Coastal Sage Scrub Rehabilitation

Paper Summary:

The paper describes how fire is an important part of the coastal sage scrub habitat. The paper further discusses how frequent high intensity fires, combined with the invasion of non-native plants, may affect the habitat's ability to restore itself. The paper examines the effects of frequent high intensity fires on an area of coastal sage scrub habitat in the Voorhis Ecological Reserve, Cal Poly Pomona. The paper analyzes how fires in this area reduced the number of plant species, reduced the layers of vegetation, and opened the land to invasive exotic species that take over from local plant species. The paper concludes that the combination of frequent fires and invasive species may have increased the recovery time of the coastal sage scrub in this area.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"Coastal Sage Scrub is one of the major habitats in Southern California. It is located on the coastal cliffs, plains, and foothills of the Pacific coast of Southern California and Northwestern Mexico, at elevations below 1000 feet. In many places, Coastal Sage Scrub is contingent with Annual Grassland, Coastal Oak Woodland, and Chaparral. (Becker 1988, Minnich 1983)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Becker, S. (1988). "Coastal Scrub." A Guide to Wildlife Habitats of California. Mayer K. and Laudenslayer, W. Jr. ed. State of California, Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game. Sacramento, CA. Accessed November 26, 2006 from http://www.dfg.ca.gov/whdab/cwhr/pdfs/CSC.pdf
• Brooks, M., D'Antonio, C., Richardson, D. et al (2004). "Effects of Invasive Alien Plants on Fire Regimes." BioScience. 54(7):677-688
• Callaway, R. and Davis, F. (1993). "Vegetation Dynamics, Fire, and the Physical Environment in Coastal Central California." Ecology. 74(5):1567-1578
• Chang, C. (1996). "Ecosystem Responses to Fire and Variations in Fire Regimes" Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project: Final report to Congress, vol. II, Assessments and scientific basis for management options. Davis: University of California, Centers for Water and Wildland Resources
• Cione, N., Padgett, P. and Allen, E. (2002). "Restoration of a Native Shrubland Impacted By Exotic Grasses, Frequent Fire, and Nitrogen Deposition in Southern California" Restoration Ecology. 10(2):376-384

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