
Baseline phenological data for perennial grassland restoration of a yellow starthistle-infested site.
Edinger-Marshall, Susan*,1, Craig, Andrea1, Hoover, Lisa2, McRae, John2, 1 Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA2 Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka, CA
ABSTRACT- Many publicly owned rangelands are remote, with agricultural techniques limited or prohibited (e.g. cultivation and herbicides). This poster will document the first phase of an integrated approach to managing yellow starthistle (YST) (Centaurea solstitialis) using manual treatments (simulated grazing) and revegetation with transplants. Transplantation of perennial plugs does not require seedbed preparation and decreases risks associated with seed predation and weed competition. The objective of this long-term project is to restore a YST-infested homestead site with perennial native grasses and forbs. Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus) and broad-leaved lotus (Lotus crassifolius) seed was gathered on the Six Rivers National Forest and sown in plugs at Tsemeta Nursery in Hoopa, California. In preparation for Fall 2002 transplantation, we did a baseline study to determine existing competitive species, their phenology, and concurrent environmental factors, including precipitation, air and soil temperature, and soil moisture. Results will be presented using digital imagery recorded starting March 2002. One specific objective will be to identify the optimal time for YST control by weed whacking (simulated grazing). Future studies will focus on herbivory and seedbank dynamics, the potential for herbivore grazing for weed control, and quantifying the role of existing biocontrol insects on YST.
KEY WORDS: Centaurea solstitialis, Elymus glaucus, rangelands, public lands