| Report Documents
|
|
|
| |
| Map Plotfiles
|
-
No files of this type available
|
| |
| Data Files
|
-
No files of this type available
|
| |
| Digital Map Files
|
-
No files of this type available
|
| |
| Image Document
|
-
No files of this type available
|
| |
| Video Files
|
-
No files of this type available
|
| |
|
All Documents
|
|
|
| Contact
|
|
-
If you have any questions on the information presented, or require additional report data or attachments, please contact the
Ministry.
|
|
|
There have been various projects to restore native species and enhance wildlife habitat in Revelstoke Reach. To further this goal, in April 2017 we planted over 1300 live stakes from locally-harvested red-osier dogwood, willow, and cottonwood. We targeted four sites, planting stakes to initiate new habitat patches, or expand on existing patches, of native shrubs through competition and eventually shading of reed canarygrass.
|
Author: M. Kellner, C. Bird
|
Old Reference Number: COL-F17-W-1414
|
Old Reference System: FWCP Fish Wildlife Compensation Program - Columbia
|
Date Published: Oct 2017
|
Report ID: 53130
|
Audience: Government and Public
|
The mid-Columbia region has lost much natural riparian habitat, in part due to reservoir creation. In Revelstoke Reach on Upper Arrow Lake near Revelstoke, BC, large areas where riparian forests could exist are currently dominated by reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). Reed canarygrass is effective at dust- and erosion- control, but creates vast uniform fields, offers limited wildlife habitat, and prevents establishment of native species. There have been various projects to restore native species and enhance wildlife habitat in Revelstoke Reach. To further this goal, in April 2017 we planted over 1300 live stakes from locally-harvested red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), willow (Salix spp.), and cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa). We targeted four sites, planting stakes to initiate new habitat patches, or expand on existing patches, of native shrubs through competition and eventually shading of reed canarygrass.
In September 2017 we monitored the stakes for survival after one growing season. Overall survival across all sites averaged 40 % (which is similar to that found by other projects in the area), but ranged widely from 0 to 90 % survival. Dogwood stakes survived poorly (8.4 % survival) while cottonwood/willow stakes did much better (49 % survival). The drought in the summer 2017, plus planting in sites that were not very fertile or were frequented by horses and humans, likely negatively impacted stake survival. The survival of stakes planted in 2014 was also recorded. Cumulative survival since planting in spring 2014 had decreased from 50 % after the first growing season to 24 % after the winter and second growing season, then to 16 % after four growing seasons. In spite of this continuing decrease, the surviving shrubs are now a significant height above the grass and should begin to contribute to shading of reed canary grass.
The survival of the hand-planted live stakes from this and previous planting efforts confirms that staking can be effective in adding diversity to the drawdown zone, even when survival rates are modest. However, our results highlighted that even with an emphasis on quality planting efforts, issues such as human or livestock interference and extended drought will continue to negatively influence plant survival. We recommend increased outreach and education, plus physical protection of stakes areas if possible, to increase stake survival.
For this project, we offered an opportunity for public input before fieldwork began by partnering with the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society and hosting an on-site open house in May 2016. We also received public input during the field component as we interacted with local users of the sites. Increasing outreach and community engagement is recommended.
|
Report Type
Subject
| |
Region - Kootenay |
| |
Terrestrial Information - Restoration |
| |
Vegetation - Riparian |
| |
|
|
