Database

Restoration Ecology

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Project Name

UCD campus restoration

Public?

Yes

Background Public

The purpose of this project was to assess how restoration of native grasses into exotic-dominated grasslands alter multiple ecosystem services and soil characteristics. At each site, three locations were sampled within the restored site (at each location, separate samples were taken underneath vs. inbetween bunchgrasses), and 3 samples were taken at an adjacent unrestored site (similar in slope, aspect, soil type, etc. to the restored site)

Project Results

Brief summary of the project results

A number of soil ecosystem services differed in exotic vs. native stands. In addition, soil ecosystem services varied spatially within native stands- often differing directly under the native plants versus in the spaces between the native plants.

What changed?

Soil surface erosion resistance was higher in exotic than native plots (both directly under bunchgrasses and between them). Soil carbon differed in depth distribution-- in the exotic plots, it had much higher carbon at the 0-15cm soil depth, while C was higher in natives at the 30-60 cm depth. % Soil organic matter (loss on ignition) was greater in exotic plots in the top soil (0-15cm) compared to natives (no differences deeper in the soil). Soil nitrogen did not differ across restored vs. unrestored areas. Soil bulk density and water holding capacity also didn't differ across treatments

Over what time frame?

3-6 years, depending on site

Was it a success?

all sites monitored had substantial native grass cover as a result of restoration activities

What criteria was used to determine success vs. failure?

% native grass cover

What were the key impediments to success?

invasive species

What facilitated success?

repeated exotic plant control after restoration plantings (mowing, burns, herbicide, hand weeding, etc.)

Were there unexpected tradeoffs?

A number of tradeoffs between natives vs. exotics. Natives have higher deep soil carbon (which is likely more stable for storage over the long-term, and can contribute to deep soil water retention), but exotics had far higher surface soil C. Exotics also have higher surface erosion resistance than the native restoration sites

In hindsight, what would you have done differently?

This project researched successful restoration sites, so not applicable

20 sites found

Name	Floristic Province	Ecosystem type	Size	Topography
1 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	2.0000 ac	flat
1 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	2.0000 ac	flat
2 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	0.5000 ac	flat
2 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	0.5000 ac	flat
3 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	7.0000 ac	flat
3 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	7.0000 ac	flat
4 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	10.0000 ac	flat
4 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	10.0000 ac	flat
5 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	3.0000 ac	levee slope
5 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	3.0000 ac	levee slope
6 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	9.0000 ac	15 degree slope
6 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	9.0000 ac	15 degree slope
7 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	7.0000 ac	flat
7 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	7.0000 ac	flat
8 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	20.0000 ac	flat
8 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	20.0000 ac	flat
9 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	12.0000 ac	flat
9 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	12.0000 ac	flat
10 native - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	2.5000 ac	flat
10 exotic - name	Sacramento Valley	Grassland	2.5000 ac	flat

1 contact found

Name	Project Role	Title	Email	Phone
Valerie Eviner	Data owner	Associate Professor	veviner@ucdavis.edu	530-752-8538

Monitoring

Management Treatment Plot Count

Management Treatment Plot Details

Control Comparison Plot Count

Control Comparison Plot Details

To describe overall monitoring scheme, use text boxes below (e.g. how many subplots were sampled, how they were selected, etc.). To describe individual measures (e.g. plant composition)- use the Add Monitoring Measurements button below.

Measurement Count

Monitoring Details What

Monitoring Details How

Monitoring Details When

Monitoring Details Frequency

Monitoring Details Wishes

Monitoring Details Other

Monitoring Measurements

Type	Protocol	Timing
Other	soil cores taken in increments (0-15, 15-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm depths). Soils dried, then ground and run for %C, converted to kg Carbon/m2 with bulk density measures, and by using the (proportion of native cover x soil C under natives)+(proportion of area between native grasses x C in those interspaces). For the exotic controls, results are from a sample of 3 bulked soil cores randomly sampled across the site	Winter/ spring
Other	soil cores taken in increments (0-15, 15-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm depths). Soils dried, then ground and run for %N, converted to kg Nitrogen/m2 with bulk density measures, and by using the (proportion of native cover x soil N under natives)+(proportion of area between native grasses x N in those interspaces). For the exotic controls, results are from a sample of 3 bulked soil cores randomly sampled across the site	Winter/ spring
Quantitative measure	soil cores taken in increments (0-15, 15-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm depths). Soils were placed in buchner funnels, saturated with water, and covered with plastic wrap for 24 hours (allowing for soil to drain, but no evaporation from the soil. Soils were then weighed, dried and weighed again, to assess the moisture held by the soil. This measure was done at each depth. Depth recorded here is 0-15 cm	winter/spring
Quantitative estimates of population size	soil cores taken in increments (0-15, 15-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm depths). Soils were placed in buchner funnels, saturated with water, and covered with plastic wrap for 24 hours (allowing for soil to drain, but no evaporation from the soil. Soils were then weighed, dried and weighed again, to assess the moisture held by the soil. This measure was done at each depth. Depth recorded here is 15-30 cm	Winter/ spring

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