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ClimatechangeadaptationsynthesisfortheSouthernCaliforniaClimateAdaptationProject. 1
SouthernCaliforniaEndemicHabitatsClimateChangeAdaptationSynthesis
IntroductionThefollowingsectionpresentsclimatechangeadaptationplanningresultsforendemichabitats(bothaquaticandterrestrial;includingserpentine,carbonate,gabbro,pebbleplains,claylens,wetlands,andfens).Theresultssummarizediscussionsandactivitiescompletedbyparticipantsduringatwo-dayadaptationworkshopaswellaspeer-reviewcommentsandrevisionsandrelevantexamplesfromtheliteratureorothersimilarefforts.1Wefirstpresentcurrentmanagementgoalsidentifiedbyparticipants.Thepurposeofidentifyingmanagementgoalsistoprovideafoundationforevaluatingwhetherandhowclimatechangemightaffecttheabilitytoachieveagivengoal,andtodevelopoptionsforreducingvulnerabilitiesthroughrevisedmanagementactivities.Foreachmanagementgoal,participantsidentifiedpotentialclimatechangevulnerabilities.Thisactivitywasfollowedbytheevaluationofcurrentmanagementactions,includingwhether,intheircurrentform,theycanhelptoreduceidentifiedvulnerabilitiesand/orhowtheycanbemodifiedtobetteraddressclimatechallenges.Followingtheevaluationofpotentialvulnerabilitiesofcurrentmanagementgoalsandactions,participantsexploredpotentialfuturemanagementgoalsandadaptationstrategiesandidentifiedmorespecificadaptationactionsdesignedtoreducevulnerabilitiesorincreaseresilienceofendemichabitats.Foreachadaptationaction,participantsthenevaluatedwhere,when,andhowtoimplementthoseactionsaswellascollaborationandcapacityneeds.Lastly,wepresentatablesummarizingalladaptationactionsdevelopedbyparticipantsaswellasadditionalactionsforconsiderationfromtheliteratureandfromothersimilarefforts.Adaptationactionsaregroupedaccordingtowhetherthey(1)enhanceresistance,(2)promoteresilience,(3)facilitatetransition,(4)increaseknowledge,or(5)engagecoordinationintermsofrespondingtoclimatechange.
DefiningTermsGoal:Adesiredresultforagivenresource.
Adaptationstrategy:Generalstatementsofhowtoreducevulnerabilitiesorincreaseresilienceofcurrentmanagementgoals.
Adaptationactions:Specificactivitiesthatfacilitateprogresstowardsachievinganadaptationstrategy.
CurrentManagementGoalsandPotentialVulnerabilitiesWorkshopparticipantsidentifiedonekeycurrentmanagementgoalforendemichabitats:
(1) Promotetherecoveryofthreatenedandendangeredplantandanimalspecies.
1Workshopparticipantsincluded:DavidAustin,USFS
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(2) PromotetheconservationofForestServicesensitivespeciesand/orCaliforniaStatelistedspeciesofspecialconcern.
(3) Improvebiologicaldiversity.Aspartoftheworkshopactivities,participantsidentifiedpotentialclimateandnon-climatevulnerabilitiestocurrentmanagementgoalsandactionsforendemichabitats.Vulnerabilitiesidentifiedincluded:
• Phenologymismatch• Drought–abilitytowaterrestorationplantingsand/orforspecies/habitatstorelocate• Shiftsinspeciesrange(elevationandlocation)• Vegetationtypechanges• Invasivespecies/competition• Habitatloss/disturbanceduetohumanrecreation/activitiesand/orfire
Inresponsetothesevulnerabilities,participantsthenevaluatedwhetherornotexistingmanagementactionsmaybeeffectiveinreducingvulnerability;identifiedwhat,ifany,climateandnon-climatevulnerabilitiestheactionhelpsreduce;andevaluatedthefeasibilityofactionimplementation.Givenactioneffectivenessandfeasibility,participantsthenevaluatedwhetherornottocontinueimplementationoftheaction.Forthoseactionsrecommendedforcontinuedimplementation,participantsthenidentifiedbothhowandwheretoimplement.
Terminology
Actioneffectiveness:Identifytheeffectivenessoftheactioninreducingvulnerability.High:actionisverylikelytoreducevulnerabilityandmaybenefitadditionalgoalsorhabitats;Moderate:actionhasmoderatepotentialtoreducevulnerability,withsomelimitstoeffectiveness;orLow:actionisunlikelytoreducevulnerability.
Actionfeasibility:Identifyfeasibilityofimplementingtheaction.High:therearenoobviousbarriersandithasahighlikelihoodofbeingimplemented;Moderate:itmaybepossibletoimplementtheaction,althoughtheremaybechallengesorbarriers;orLow:thereareobviousand/orsignificantbarrierstoimplementationthatmaybedifficulttoovercome.
