Ventura marsh milk-vetch (Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus) is a federally endangered plant in the pea family and adapted to sites generally characterized by sandy soils and an available sub-terranean water source for most of the year. With its annual dieback in the winter, it appears to be adapted to winter disturbance and flooding followed by resprouting and new seedling germination in the spring. The specific cues for seedling germination have not proved to be consistent in the field where wet years may not trigger as much germination as dryyears and flooded conditions may trigger more germination than less disturbed sites.Since Ventura marsh milk-vetch (milk-vetch, hereafter) was rediscovered in Oxnard in1997 plants have been planted and monitored on Coal Oil Point Reserve on the NW portion ofDevereux Slough and around the Dune Pond. After initial vigor, both populations were lost due,it appeared, to colonization of open sites by willows and ruderal natives or lost due to drought orflooding. Based on the success of milk-vetch on the sandy site on North Campus Open Space,the Cheadle Center proposed that a more comprehensive study designed to explore otherpotential outplanting sites on Coal Oil Point Reserve and adjacent to the campus lagoon in aback-dune swale at East Depression. With funding from USFWS Ventura Field Office, in the fallof 2022 and winter of 2023 sites were identified, index wells were established and seeds werespread in sandy sites that appeared to be potentially suitable.
UC Santa Barbara’s Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration(Cheadle Center) began working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to plan for theintroduction of the federally-endangered Ventura marsh milk-vetch (Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus) at UCSB’s North Campus Open Space (NCOS) in 2018. The first individuals were planted in a sandy site with high sub-surface soil moisture on the upper edge of the highwater mark of the newly restored upper arm of Devereux Slough in November 2019. These individuals were grown from seed collected from the original population in Oxnard and obtainedfrom Mary Carroll. In an effort to elevate plants during episodes when the slough is fully ponded and to mimic conditions we believed may be related to success at planted locations in Ventura five east-west trending berms approximately 1.5 meters wide, 0.5 meters tall, and 10 meters long were constructed with a small tractor. These were to test the effect of subtle differences between north and south facing slopes as was observed in Ventura. At the same time, 6 vetch were outplanted in the “EEM” Swale, a willow woodland with sandy soils near an ephemeral stream. In November 2019, 231 (Sandy zone) and 6 other individuals, grown at the Cheadle Center nursery and about 10 months old, were planted, with subsequent planting taking placeon adjacent sandy mounds in September 2020 (55) and October 2020 (46) (Figure 1). Theseare detailed in previous reports.
In December 2020, an estimated five cups of unprocessed seed were collected from themain population of previously planted individuals and dispersed experimentally across different zones of NCOS that were seen as potentially suitable habitat for the expansion of this initial population (Figure 1). The “sandy zone” is a northeast-facing slope and adjacent sandy plain just southeast of the main planted population and consists of recently exposed soils with a similar consistency and make up of fine beach sand. The “Tule Seep” is a perennially wet seepsurrounded by willow (Salix lasiolepis) and tule (Shoenoplectus californicus) and underlain byclay and clay loam soils. Whittier Pond is a small freshwater pond that holds water throughout the entire year. The “Bioswale” site is a string of low-lying swales or subtle vernal pools descending in elevation northwest from the mesa into the saltmarsh transition with dense clay soils. Finally, several square meter plots were seeded in South Parcel on sandy soils, in mixed riparian woodland and coastal sage habitats. Each of these five zones received one cup of collected seed and fruit material. Germinating seedlings were observed and monitored on a monthly basis during the growing season over the past 3 years.
