Progress 06/01/03 to 02/29/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Goodell Creek Gravel Mine Restoration project is a 1.7 ha portion of a 15 ha acre site on the eastern bank of Goodell Creek, a tributary of the Skagit River, in the North Cascades National Park Complex near Newhalem, Washington. Gravel mining ceased approximately 20 years ago at Goodell and has since been used as a construction staging and aggregate storage area. The restoration site occupies the riparian terrace zone immediately adjacent to the creek. The seedlings of three native tree species and a native seed mix comprising 19 shrub, forb and grass species subjected to straw, woodchips, or no mulch laid over an incorporated partially digested sawdust/paper mill sludge soil amendment or no amendment in a 2 X 3 factorial design. The six treatment combinations were evaluated for their effect on the survival and growth of three native tree species, black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera), red alder (Alnus rubra) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzeisii) and the initial germination and survival of the native seed mix. PARTICIPANTS: 1. Kern Ewing, Professor, University of Washington College of Forest Resources. 2. Rodney Pond, Master of Science student, University of Washington College of Forest Resources. 3. Dr. Gina Rochefort, North Cascades National Park Science Advisor. 4. Dr. Warren Gold, Associate Professor, University of Washington, Bothell, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences; and Co-Director, UW Restoration Ecology Network. 5. Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, Associate Professor of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Washington State University; and Extension Specialist in Urban Horticulture. 6. Sean Smukler, research partner, Research Assistant, U.S. National Park Service. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include governmental agencies including the National Park Service, land managers, restoration practitioners, wood residuals manufacturers, educators, researchers, and students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
First and third growth season response data indicate Alnus rubra and Pseduotsuga menzeisii displayed increased growth with amendment while Populus balsamifera showed no significant growth difference between treatments. Conversely tree mortality was increased with amendment especially in conjunction with woodchip mulch. Seed mix germination response varied from species to species but as a whole germinated more successfully and experience greater survival with either straw or no mulch and no amendment treatments. The most salient lesson to be taken from this experiment is that soil restoration techniques must be chosen based on the autecology and physiology of the plants to be introduced. Generalist soil improvement techniques based on silvicultural and agricultural practices do not always translate successfully to restoration practice without first considering the ecological viability and consequences of those techniques. In the case of this study response to amendment and mulch application varied according to species and in what form that species was introduced. Transplants and seed can have divergent requirements for first season establishment therefore soil preparation should focus on providing optimal conditions for one or the other either spatially or temporally (or both). Ultimately the choice of species, installation form and site preparation technique for repairing severely degraded systems should be based on re-establishing the primary ecosystem processes that stabilize soils, enhance water and nutrient retention and boost primary productivity.
Publications
- Pond, R. 2005. Low Elevation Riparian Forest Restoration on a Former Gravel Mine, North Cascades National Park: Native Plant Germination, Growth and Survival in Response to Soil Amendment and Mulches. Master of Science Thesis, University of Washington College of Forest Resources.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 10/01/07
Outputs
Three areas of research were conducted during this period: (1) A final round of data was collected at the Goodell Creek gravel mine experimental restoration site in April 2007. This data was used to present a poster at the Society for Ecological Restoration International/Ecological Society of America conference in June and at the local SER Northwest/Society of Wetland Scientist conference in Yakima in September. The data collected demonstrated the divergence in canopy tree recruitment over 5 years due to the use of organic soil amendments in disturbed mineral soils. A journal paper will be written and published from this data. (2) Tree & groundcover germination response data was collected at the Environmental Learning Center low-impact restoration experiment for the second season. A report will be generated and the experiment will be closed out. Recommendations will be made for the further management of the experimental restoration sites. Initial data review indicate
using forest litter collected from campsites introduces more species diversity and yields greater germination for some native canopy and sub-canopy species. Bare soils tend to favor recruitment of deciduous riparian species such as red alder (Alnus rubra), paper birch (Betula papyfera) and black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera). (3) Sites for the study of regeneration niches for four riparian canopy species; western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), western red cedar (Thuja plicata), A. rubra, and P. balsamifera were surveyed along the Goodell, Colonial, and Thunder creek watersheds July through the end of the reporting period. Sites will be chosen for surveying and monitoring next growing season.
Impacts
No impacts as of yet. Soil samples and tree seedlings may be collected next year.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/05 to 10/01/06
Outputs
The focus of the research was broadened to include investigating the post-disturbance recovery of both anthropogenic and natural disturbance in the riparian forest zones of North Cascades watersheds. Summer 2006 was spent doing reconnaissance for potential research sites. The surface treatment experiment at the Environmental Learning Center was installed and monitored.
Impacts
none yet
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/04 to 10/01/05
Outputs
Throughout summer 2005 trails and campsites in the Ross Lake NRA were surveyed to observe and evaluate the levels and extent of disturbance in different vegetative associations. Construction at the Environmental Learning Center was completed and sites were established for understory restoration experiments. In November 2005 a bryophyte survey was completed in the relatively undisturbed forest adjacent to the restoration sites at the ELC. Results of the survey have yet to be compiled and await definitive identification of the mosses. Once completed the confirmed dominant bryophytes will be used in the restoration experiment. The ELC restoration experiment will be installed in spring 2006. In summer 2006 baseline soil and vegetative data will be collected from trials and campsites in addition to the installation to experimental plots and monitoring transects.
Impacts
Minor impact from the removal of small patches of moss for identification.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
A variety of anthropogenically disturbed sites throughout the Ross Lake NRA were brought into consideration for disturbance assessment and experimental restoration. Experimental research sites at the Environmental Learning Center have been secured and are awaiting the completion of construction activities to install experiment. Other sites (camp grounds, trails, view points, boat launches, etc.) have not been definitively identified. No assessment work has been done as of the CRIS report period however work is anticipated for spring/summer 2005.
Impacts
No impacts as of yet.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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