Coastal succulent scrub of Baja California is being fragmented and replaced by agriculture, residential, recreational, commercial, and industrial land uses. This study evaluated fragmentation effects of a residential-recreational development. The site was a mosaic of native coastal succulent scrub (CSS) in a matrix of introduced grasslands and tourism infrastructure. Comparisons were made among extensive areas of mature or old CSS and smaller patches, which were either recently fragmented in a golf course or fragmented more than 20 years ago in a residential area. Total plant species richness was 108 species. New fragments exhibited the highest floristic richness due to invasion by opportunistic species. The number of CSS species increased with patch size. There were differences in flora among seasons due to spring annuals. In contrast, cover by native perennials was similar among all conditions and MANOVA results showed that only the variables related to origin (natives and nonnatives) were significant. This means that neither life form nor fragment type was related to the species number. Our study reflects the potential to preserve coastal sage scrub patches within an urbanized area.

Overabundant deer populations pose significant challenges to the conservation of native plant communities. We examined the effects of a protected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm.) population on forest plant communities in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Cove deer herd reached 43 deer km⁻² at its peak in the late 1970s. While current densities are somewhat lower, the diversity and coverage of many understory species remains greatly reduced. To elucidate the influence of contemporary deer browsing, an exclosure study was established in 1997. Ten 10-m × 10- m sample plots were randomly located at three sites, half of which per site were exclosed. Understory vegetation on all 30 plots was intensively sampled in August 2004. While the diversity and richness of herbaceous species was similar in exclosures and controls following eight years of deer exclusion, exclosures contained significantly more diverse sapling layers (tree species ≤2 m in height). Correspondingly, exclosures contained significantly greater sapling densities than control plots (P < 0.001). Herbaceous and sapling layer composition varied between exclosures and controls. Forbs, vines, and low woody shrubs were consistently more abundant within exclosures than control plots. Graminoids (both native and exotic) dominated both exclosures and controls, but typically had greater relative abundance on control plots. Given the modest recovery of the herbaceous layer and the persistence of non-preferred browse species following eight years of deer exclusion, plant community recovery would be slow and uncertain even if the density of deer within the Cove was reduced.

Conservation planners use several methods to select conservation target areas. These include the use of umbrella species for large area requirements, site-specific locations of important biodiversity elements, and indications of ecosystem health. We tested the adequacy of using an umbrella species to represent finer-scale biodiversity elements on 45,205 km² of the central coast of California. A network of core and linkages for mountain lion (Puma concolor [Kerr]) was developed and 22,069 km², or 49% of the region, was selected. We analyzed network representation of a variety of biodiversity elements. The conservation network contained between 8% and 27% of five different endangered species locations in the region. It captured 77% of mapped serpentine rock, a surrogate for rare plants, 88% of the old-growth redwood (Sequoia sempervirens [(D. Don) Endl.]), 55% of the The Nature Conservancy conservation portfolio areas, a surrogate for biodiversity, a majority of three types of oak woodlands, and 79% of the watersheds with extant steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) populations. The mountain lion network more than proportionally represented most of the biodiversity elements examined. However, endemic amphibian, reptile, and mammal populations were less than proportionally represented, suggesting the need for testing levels of biodiversity representation in conservation designs that are based on carnivore habitat. We discuss implications for conservation plans based on this approach, and the potential synergies of linking aquatic health assessments with terrestrial umbrella species for conservation planning. Finally, we discuss the rankings of cores and corridors in the region.

