Dynamics of native desert shrubs at restoration plots in the southern San Joaquin Valley, California

Abstract

My study relied on data accumulated over multiple recent years for shrub restoration at Wind Wolves Preserve, a 37,635 ha nature preserve located in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, California. Shrub species selected for the restoration project focused on creating habitat for threatened and endangered species such as San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), Western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugea), and blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila). Monitoring data from 541 individual plants across 8 different species and different height classes were examined for survival after the initial planting date. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the relationship to survival and individual shrub species and their heights at planting. Results indicate that certain shrub species survived more frequently than others (p < 0.0001). Plants also varied by height at the original planting date (p = 0.001); however, plant height did not significantly affect dead or alive status (p = 0.76). The results of this study have implications for management decisions for San Joaquin Valley shrub restoration on retired agricultural lands suitable for threatened and endangered species habitat restoration. Future studies might examine more closely the significance of planting date, and the use of other restoration techniques, such as inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.