Camino Corto Open Space Preservation & Vernal Pools Habitat Biological Restoration Post Construction Monitoring
The restored vernal pool habitat at Camino Corto will be monitored by volunteers, interns, and consulting biologist. to determine if restoration goals were met. Monitoring, which will commense in Winter will probably include the following aspects of vernal pool function;
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Pool hydrology in the first season to determine if the ponding duration of the restored pools fall within the range found at Del Sol Vernal Pool Reserve
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Invertebrate and tadpoles should be surveyed at restored and reference sites in the rainy season
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Bird use should be monitored at restored and reference sites during the rainy season
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Vegetation should be surveyed in late spring (May or June) to determine percent cover of native and non-native species.
Success Criteria
After five years, the monitored hydrological and ecological functions of the restored pools should be within the range found for others in the Isla Vista vernal pool complex. Success of the restoration program is based on the following guidelines:
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Ponding duration of the restored pools within the range found for reference pools (Del Sol Vernal Pool Reserve).
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Add [1,000 m2 (10,000 sq. ft.)] of restored vernal pool habitat to Camino Corto Open Space with ponding duration between 30 and 150 days in a typical rain year.
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Colonization of the restored pools by species characteristic of Isla Vista vernal pools (i.e., Eryngium vaseyi, Eleocharis acicularis, Plagiobothrys undulatus, Hemizonia parryi ssp. australis and other species).
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Percent cover of native plants should be >20% after first season, 50% after two rain seasons, and 75% after five seasons.
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Non-native plants should occupy less than 25% cover in the restored vernal pools.
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The vernal pools should support invertebrate, amphibian and bird diversity and abundance within the range found at other pools in the Isla Vista vernal pool complex.
Contingency Plan
If post-construction monitoring indicates that the restored pools are not functioning near the levels expected after the first rainy season (after accounting for the functioning of the reference pools, which may be at above or below average conditions depending on rainfall or other factors), several actions may be considered to improve vernal pool functions. Potential pool function problems and proposed contingency actions include:
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Ponding duration too short relative to other pools in the complex. a) Construct low soil berm to retain water discharge or b) excavate basin to greater depth.
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Ponding duration too long relative to other pools in the complex. a) Excavate shallow drainage swale at low point on basin edge or b) fill deepest areas and re-inoculate.
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Low first year germination, survival or percent cover of native vernal pool plants. a) If it is an unusual first rain season, do nothing and give plants a chance to establish on their own in the second year. b) In normal rain year, reintroduce seeds and seed bank material to basins.
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Invasive exotic plants occupy unacceptable percentage of habitat. Assess ponding depth and duration. a) If ponding depth and duration meet criteria, then remove weeds by hand or by mechanical means. b) If ponding duration or depth are outside criteria, adjust pond hydrology.
