BOTANY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AT NAVAL AUXILIARY LANDING FIELD SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA

San Clemente Island (SCI) harbors large numbers of endemic organisms, several of which are listed as endangered or threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The U.S. Navy, in accordance with the ESA and the Federal Noxious Weed Act, has an ongoing program to preserve the unique botanical resources and ecosystem of San Clemente Island.

Brief Description of the Anticipated Work:

1.     Grassland Restoration

Native grasslands on SCI have been significantly impacted from historic grazing by non-native ungulates, invasion of non-native species, and drastic changes in the fire regime. In addition, increased training activity may present additional challenges for avoiding further impacts. Previous efforts on SCI have demonstrated the difficulty in achieving large-scale restoration of grasslands due to challenges associated with range access, site selection, and restrictions on ground disturbance. Recent efforts have been focused on identifying the most efficient and effective strategies for achieving small-scale restoration with long-term benefits. The purpose of this task is to further study the best methods for achieving successful grassland restoration on SCI, continue monitoring previous restoration efforts to evaluate long-term success, and integrate grassland restoration efforts with habitat management for other native species of conservation concern.

2.     Habitat Restoration for Poa thomasii

Poa thomasii, an annual grass species known only from three of the California Channel Islands, had not been recorded since being collected on San Clemente Island in 1903 and was presumed extinct. In July 2005, the species was located on Catalina Island at seven separate sites, primarily located in chaparral, across the island. This species is historically an integral component of SCI habitat that was lost due to the introduction of non-native plant and animal species. In 2010, the species was found in two locations on SCI in boxthorn habitat at the northern end of the island. Both locations on SCI are within areas that are used for training and subject to occasional fire. Previous work on Poa thomasii on SCI has been successful in improving the status of the species in terms of population numbers and improved habitat. Because this species was thought to be extinct, it has not been listed under ESA. The SCI Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) states an objective for the Navy to manage the species in such a way as to keep it from being listed. The INRMP notes that due to its restricted distribution on SCI, and those occurrences being located in areas of high human activity, the species is particularly vulnerable to local extinction. The purpose of this task is to increase the population size and resilience of Poa thomasii through propagation, outplanting, habitat restoration, and seed bulking, as well as monitoring natural occurrences and previous outplanting sites to evaluate population trends.

3.     Population augmentation for Malva assurgentiflora ssp. glabra

Malva assurgentiflora ssp. glabra is a perennial shrub native to the California Channel Islands. On SCI, the population was heavily impacted by non-native herbivores and likely would have been federally listed under ESA if the Navy had not proactively managed the species through propagation and outplanting. Recent genetic work may result in reclassification of the subspecies on SCI to a new species endemic to the island. In this case, it would become even more important to continue efforts to augment populations and manage population genetics to avoid listing under ESA. The purpose of this task is to increase the population size and resilience of Malva assurgentiflora ssp. glabra through propagation, outplanting, habitat restoration, and seed bulking, as well as monitoring natural occurrences and previous outplanting sites to evaluate population trends and genetic integrity.

4.     Rare Plant Surveys

Annual rare plant surveys are essential to document the status, distribution, and long term trends of species of conservation concern. Updating the rare plant database on an annual basis allows the Navy to stay in compliance with conservation measures, avoid listing under ESA, and make informed decisions about proposed changes to land use and infrastructure maintenance/construction. The purpose of this task is to collect monitoring data for species of conservation concern and assess the long term trends of these species on SCI.

5.        Draft and Final Technical Report:

The draft and final preliminary report shall be submitted in accordance with Section J. Submittals and Schedules. The report shall be in scientific format and include the following: 1) Title page showing title, date, cooperative agreement number, Pacific Fleet Representative and Cooperative Agreement Technical Representative contact information; 2) Sub-title page showing title, prepared by and for listings, date and recommended citation; 3) Table of contents; 4) Abstract or Executive Summary; 5) Introduction; 6) Methods; 7) Results; 8) Discussion; 9) Conclusions (to include synthesis with previous work and recommendations for future study); 10) Legible copies of the field notes, data forms and other information.