During the 2019-20 hydrologic year several projects were initiated which were designed toevaluate questions resulting from the long-term Black Lake Ecological Area (BLEA) Nipomolupine seeding experiment. These include an assessment of soil conditions at various sites, anassessment of soil moisture at multiple sites and two additional experimental outplanting trials toevaluate the extent to which fog collection by cages could be more of a factor than herbivory-protection and to evaluate whether there are any benefits to lupine survival from growing ‘with’versus ‘without’ other plants nearby. Results from those studies were compiled in the 2019-20,2020-21, and 2021-22 reports.This report covers results from the monitoring of the two experimental trials over the 2022-23winter, which was relatively wet compared to the previous few years. This report also covers theYear 2 monitoring of the 2021-22 augmentation effort which included 23 plots each seeded with500 seeds established in the swales at BLEA (2014/15 trial swale and 2019 trial swale) andKathleen Goddard Jones Overlook swale (KGJO). An additional 6 augmentation plots were addedto BLEA in 2022, as well as 10 plots at the Dune Protected Area (DPA) just west of Phillips 66refinery. These plots included modest variation to further track the pros and cons of seedscarification and fencing/caging as well as parallel camera trap studies designed to document seedpredation and plant herbivory.Finally, this report includes a brief update on a small occurrence of lupine growing in the CalTrans right of way along Willow Road near the entrance to the Phillips 66 refinery. This naturallyoccurring subpopulation was monitored twice near the middle and end of the growing 2022-23growing season for the number of individuals and seedpods.The three study areas, as well as the Cal Trans subpopulation, occur within one square mile ofeach other within the Guadalupe-Nipomo sand dune complex (Figure 1).
The Clethodim, grass-specific herbicide, experiment was conducted on 60 Nipomo lupine (Lupinus nipomensis) seedlings (10 replicates x 6 treatments). The goal of the research was to evaluate the potential impact of the field application of Clethodim over growing seedlings of the endangered Nipomo lupine through direct spray or aerial (helicopter) application as part of the Guadalupe Dunes Management team’s efforts to eliminate Ehrharta calycina (perennial veldt grass) from the fragile dune habitat. Work is conducted under a CDFW Permit to Study the Effects of Clethodim Herbicide on Nipomo Mesa Lupine (Lupinus nipomensis) (permit No. 2081(a)-19-017-RP). The most effective time to apply the herbicide is early in the growing season of the grass (January) which coincides with the typical time for lupine germination. Spraying may also occur later in the winter or during the spring as perennial veldt grass continues its growth which coincides with the time when lupine may be flowering or fruiting. The experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of the herbicide on both stages of potted lupine seedlings to determine if Clethodim and associated surfactants affects the seedlings under either stage of growth. The goal is to more efficiently manage this invasive plant across the dune ecosystem by securing permit to allow for spraying within occupied Nipomo lupine habitat by both aerial methods (helicopter) and/or by ground crews. Past restrictions on management of veldt grass adjacent to the Nipomo lupine population centers has resulted in a dense cover of the invasive grass around the remnant lupine population. The results of this study indicate that there is no significant effect on vigor, lifespan, or seed production of either aerial (larger droplets) or direct spray application of the recommended herbicide and surfactant mixture on either newly leafing out seedlings or flowering individuals. In addition, seeds from the 6 treatment combinations were evaluated for their viability and we recorded the highest seed viability for all treatments (100%) relative to previous seed germination trials
During the 2019-20 hydrologic year several projects were initiated which were designed to evaluate questions resulting from the long-term Black Lake Ecological Area (BLEA) Nipomo lupine outplanting experiment. These include an assessment of soil conditions at various sites, an assessment of soil moisture at multiple sites and two additional experimental outplanting trials to evaluate the extent to which fog collection by cages could be more of a factor than herbivory-protection and to evaluate whether there are any benefits to lupine survival from growing ‘with’ versus ‘without’ other plants nearby. Results from those studies were compiled in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 reports after a second seeding of those experiments in 2020.
This report covers results from monitoring of the two experimental trials over the 2021-22 winter which was, again, very dry and reduced the number of seedlings which survived to produce seeds. This report also covers the 2021-22 augmentation effort which included 23 plots each seeded with 500 seeds established in the swales at BLEA (2014/15 trial swale and 2019 trial swale) and Kathleen Goddard Jones Overlook swale (KGJO). These plots included modest variation to further track the pros and cons of seed scarification and fencing/caging as well as parallel camera trap studies designed to document seed predation and plant herbivory.
During the 2019-20 hydrologic year several projects were initiated which are designed to evaluate questions resulting from the long-term Black Lake Ecological Area (BLEA) Nipomo lupine outplanting experiment. These include an assessment of soil conditions at various sites, an assessment of soil moisture at multiple sites and two additional experimental outplanting trials to evaluate the extent to which fog collection by cages could be more of a factor than herbivory-protection and to evaluate whether there are any benefits to lupine survival from growing with versus without other plants nearby.
