Once the principal tasks in conversion from Douglas-fir
forest to oak woodland have taken place (first two years), the next
step will
be to develop the tools and complete the tasks needed to achieve
project goals
over the mid-term (two to ten year) period.
Two formally-designed experiments are intended to dictate
mid-term
management actions: one designed to help establish burning schedules
based on
varying objectives (see Goal
8), and the other to efficiently test the
introduction of an endangered species (see Goal
2).
The combination of actual forest conversion
and formal experimental design will answer many of the questions posed
above,
as well as provide a sound basis for making better informed management
decisions into the longer term (ten to 100 years).
Management of the residential area following
short-term
conversion tasks will depend largely on development plans and lot sale
schedules. Street trees, shrubs, and
other perennials may be planted in accordance with regulations, rather
than
animal populations, in mind. Burning may
be eliminated once the piles have been burned.
Mowing may be used to control fuel build-ups and other unwanted
growth
instead of herbicides. On the other
hand, little is known about maintaining stable assemblages of native
plants in
an oak savannah environment over time, either.
Management actions are dependent on the current stage of
knowledge,
which is nearly as limited and conjectural.
Assuming that this plan continues as outlined, two
complementary experiments are described that will develop significant
information of direct value to the continued long-term development and
management of the 18-acre oak savannah environment.
Both experiments will conclude after a nine
year period, and both take place on the same area of ground; within the
oak
savannah.
Reintroduction of Indian-type burning
practices
This experiment tests the responses of target and
focus
plant and animal species (including weeds and pests) to the
reintroduction of
regular burning practices that have been absent from the environment
for more
than 150 years. The oak savannah
environment is divided into three meadows and woodlands of varying
aspect--south, east, and west--and each is burned at one-, two-, and
three-year
intervals for a nine year period (see Goal
8 Tasks).
Burns are timed to reflect Indian burning
schedules (toasting ripe tarweed seeds in late summer or early fall is
a major
factor), and are intended to directly involve the public.
Relict and introduced plant populations will
be mapped over the same time period to chart their responses to the
differing
burn schedules. Effects on select native
plant species (oak, madrone, shrubs, grasses, forbs, and bulbs) and
weed
species (Brachypodium and poisonoak) will be the focus of the study.
Introduction of Kincaid's lupine, an
endangered species
Students will assist with the formal design of
this
experiment, under the direction of local scientists, and can display
their
design and findings on the Internet for peer review and public
information
purposes. An attempt will be made to
introduce Kincaid's lupine (see Goal
2) into an urban residential
environment
in six one-acre test plots. Two one-acre
plots will be contained within each of the three experimental burn
areas, and
their progress will be modified and monitored for nine years, in
accordance
with design. Focus will be on response
of Kincaid's lupine to different regular burn schedules, and whether
Fender's
blue butterflies will visit or occupy the area over time.
Other questions may address tests of seeds
vs. transplants, or monitor natural reproduction (species spread)
outside the
test plots.
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by Oregon Websites
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