ClimatechangeadaptationsynthesisfortheSouthernCaliforniaClimateAdaptationProject. 1

SouthernCaliforniaEndemicHabitatsClimateChangeAdaptationSynthesis

IntroductionThefollowingsectionpresentsclimatechangeadaptationplanningresultsforendemichabitats(bothaquaticandterrestrial;includingserpentine,carbonate,gabbro,pebbleplains,claylens,wetlands,andfens).Theresultssummarizediscussionsandactivitiescompletedbyparticipantsduringatwo-dayadaptationworkshopaswellaspeer-reviewcommentsandrevisionsandrelevantexamplesfromtheliteratureorothersimilarefforts.1Wefirstpresentcurrentmanagementgoalsidentifiedbyparticipants.Thepurposeofidentifyingmanagementgoalsistoprovideafoundationforevaluatingwhetherandhowclimatechangemightaffecttheabilitytoachieveagivengoal,andtodevelopoptionsforreducingvulnerabilitiesthroughrevisedmanagementactivities.Foreachmanagementgoal,participantsidentifiedpotentialclimatechangevulnerabilities.Thisactivitywasfollowedbytheevaluationofcurrentmanagementactions,includingwhether,intheircurrentform,theycanhelptoreduceidentifiedvulnerabilitiesand/orhowtheycanbemodifiedtobetteraddressclimatechallenges.Followingtheevaluationofpotentialvulnerabilitiesofcurrentmanagementgoalsandactions,participantsexploredpotentialfuturemanagementgoalsandadaptationstrategiesandidentifiedmorespecificadaptationactionsdesignedtoreducevulnerabilitiesorincreaseresilienceofendemichabitats.Foreachadaptationaction,participantsthenevaluatedwhere,when,andhowtoimplementthoseactionsaswellascollaborationandcapacityneeds.Lastly,wepresentatablesummarizingalladaptationactionsdevelopedbyparticipantsaswellasadditionalactionsforconsiderationfromtheliteratureandfromothersimilarefforts.Adaptationactionsaregroupedaccordingtowhetherthey(1)enhanceresistance,(2)promoteresilience,(3)facilitatetransition,(4)increaseknowledge,or(5)engagecoordinationintermsofrespondingtoclimatechange.

DefiningTermsGoal:Adesiredresultforagivenresource.

Adaptationstrategy:Generalstatementsofhowtoreducevulnerabilitiesorincreaseresilienceofcurrentmanagementgoals.

Adaptationactions:Specificactivitiesthatfacilitateprogresstowardsachievinganadaptationstrategy.

CurrentManagementGoalsandPotentialVulnerabilitiesWorkshopparticipantsidentifiedonekeycurrentmanagementgoalforendemichabitats:

(1) Promotetherecoveryofthreatenedandendangeredplantandanimalspecies.

1Workshopparticipantsincluded:DavidAustin,USFS

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(2) PromotetheconservationofForestServicesensitivespeciesand/orCaliforniaStatelistedspeciesofspecialconcern.

(3) Improvebiologicaldiversity.Aspartoftheworkshopactivities,participantsidentifiedpotentialclimateandnon-climatevulnerabilitiestocurrentmanagementgoalsandactionsforendemichabitats.Vulnerabilitiesidentifiedincluded:

• Phenologymismatch• Drought–abilitytowaterrestorationplantingsand/orforspecies/habitatstorelocate• Shiftsinspeciesrange(elevationandlocation)• Vegetationtypechanges• Invasivespecies/competition• Habitatloss/disturbanceduetohumanrecreation/activitiesand/orfire

Inresponsetothesevulnerabilities,participantsthenevaluatedwhetherornotexistingmanagementactionsmaybeeffectiveinreducingvulnerability;identifiedwhat,ifany,climateandnon-climatevulnerabilitiestheactionhelpsreduce;andevaluatedthefeasibilityofactionimplementation.Givenactioneffectivenessandfeasibility,participantsthenevaluatedwhetherornottocontinueimplementationoftheaction.Forthoseactionsrecommendedforcontinuedimplementation,participantsthenidentifiedbothhowandwheretoimplement.

Terminology

Actioneffectiveness:Identifytheeffectivenessoftheactioninreducingvulnerability.High:actionisverylikelytoreducevulnerabilityandmaybenefitadditionalgoalsorhabitats;Moderate:actionhasmoderatepotentialtoreducevulnerability,withsomelimitstoeffectiveness;orLow:actionisunlikelytoreducevulnerability.

