Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

Clark, Sean [1], Schmidt, Colton [1].

Validating passive restoration after non-native ungulate removal: change detection analysis of vegetation on Santa Rosa Island, California.

There have been limited studies that utilize long-term datasets to quantify large-scale passive restoration. Our study demonstrates the effects of non-native ungulate removal on Santa Rosa Island (SRI), California. SRI is a floristically rich island with over 500 plant taxa, including numerous endemics and endangered species. Plant communities have been heavily impacted on SRI since ranching began in 1844 with cattle, sheep, and pigs, to eventually the introduction of elk and deer for sport hunting. Ranching ceased in 1998 and the remaining non-native ungulates were removed in 2011. Following the cessation of ranching, we expected to see significant changes within plant communities due to passive restoration. Using LandSat aerial imagery and ArcGIS, we conducted a change detection analysis to quantify changes in specific plant communities and overall vegetation on SRI. Supervised classification was applied using National Park Service transect vegetation data and ancillary data, taken since 1990. Vegetation maps created from 1993 and 2010 illustrated a 48% decrease in bare ground and a 24% decrease in grasslands, and a 175% increase in scrub habitats, 23% increase in island chaparral, and 22% increase in woodland communities. These data are critical in supporting the passive restoration and recovery efforts on the California Channel Islands. 

1 - 2045 Langley St., Oxnard, CA, 93033, USA

Keywords:
Santa Rosa Island
Change Detection
Ungulate
island biogeography
Passive Restoration.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT040
Abstract ID:1826
Candidate for Awards:None