We undertook floristic studies of 104 grasslands in the tallgrass prairie region of Kansas to examine differences in the floristic quality of five common grassland management systems. The different grasslands were warm-season prairie hay meadows, warm-season native pastures, cool-season planted hay fields, cool-season planted pastures, and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields. We recorded 383 vascular plant taxa of which 79% were native and 21% were non-native. Species richness at our sites ranged from seven for a cool season pasture to 109 for a warm-season hay meadow. Our results show that warm-season hay meadows exhibit highest species richness (256 taxa) and are habitats for highly conservative native taxa, while degraded grasslands have a higher number of alien taxa (29% in cool season planted hay fields) and lower species richness (136 for cool season hay fields). We computed Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQI) values, which ranged from 0.3 for a cool-season pasture to 41 for warm-season prairie hay meadows while modified FQI ranged from 0.09 for a cool-season pasture to 4.48 for a warm-season prairie hay meadow. FQI values across management types differed significantly from each other (p=0.000). We conclude that native prairie hay meadows are significant reservoirs of conservative grassland species. In addition, the FQI can be a useful tool for discerning effects of land management on grassland vegetation.

Camping has severely impacted soil and vegetation in many natural areas. Effective techniques for restoring native vegetation are needed, particularly at high elevations. This study assessed the effectiveness of transplanting and restoration treatments designed to improve the physical, biological, and chemical properties of soils (scarification and amendments of organic matter, compost, and soil inoculum), and ameliorate microclimatic conditions (application of a biodegradable mulch mat) on six closed campsites in subalpine forests in Oregon. Most transplants (68%) were still alive seven years after transplanting. Mean area and height of surviving transplants increased 39% and 19%, respectively, over the seven years. Transplanting success varied among species. Graminoids survived most frequently, while tree species grew most rapidly. Only 45% of the shrub transplants survived and the canopy area of most survivors decreased. Shrubs constitute about 70% of the undisturbed groundcover. The soil amendments, particularly addition of compost and organic matter, increased the growth of transplants but had little effect on survivorship. Effects were most pronounced for graminoids and diminished after the fourth year of the experiment. The application of a biodegradable mulch mat had no effect. Transplanting locally collected plants is an effective means of accelerating the restoration of damaged campsites in these subalpine forests. However, the more elaborate treatments were only modestly successful in increasing transplanting success. They did not overcome the difficulty of restoring sustainable populations of the shrubs Vaccinium scoparium and Phyllodoce empetriformis.

Prior to European settlement, scattered, fire-tolerant trees, a dense herbaceous understory, and dynamic disturbance patterns, including fire and drought, characterized oak savannas. In the Midwest, only 0.02% remains, mostly as degraded, isolated fragments, and few studies have examined the post-settlement development of these oak savanna stands. In order to successfully restore and maintain oak savannas on today's landscape, we need to understand their functioning as controlled by biophysical conditions and disturbance patterns, which necessitates reliable identification of sites that previously supported savanna habitat. A common assumption is that the distribution of large open-grown trees reflects pre-European settlement structure; conversely, these trees may be the product of post-European settlement activities. We examined these alternatives by studying the composition and age structure of a remnant woodland site in central Iowa having structural characteristics indicative of past tallgrass oak savanna. Currently, the site supports large, open-grown Quercus alba L., in a dense stand of smaller Carya ovata (Mill) K. Koch, Ulmus americana L., Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh., and Ostrya virginiana (Mill) K. Koch. A total of 374 trees were analyzed for age using a combination of cross-sections from trees removed during a restoration treatment and cores from remaining trees. The oldest tree, Quercus alba, was 145 years old and does not predate settlement in the area. The majority of non-oak trees were less than 50 years old, coinciding with the time that grazing and cutting activities ceased. Our results suggest that the past cannot always be reliably inferred from the present, and that thorough analyses of stand development patterns in relation to historical land use change are needed to avoid incorrect or contradictory interpretations and to ensure sound restoration and management decisions.