Actionfeasibility:Identifyfeasibilityofimplementingtheaction.High:therearenoobviousbarriersandithasahighlikelihoodofbeingimplemented;Moderate:itmaybepossibletoimplementtheaction,althoughtheremaybechallengesorbarriers;orLow:thereareobviousand/orsignificantbarrierstoimplementationthatmaybedifficulttoovercome.

Howtoimplement:Identifyhowtoapplythisactiongivenvulnerabilities.Forexample,considerplantingnativespeciesthatcancopewitharangeoffutureconditionsorthosebestadaptedtoprojectedfutureconditions.

Wheretoimplement:Identifythemanagement,ecological,orsiteconditionswheretheactioncouldbemostappropriatelyimplemented.Forexample,isitbesttoimplementinareaswithhighsoilmoistureholdingcapacity,areasprojectedtolosethemostwatersupply,post-fireareas,highlyroadedareas,etc.?

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Table1belowexplorescurrentmanagementgoalsandactions,potentialvulnerabilities,andwaystorevisecurrentactionstoreducevulnerabilitiesforendemichabitats.Thetableisstructuredtoprovide:

1. Acurrentmanagementgoal;2. Potentialclimateandnon-climatevulnerabilitiesthataffectthesuccessofachievingthe

managementgoal;3. Multiplecurrentmanagementactions;4. Anevaluationofactioneffectiveness,feasibility,andpotentialvulnerabilitiesthatthe

maybereducedbyactionimplementation;and5. Adescriptionofwhereandhowtoimplementtheactiongivenclimatevulnerabilities

andwhetherornotimplementationoftheactionmayhaveindirecteffectsonotherresources,eitherpositiveornegative.

RevisedManagementActionsThefollowinglistdescribestrendsandcommonalitiesamongsttheclimate-informedcurrentmanagementactionsdiscussedbyparticipantsinTable1.

• Habitatmaintenance(includingincreasinghabitatsuitabilitythroughrestorationorenhancement)wasidentifiedasakeyactionforpromotingtherecoveryofsensitive,threatenedorendangeredendemicplantandanimalspecies.

• Amajorityofidentifiedactionsfallundertheenhanceresistanceadaptationcategory(e.g.,habitatmaintenance);however,participantsalsoidentifiedoneactionthatfacilitatesresponsetoclimatechangeimpacts(i.e.,speciesreintroduction/relocation).

• Participantssuggestedprioritizingcriticalhabitatareasforactionimplementationfollowedbyotherbiologicallyimportantareas,andhighlightedthatactionsidentifiedinthisreportcouldbeimplementedinconcertwithhazardousfuelsreduction,vegetationmanagement,andwatershedrestorationtreatments.

• Actionimplementationopportunitiesandsuccessmaybelimitedbyavarietyoffactors,including:recentwildlandfireinthearearesultinginreducedhabitatquality,highsitespecificityofendemicspecies(e.g.,soiltypeandmoisturerequirements),lackofbroodstockorseedsource,costsofrearingfacilities,regulatoryrequirementsbyregionalofficeorotheragency,permittingprocesses,andpotentialdiseasevulnerabilities.

• Alloftheidentifiedactions(ifsuccessfullyimplemented)mayreducerequiredForestServicemaintenanceofendemicspecieshabitats;however,theseactionsarelikelytorestricthumanaccessandotheruses.

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Table1.Currentmanagementgoals,potentialvulnerabilities,andcurrentmanagementactionsforendemichabitats.Foreachcurrentmanagementactionparticipantsevaluateditseffectiveness(likelytoreduceclimatevulnerability)andfeasibility(likelihoodofimplementation),andidentifiedclimaticandnon-climaticstressorstheactioncouldhelptoamelioratetheeffectsof.Givenactioneffectivenessandfeasibility,participantsthenevaluatedwhetherornottheactionshouldcontinuetobeimplemented.Iftheactionwasrecommendedforcontinuedimplementation,participantsdetailedanychangesregardingwhereandhowtoimplementgivenclimatevulnerabilities.Lastly,participantsevaluatedwhethertherewerepotentialconflictswithorbenefitstootherresourcesfromactionimplementation.