Howtoimplement:Identifyhowtoapplythisactiongivenvulnerabilities.Forexample,considerplantingnativespeciesthatcancopewitharangeoffutureconditionsorthosebestadaptedtoprojectedfutureconditions.
Wheretoimplement:Identifythemanagement,ecological,orsiteconditionswheretheactioncouldbemostappropriatelyimplemented.Forexample,isitbesttoimplementinareaswithhighsoilmoistureholdingcapacity,areasprojectedtolosethemostwatersupply,post-fireareas,highlyroadedareas,etc.?
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Table1belowexplorescurrentmanagementgoalsandactions,potentialvulnerabilities,andwaystorevisecurrentactionstoreducevulnerabilitiesforendemichabitats.Thetableisstructuredtoprovide:
1. Acurrentmanagementgoal;2. Potentialclimateandnon-climatevulnerabilitiesthataffectthesuccessofachievingthe
managementgoal;3. Multiplecurrentmanagementactions;4. Anevaluationofactioneffectiveness,feasibility,andpotentialvulnerabilitiesthatthe
maybereducedbyactionimplementation;and5. Adescriptionofwhereandhowtoimplementtheactiongivenclimatevulnerabilities
andwhetherornotimplementationoftheactionmayhaveindirecteffectsonotherresources,eitherpositiveornegative.
RevisedManagementActionsThefollowinglistdescribestrendsandcommonalitiesamongsttheclimate-informedcurrentmanagementactionsdiscussedbyparticipantsinTable1.
• Habitatmaintenance(includingincreasinghabitatsuitabilitythroughrestorationorenhancement)wasidentifiedasakeyactionforpromotingtherecoveryofsensitive,threatenedorendangeredendemicplantandanimalspecies.
• Amajorityofidentifiedactionsfallundertheenhanceresistanceadaptationcategory(e.g.,habitatmaintenance);however,participantsalsoidentifiedoneactionthatfacilitatesresponsetoclimatechangeimpacts(i.e.,speciesreintroduction/relocation).
• Participantssuggestedprioritizingcriticalhabitatareasforactionimplementationfollowedbyotherbiologicallyimportantareas,andhighlightedthatactionsidentifiedinthisreportcouldbeimplementedinconcertwithhazardousfuelsreduction,vegetationmanagement,andwatershedrestorationtreatments.
• Actionimplementationopportunitiesandsuccessmaybelimitedbyavarietyoffactors,including:recentwildlandfireinthearearesultinginreducedhabitatquality,highsitespecificityofendemicspecies(e.g.,soiltypeandmoisturerequirements),lackofbroodstockorseedsource,costsofrearingfacilities,regulatoryrequirementsbyregionalofficeorotheragency,permittingprocesses,andpotentialdiseasevulnerabilities.
• Alloftheidentifiedactions(ifsuccessfullyimplemented)mayreducerequiredForestServicemaintenanceofendemicspecieshabitats;however,theseactionsarelikelytorestricthumanaccessandotheruses.
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Table1.Currentmanagementgoals,potentialvulnerabilities,andcurrentmanagementactionsforendemichabitats.Foreachcurrentmanagementactionparticipantsevaluateditseffectiveness(likelytoreduceclimatevulnerability)andfeasibility(likelihoodofimplementation),andidentifiedclimaticandnon-climaticstressorstheactioncouldhelptoamelioratetheeffectsof.Givenactioneffectivenessandfeasibility,participantsthenevaluatedwhetherornottheactionshouldcontinuetobeimplemented.Iftheactionwasrecommendedforcontinuedimplementation,participantsdetailedanychangesregardingwhereandhowtoimplementgivenclimatevulnerabilities.Lastly,participantsevaluatedwhethertherewerepotentialconflictswithorbenefitstootherresourcesfromactionimplementation.
CurrentManagementGoal:Promotetherecoveryofthreatenedandendangeredplantandanimalspecies;PromotetheconservationofForestServicesensitivespeciesand/orCaliforniaStatelistedspeciesofspecialconcern;ImprovebiologicaldiversityPotentialvulnerabilities:• Phenologymismatch• Drought–abilitytowaterrestorationplantingsand/orforspecies/habitatstorelocate• Shiftsinspeciesrange(elevationandlocation)• Vegetationtypechanges• Invasivespecies/competition• Habitatloss/disturbanceduetohumanrecreation/activitiesand/orfire
CurrentManagement
ActionCurrent
EffectivenessCurrent
Feasibility
DoesActionAmeliorate
EffectsofAnyVulnerabilities
?
ContinuetoImplementActionGiven
ClimateVulnerabilities?
