I. ASSESSMENT OF THE CONDITION OF THE SITE

II. PROPOSAL FOR RESTORATION IN 2004

 ASSESSMENT

In previous classes, each group was required to carefully read the reports for prior years and evaluate the success of experiments that were performed. The emphasis this year is for students in each group to evaluate the condition of a site that may include restorations from different years, and to take management actions that will put the site back onto a good restoration trajectory.

Parking lot E-5 was converted to prairie in 1998, and modifications were made to that site in 1999 and 2000. In 2001, a shrub buffer was installed just west of the former E-5 to prevent grasses and other weeds from re-entering th prairie site. In 2002, the emphasis was to move east and south, improving the area along the gravel loop trail.

In addition, your group will propose and implement a forest restoration in the area just east of the junction of the loop trail and Wahkiakum Lane.

You may still experiment, but a rigorous experimental design, unless it can be included seamlessly in the restoration, will not be required. You are still encouraged to compare treatments (mulch vs. no mulch; herbicide vs. no herbicide; burning vs. no burning; etc.)

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE REPORTS PREPARED FOR THE PREVIOUS YEARS FOR YOUR AREA

1. Try to understand the goals that have been set by class groups for the previous years.
2. Differentiate between goals for sites that are prairie, wetland, and shrub.
3. Was the plant material used by all previous groups sufficient or appropriate? (Did they use enough, and was it the right stuff?)
4. Did the treatments that were proposed make sense horticulturally and ecologically?

1. What is the nature of the vegetation on-site today? (Include composition, vigor, success of establishment.)
2. What weeds encroach, and at what densities?
3. How successful was the planting of shrubs and trees (at what densities do they exist under various treatment regimes)?
4. What shrubs have survived best, and under what conditions?
5. What has been successful in the wetlands?
6. Have constructed or installed features survived? Are they still functioning? (These may include mulches, stones, cages, protectors, fences, signs, drainage pipes, dams, ditches, etc.)
7. What maintenance tasks a) are now necessary, b) have apparently been necessary for quite a while, c) will become necessary at some time in the future or d) should be performed on a regular basis?
8. How serious is herbivory at the site? Would there be greater survival of planted species if herbivory by rabbits, geese, widgeons, pheasant, etc. were controlled?

ASSESS THE SUCCESS OF THE RESTORATION

1. Have planted species survived?

2. Have weeds been suppressed?

3. How successful is the mulch treatment?

4. How wet are various parts of your plot, and how wet do you think they will be in the summer?

5. What is the soil like? Is it over-compacted, does it contain organic material, is it rocky, is it layered, is it flooded?

6. Are plants in good condition?

7. What needs to be fixed?

8. Are densities of plantings adequate?

9. Does the site look good?

10. Is succession occurring to your satisfaction?

11. Is the site adequately interpreted using signage?

This year your group will be planting woody vegetation. Trees. Based upon the location, aspect, soils, available moisture, plant materials available, potential site treatments, time of planting: design a deciduous forest restoration installation.

Write a short proposal. The proposal should include the following items.

• Discuss what you will do about weeds.
• Explain what you will do about the site in general(weeding, planting, benign neglect, mulching, seeding, etc.) Give reasons.
• List the plant species and types (seed, container, whips, etc.) that you propose to use.
• What treatments would you like to set up? (You can include different soil amendments, plants, plant densities, topographical modifications, herbicide treatments, mulches, etc.)
• What materials will you need? (Wood chips, gravel, plastic film, stakes, herbicides, etc.). Tree shelters have been ordered; we recommend that you use them.
• The assessment and proposal will be due on the Proposal Peer Review page on 30 January. You may start work in the field as soon as your proposal is approved by the instructor or TA.

EXAMPLE OF A REVIEW OF A PROPOSAL