Ecological Restoration Challenges in the Arid Southwest: Case Studies in the Sonoran and

Chihuahuan Deserts

Lori Woods, RLA and Carianne FunicelliLori Woods, RLA and Carianne Funicelli

Presented to SHADE Conference

August 2009

“Revegetation” is not the Same as “Restoration”

Restoration Goals• Habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species• Watershed Health• Improve Conditions for Native Pollinator Populations• Beneficial Use of Effluent Wastewater

Planning for Restoration• Site selection and analysis• Develop a plan: Grading, Considerations for Plant

Materials, Irrigation needs, Maintenance and Monitoring

Creating an Appropriate Native Plant Palette

Characterization of ExistingVegetation

Onsite At desirable reference sites

Review Floristic Information Value to wildlife species Historical data

Container Plants and Seed Mix What is available

commercially? Incorporate flexibility in lists to

avoid delays Water usage

Source Identified Seed Material

Seed Collection, Bulking, and Storage

Appropriate timing of seed collection

Seed bulking of native grasses

Store seeds in a cool, dry location

• HIGH ROOT TO SHOOT RATIO

• LIMITED WATER – CONTROLLED DROUGHT

• FULL SUN

•NO PESTICIDES

• NO FERTILIZERS

TOUGH LOVE = Restoration Quality Plants

Native Soil• Reduced nutrient content inhibits weed growth (native species are

often adapted to low nutrient conditions)• Improved water retention compared to traditional nursery mix• Native mycorrhizal component already in soil• Reduced transplanting stress

Salvage of Native Plant Materials

• Earthwork

• Dethatching/ weed control

• Irrigation installation

• Adding natural materials to provide structure

• Erosion/ Sediment control

Site Preparation

Water

Above or below ground?

Temporary or Permanent?

Invasive Species Management: Species Identification, Best Methods

Invasive Species Control: EARLY AND OFTEN!

Plant Protection

microclimate, visibility, protection from herbivores and trampling

Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration

• Concept plan developed by USACE and Pima County Regional Flood Control District.

• Detailed project design developed by RECON (Landscape Architect and Vegetation Ecologist).

• Design team had continuous involvement throughout the project and positive collaboration with sponsors and contractors.

Project Process

Rillito River Park

FIRST PRIORITY = Keep the Good Stuff!

Get Rid of the Bad Stuff… buffelgrass, tamarisk, Sahara mustard, Russian thistle, African sumac, Mexican paloverde, giant reed, yellow starthistle, yellow bird of paradise, cocklebur, filaree, malva, Bermuda grass, London rocket, cheeseweed, horehound, tree tobacco…

A Couple of Surprises…

Irrigation & Stormwater HarvestingTemporary System

plant palette designed to be self-sustaining once established

Reclaimed water

Stormwater harvesting basins to capture onsite flow and direct water to plantings

Irrigation versus water harvesting (7 months)

Habitat Considerations

Stump treatment to preserve habitat for reptiles and small

mammals

Structure = Shelter• Variety in types of

plants (vines, grasses, trees, shrubs)

• Mosaic of habitat types to meet needs of as many different species as possible

Food Resourcesseeds, berries, nectar, insects...

AREA 1 AREA 2 AREA 3

Location along the south bank of

the Rillito River

Just west of

Craycroft Road

East of Swan Road, just

east of Alamo Wash

End of Columbus

Boulevard

Approximate acres planted

(smaller than total project area)

6.5 3 20

Installation complete date December 2007 April 2008 January 2008

Trees (15-gal) 187 77 875

Shrubs (5-gal) 496 158 2053

Small perennials (1-gal) 377 130 4073

Total number of container plants

installed

1060 (25 species) 365 (18 species) 7001 (42 species)

Seed mix 18 species 24 species 24 species

Invasives issues Mexican paloverde,

tamarisk,

cheeseweed, desert

broom, mustards

Mexican paloverde,

buffelgrass

Tamarisk, buffelgrass,

African sumac, giant reed,

Bermuda grass

Comparison of 3 Areas:

Amphibian ConservationImportant breeding area for 3

species of amphibians:– Couch’s spadefoot– Mexican spadefoot– Great Plains toad

Avoid Impacts

Preserve islands of habitat and use construction fencing to avoid compaction

Amphibian Salvage and Translocation

Terraces

Plant Installation & Layout

• Natural-looking patterns

• Individual basins at each plant

• Protection from critters

Hydroseeding

5-Year Monitoring Plan

Qualitative monitoring• Plant health• Wildlife use• Weed invasion• Repeat photos

Quantitative monitoring• Transects• Success parameters

From straight concrete channels…

Photos this slide courtesy of Andrew Wigg, Pima County Regional Flood Control District

To a Moonscape…

To Moonscape with Dormant Plants…

To Mustard Fields…..

On the Way to Valuable Wildlife Habitat...

4 February 2008 16 December 2008

On the Ground...

From the air…2006 2008

Saguaro National Park Loop Road Revegetation (January 2007)

• 108 small sites

• variety of surfaces

Plant Materials

• seed grown by Tucson Plant Materials Center

• salvaged prior to construction

• onsite salvage

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Restoration Plan (2008)

• 86 acres

• Lukeville Border Fence Project

Endangered Species

• Sonoran pronghorn

• Lesser long-nosed bat

Offsite Mitigation

• Duplicate roads

• Illegal roads, ORV use

• Construction staging areas

Restore Ecosystem Function

Restore natural drainage patterns• Micrograding to restore original contours

• Erosion control

Habitat Values

Close Coordination with NPS

• Establish restoration goals and rapport with local NPS Resource staff

• Field trips

• Workshops

• Document Review

Restoration PrescriptionsBased on Landscape Type Associations

Unique Assemblages of

• Geology

• Soils

• Vegetation

• Landform

Site Specific Treatment

• Cultural resources monitoring

• Local seed collection according to LTA and watershed

• Erosion control• Grading• Special circumstances

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center Landscape

Rehabilitation (September 2008)

Scope of Project• 1,500 grass plugs• 6 specimen trees• 450+ cacti and succulents previously salvaged• Salvage plants from planter• Design and install underground drip irrigation

Working together

In one week...

In one week...

Underground Irrigation

Challenges

• Timeframe

• Remote park, availability of supplies

• In-field modification

• Immediate visibility - visitor interaction, upcoming grand opening

Questions?