Where/HowtoImplementGivenClimateVulnerabilities OtherResourceConsiderations
Increasehabitatsuitabilitythroughhabitatenhancement
Moderate-High
High Yes–increaseshabitat
availability,quality,anddiversity;increases
waterquality;removesbarriersto
dispersal;andincreaseshuman
experience
Yes–ifworking Where:Prioritizecriticalhabitatfirst,thenbiologicallyimportantsites.Maynotbeabletoimplementduetorecentwildlandfire,lackofwaterorseedsource,lackofbroodstock,orspeciesdiseasevulnerability.How:Integratewithvegetation/fueltreatmentsandwatershedrestorationprojects;growstock/keeponreserve;removeinvasives
Otherresourcesactionbenefits:Benefitshabitatdiversityforallspecies;facilitatestrend/movetowardslesshabitatmaintenanceOtherresourceswithpotentialconflicts:Fuelsmanagement,grazingpractices(mayrequirechanges),road/trailmaintenanceactivities,developedrecreationalfacilities,humanaccess/use(mayberestricted),specialusepermits,miningoperations,transportationandutilitycorridors
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Restorehabitats High High Yes–increaseshabitatsize,
availability,andconnectivity;increases
potentialforspecies
dispersal;andincreasesviewing
opportunities
Yes–ifsuccessfulinprioryears
Where:Prioritizecriticalhabitatfirst,thenbiologicallyimportantsites.Alsoimplementinlandacquisitionandconservationareas.Maynotbeabletoimplementduetolackofwaterorseedsource,lackofbroodstock,orspeciesdiseasevulnerability.How:Integratewithvegetation/fueltreatmentsandwatershedrestorationprojects;growstock/keeponreserve;removeinvasives;adjustareas/prioritize;buildpartnerships
Otherresourcesactionbenefits:Benefitshabitatdiversityforallspecies;facilitatestrend/movetowardslesshabitatmaintenance,increasedhumanviewing,increasedriparian/aquatichabitat,andincreasedwaterqualityOtherresourceswithpotentialconflicts:Recreationusersandfacilities(restrictedaccess/use),specialusepermits,grazing,miningoperations,transportationandutilitycorridors
Reintroduce/relocateendemicplants/animals
Low(short-term)
High(long-term)
Low–High–processtakes
longer;dependsonavailabilityofsourceandspecies
survivability;requiresregional
officereviewand
approval;involvesmore
coordinationwithUSFWSandCDFWpermitted
personnelto
No–intensiveandexpensive
Depends–success
dependentonavailabilityof
broodstock/young,
suitableconditionsforreintroduction/relocation,habitat
availability,timingofrelease,adequate
captivebreedingandnurseryfacilities,
conflictwithother
Where:Augmentlowestpopulationsfirstorsitesincriticalpartofrange.Maynotbeabletoimplementduetolackofwaterorseedsource,lackofbroodstock,orspeciesdiseasevulnerability.How:Integratewithvegetation/fueltreatments-waitforidealconditionstobesuccessful;alternativegrow/holdfacilitymaybeneeded
Otherresourcesactionbenefits:Trendtowarddelisting;lessfuturerestrictionsOtherresourceswithpotentialconflicts:Recreationuse,specialusepermits,economics(costly),facilitiestoraise/holdmaynotbeavailable,restrictedaccess/use,permittingproceduresofexternalagencies,availabilityofpermittedpersonneltohandlespecies
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handlefederallyor
stateprotectedspecies
managementactions,
permittingprocess
requirementsofotheragencies
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FutureManagementGoalsandAdaptationActionsWorkshopparticipantsdidnotidentifyorevaluatefuturemanagementgoalsoradaptationactionsforendemichabitats.
AdditionalAdaptationActionsforConsiderationTable2summarizesalloftheadaptationactionsgeneratedbyworkshopparticipantsforendemichabitatsandincludesadditionalactionsforconsideration;additionalactionscomprisethosefromtheliteratureaswellasthoseidentifiedbylandandresourcemanagersduringotherworkshops.Thesestrategiesandactionsaregroupedaccordingtooneoffivecategories:
1. EnhanceResistance.Implementationofthesestrategiescanhelptopreventtheeffectsofclimatechangefromreachingoraffectingaresource.Onecommontypeofresistanceactionsarethosedesignedtoreducenon-climatestressors.
2. PromoteResilience.Thesestrategiescanhelparesourceweathertheimpactsofclimatechangebyavoidingtheeffectsoforrecoveringfromchanges.
3. FacilitateTransition(orResponse).Transitionorresponsestrategiesintentionallyaccommodatechangeandenableresourcestoadaptivelyrespondtochangingandnewconditions.
4. IncreaseKnowledge.Thesestrategiesareaimedatgatheringmoreinformationaboutclimatechanges,impacts,and/ortheeffectivenessofmanagementactionsinaddressingthechallengesofclimatechange.