We examined the current composition and structure of a woodland in northeastern Illinois and evaluated the early effect of two prescribed burns. In an effort to increase white oak (Quercus alba L.) regeneration, managers are reintroducing fire into the woodland understory. We assessed canopy species and compared understory vegetation and light, along with soil nutrient characteristics, between a burned and an unburned area. In addition, we monitored transplanted white oak seedlings to better understand their growth and survivorship in the woodland. The canopy was dominated by white oak, but non-oak species, particularly slippery elm (Ulmus rubra Muhl.), ash (Fraxinus spp. L), and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), dominated the smaller size classes. There were no differences in woody and herbaceous vegetation, soil, and light characteristics between the burned and unburned area. White oak regeneration was poor which appeared to be due to low understory light levels associated with high density of the shrub prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum Mill.) and high numbers of non-oak saplings. Transplanted seedlings also performed poorly, with low survival rates throughout the woodland as a whole. Mammalian herbivory is a likely cause of additional stress to white oak regeneration. Evidence of browsing of transplanted white oak seedlings was apparent throughout the study area. If white oak is to be a component of the future woodland, managers should consider: (1) implementing a more intensive management program aimed at reducing competition from non-oak species and (2) increasing light in the understory.

A state Forest Practices Act and Endangered Species Act combine to protect habitat of state-listed rare flora and fauna during timber harvesting in Massachusetts. In a three-year period, 10.5% of 2041 reviewed harvest operations co-occurred with rare species habitats. Over 60% of these co-occurrences were evaluated by biologists to have no impact on the species or its habitat. For 35% of co-occurrences, additional mitigating measures were recommended by biologists to be included in the harvest plan. The primary species that triggered rare species habitat review were reptiles and amphibians (e.g., Clemmys inscultpa, Ambystoma jeffersonianum), in spite of the fact that habitat of all rare flora and fauna were considered. The rate of co-occurrence is higher than previously documented when only rare wetland fauna were afforded regulatory protection. Recommended mitigating measures primarily focus on restricted timing of operations to frozen conditions and buffers along aquatic habitats. Based on the low rate of co-occurrence, the small portion of co-occurrences that are deemed to have possible impacts and the inexpensive nature of mitigating measures, it does not appear that this level of regulatory protection of rarity represents an obstacle to timber harvesting.

Phalaris arundinacea L. (reed canarygrass) is one of the most noxious invasive species in North American wetlands, rivers, and lakes. As is true for many invasive species, detailed research may give insights into the ecological and evolutionary factors that promote reed canarygrass invasion. However, important insights into control strategies of reed canarygrass may be gleaned from a synthesis of all the relevant ecological and management studies. We assessed the control strategies previously applied to contain reed canarygrass invasions, the potential for new promising strategies, and the research that is still needed to improve its control in North America. We showed that no one method is sufficient, and that the most successful strategies require both physical and chemical methods, coupled with hydrological management. Moreover, subsequent restoration of the community structure and composition is needed to limit new infestations of reed canarygrass or other invaders. Biological control has not been developed yet for reed canarygrass. Finally, the current knowledge of ecological factors that enhance reed canarygrass invasion suggests that any attempt to eradicate it and limit its spread will be jeopardized if an integrated pest management strategy is not undertaken. Given the high sensitivity of wetlands to plant invasion, management of invasive species must switch from isolated efforts of stand eradication to a landscape approach, emphasizing infestation prevention and accounting for surrounding human activities and the socio-economic context.

Frequently, the management of natural areas and the aspirations of the indigenous communities linked to these areas are in conflict. A recurrent theme is that the conservation objectives of natural areas are not always compatible with the expectations of the communities. In this article, three cases are analyzed in Chile: (1) the Aymarás communities associated with Lauca National Park, (2) the Atacameños communities linked to The Flamencos National Reserve, and (3) the Mapuches-Huilliches communities, adjacent to Chiloé National Park. The general objective is to compare the conflicts, perceptions, and expectations of the indigenous communities associated with these natural areas. The study used an exploratory and qualitative design, utilizing key informants and representatives of the communities. The conclusions obtained for the three groups are relatively similar. All the communities demand ancestral rights of land ownership and a stronger role in decision making regarding land use. Nevertheless, they have an increasingly positive perception of the institution that administers the natural areas (The Chilean Forest Service-CONAF); the reasons for this perception include the recent indigenous participation approach used in the planning and management of the natural areas and the technical assistance received from the institution. However, resentment persists in the communities regarding the lack of participation in the original decision to establish the natural areas. Thus, the challenge to strengthen the trust with the communities in achieving mutual goals acquires special importance.