This report is a summary of the Cheadle Center’s remaining seed including the seed produced during the 2021/2022 season. The Cheadle Center has been working on the propagation and seed bulking of Lupinus nipomensis since 2012. This report focuses on the remaining seed in store from the past three growing seasons, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The North Campus Open Space (NCOS) restoration project has created more than 40 acres of estuarine and palustrine wetlands that historically comprised the upper portion of Devereux Slough that was filled in the mid-1960s to create the Ocean Meadows golf course. The project also restored more than 60 acres of upland habitats that include native grassland, coastal sage scrub, riparian, oak chaparral woodland, vernal pools and patches of annual wildflowers in clay and sandy soils. This report summarizes the results from monitoring native and non-native plants, birds, small mammals, aquatic invertebrates, tree growth, and hydrological functions.
The 2022 Nipomo Mesa Lupine Seed Predation and Herbivory Study analyzed the impact that animals and insects have on the germination success of the Nipomo Mesa lupine. Seed and plant herbivory was monitored at two different sites in Nipomo, California to identify the species that have been predating on the lupine and also compare how different planting locations impact herbivory. The three different treatments monitored were seeds set out in caged plots, uncaged plots near vegetation, and uncaged plots far from vegetation. Seed count data was collected at the beginning of the monitoring process (January 24, 2022) and at the end (May 17th, 2022). This data indicated that caged plots had the most herbivory activity, and then uncaged near vegetation, and lastly uncaged far from vegetation. However, this data is not sufficient to draw conclusions because of the high likelihood that seeds were blown out of the bait boxes by wind. Motion sensor trail cameras were also set up at each one of the 8 plots and video footage was collected. Video footage indicated that uncaged sites near vegetation showed the most seed predation, with kangaroo rats and deer mice being the primary predators. Video footage from the uncaged bait stations far from vegetation showed the most evidence of plant herbivory, mainly by cottontails and several bird species. Lastly, caged bait stations showed little herbivory activity, however birds and rodents were still seen in the cages. There was a high prevalence of insect activity in the caged plots, but it is undetermined what their effect was. The camera’s capture rates were extremely low due to technical difficulties associated with the delay between the trigger and the start of the video and seed data was not collected frequently enough to rule out factors other than seed predation in the removal of seeds from the bait stations. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to analyze the impact of these species on the Nipomo Mesa Lupine due to the limitations of this study.
The Clethodim, grass-specific herbicide, experiment was conducted on 60 Nipomo lupine (Lupinus nipomensis) seedlings (10 replicates x 6 treatments). The goal of the research was to evaluate the potential impact of the field application of Clethodim over growing seedlings of the endangered Nipomo lupine through direct spray or aerial (helicopter) application as part of the Guadalupe Dunes Management team’s efforts to eliminate Ehrharta calycina (perennial veldt grass) from the fragile dune habitat. Work is conducted under a CDFW Permit to Study the Effects of Clethodim Herbicide on Nipomo Mesa Lupine (Lupinus nipomensis) (permit No. 2081(a)-19-017-RP). The most effective time to apply the herbicide is early in the growing season of the grass (January) which coincides with the typical time for lupine germination. Spraying may also occur later in the winter or during the spring as perennial veldt grass continues its growth which coincides with the time when lupine may be flowering or fruiting. The experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of the herbicide on both stages of potted lupine seedlings to determine if Clethodim and associated surfactants affects the seedlings under either stage of growth. The goal is to more efficiently manage this invasive plant across the dune ecosystem by securing permit to allow for spraying within occupied Nipomo lupine habitat by both aerial methods (helicopter) and/or by ground crews. Past restrictions on management of veldt grass adjacent to the Nipomo lupine population centers has resulted in a dense cover of the invasive grass around the remnant lupine population. The results of this study indicate that there is no significant effect on vigor, lifespan, or seed production of either aerial (larger droplets) or direct spray application of the recommended herbicide and surfactant mixture on either newly leafing out seedlings or flowering individuals. In addition, seeds from the 6 treatment combinations were evaluated for their viability and we recorded the highest seed viability for all treatments (100%) relative to previous seed germination trials.