5. EngageCoordination.Coordinationstrategiesmayhelpalignbudgetsandprioritiesforprogramofworkacrosslandsorestablishorexpandcollaborativemonitoringeffortsorprojects,amongothers.
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Table2.Summaryofadaptationgoalsandactionsforendemichabitats,groupedbycategory(enhanceresistance,promoteresilience,facilitatetransition,increaseknowledge,andengagecoordination).Adaptationgoalsandactionsincludethosegeneratedbyworkshopparticipantsforendemichabitats,aswellasadditionalactionsidentifiedfromtheliteratureandbylandandresourcemanagersduringotherworkshops.
ENDEMICHABITATS
Category AdaptationGoal AdaptationAction
Enhanceresistance
Promotetherecoveryofthreatenedorendangeredplantandanimalspecies
• Enhancehabitatsuitabilityforplantand/orwildlifespeciesthroughactionssuchasrestoringnaturaldisturbanceregimes,removingpotentialbarrierstodispersal,andimprovingwaterquality
• Restoredegradedendemichabitatstoincreasetheamount/qualityofavailablehabitatandimprovefunctionaldiversity
• Minimizenon-climatestressors(e.g.,manageroad,trailandrecreationimpacts)
PromotetheconservationofForestServicesensitivespeciesand/orCaliforniaStatelistedspeciesofspecialconcern
Improvebiologicaldiversity
Preventlossofrelictpopulations • Increaseseedcollectionandseedbanks(exsitu)
Limitandchangeurbandevelopmentpatternstoreducehabitatfragmentation
• Rezone,change,orsupplementlandmanagementplansorzoningplans• Createamoratoriumondevelopinginundisturbedareas,focusing
developmentinpreviouslydevelopedand/orabandonedareas
Increaseinvasivespeciescontroleffortsandpreventinvasivespeciesestablishment
• Implementearlydetection/rapidresponseforexoticspeciestreatment• Requireandenforcetheuseofinvasivespeciespreventionstrategiesin
allprojects• Inventoryregularlytodetectnewinvasivepopulationsandspecies
Promoteresilience
Maintainand/orincreasehabitatresilience• Managetreeandshrubencroachment• Identifythreatsandrestorehabitatswithspeciesthatareresilientto
thosethreats
Identifypotentialresilienceofdifferentlocations • Identifyandprotectintactorproductivecommunitiesofnativespecies• Activelyrestorelessresilientsites
Mitigateconsequencesoflargedisturbancesbyplanningahead
• Developageneconservationplanforexsitucollectionsforlong-termstorage
Facilitatetransition Promotetherecoveryofthreatenedorendangeredplantandanimalspecies • Reintroduce/relocateplantsandanimals
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PromotetheconservationofForestServicesensitivespeciesand/orCaliforniaStatelistedspeciesofspecialconcern
Identifyandprotectrefugia• Identifycurrentandfuturerefugiawhererelictplantscouldbe
established• Designateconservationeasements
Increaseknowledge
Improveunderstandingofeffectsofclimaticvariabilityandchangeonvariousendemiccommunities
• Installplotstomeasurespeciesdistribution,abundance,andphysiologicalresponse
• Identifyspeciesandgenotypesmostresilienttochange• Collaboratewithotheragenciesandentitiestomonitorendemicspecies• Usemonitoringinformationinimplementationofadaptivemanagement
Increaseknowledgeofpatterns,characteristics,andratesofchangeinspeciesdistributions
• Expandlong-termmonitoringprograms• Usemonitoringinformationinimplementationofadaptivemanagement
Increaseknowledgeofmanagementimpactsonendemic,threatenedorendangeredspeciespersistence2
• Designandimplementamonitoringsystemtoevaluatemanagementeffectivenessandimpacts
• Usemonitoringinformationinimplementationofadaptivemanagement
Engagecoordination
Limitandchangeurbandevelopmentpatternstoreducehabitatfragmentation
• Conducteducationandoutreachwithpublic,citymanagers,andlandmanagerstoprotectendemicrefugia
Workacrossjurisdictions
• Coordinateinvasivespeciesmanagement,funding,andsupportbetweenagencies
• Communicateaboutprojectsandcoordinateon-the-groundactivities(e.g.,workwithadjacentcommunitiesandcountiestointegrateandlinkconservationeasementsandconservationplanstoprotectexistingendemiccommunitiesandpotentialfuturerefugia3)
• Alignbudgetsandprogramofworkprioritieswithadjacentlands
2Runge,M.C.(2011).Anintroductiontoadaptivemanagementforthreatenedandendangeredspecies.JournalofFishandWildlifeManagement,2(2),220-233.3Parker,S.(2012).Smallreservescansuccessfullypreserverareplantsdespitemanagementchallenges.NaturalAreasJournal,32(4),403-411.