CurrentManagementGoal:Promotetherecoveryofthreatenedandendangeredplantandanimalspecies;PromotetheconservationofForestServicesensitivespeciesand/orCaliforniaStatelistedspeciesofspecialconcern;ImprovebiologicaldiversityPotentialvulnerabilities:• Phenologymismatch• Drought–abilitytowaterrestorationplantingsand/orforspecies/habitatstorelocate• Shiftsinspeciesrange(elevationandlocation)• Vegetationtypechanges• Invasivespecies/competition• Habitatloss/disturbanceduetohumanrecreation/activitiesand/orfire

CurrentManagement

ActionCurrent

EffectivenessCurrent

Feasibility

DoesActionAmeliorate

EffectsofAnyVulnerabilities

?

ContinuetoImplementActionGiven

ClimateVulnerabilities?

Where/HowtoImplementGivenClimateVulnerabilities OtherResourceConsiderations

Increasehabitatsuitabilitythroughhabitatenhancement

Moderate-High

High Yes–increaseshabitat

availability,quality,anddiversity;increases

waterquality;removesbarriersto

dispersal;andincreaseshuman

experience

Yes–ifworking Where:Prioritizecriticalhabitatfirst,thenbiologicallyimportantsites.Maynotbeabletoimplementduetorecentwildlandfire,lackofwaterorseedsource,lackofbroodstock,orspeciesdiseasevulnerability.How:Integratewithvegetation/fueltreatmentsandwatershedrestorationprojects;growstock/keeponreserve;removeinvasives

Otherresourcesactionbenefits:Benefitshabitatdiversityforallspecies;facilitatestrend/movetowardslesshabitatmaintenanceOtherresourceswithpotentialconflicts:Fuelsmanagement,grazingpractices(mayrequirechanges),road/trailmaintenanceactivities,developedrecreationalfacilities,humanaccess/use(mayberestricted),specialusepermits,miningoperations,transportationandutilitycorridors

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Restorehabitats High High Yes–increaseshabitatsize,

availability,andconnectivity;increases

potentialforspecies

dispersal;andincreasesviewing

opportunities

Yes–ifsuccessfulinprioryears

Where:Prioritizecriticalhabitatfirst,thenbiologicallyimportantsites.Alsoimplementinlandacquisitionandconservationareas.Maynotbeabletoimplementduetolackofwaterorseedsource,lackofbroodstock,orspeciesdiseasevulnerability.How:Integratewithvegetation/fueltreatmentsandwatershedrestorationprojects;growstock/keeponreserve;removeinvasives;adjustareas/prioritize;buildpartnerships

Otherresourcesactionbenefits:Benefitshabitatdiversityforallspecies;facilitatestrend/movetowardslesshabitatmaintenance,increasedhumanviewing,increasedriparian/aquatichabitat,andincreasedwaterqualityOtherresourceswithpotentialconflicts:Recreationusersandfacilities(restrictedaccess/use),specialusepermits,grazing,miningoperations,transportationandutilitycorridors

Reintroduce/relocateendemicplants/animals

Low(short-term)

High(long-term)

Low–High–processtakes

longer;dependsonavailabilityofsourceandspecies

survivability;requiresregional

officereviewand

approval;involvesmore

coordinationwithUSFWSandCDFWpermitted

personnelto

No–intensiveandexpensive

Depends–success

dependentonavailabilityof

broodstock/young,

suitableconditionsforreintroduction/relocation,habitat

availability,timingofrelease,adequate

captivebreedingandnurseryfacilities,

conflictwithother

Where:Augmentlowestpopulationsfirstorsitesincriticalpartofrange.Maynotbeabletoimplementduetolackofwaterorseedsource,lackofbroodstock,orspeciesdiseasevulnerability.How:Integratewithvegetation/fueltreatments-waitforidealconditionstobesuccessful;alternativegrow/holdfacilitymaybeneeded

Otherresourcesactionbenefits:Trendtowarddelisting;lessfuturerestrictionsOtherresourceswithpotentialconflicts:Recreationuse,specialusepermits,economics(costly),facilitiestoraise/holdmaynotbeavailable,restrictedaccess/use,permittingproceduresofexternalagencies,availabilityofpermittedpersonneltohandlespecies

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handlefederallyor

stateprotectedspecies

managementactions,

permittingprocess

requirementsofotheragencies

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FutureManagementGoalsandAdaptationActionsWorkshopparticipantsdidnotidentifyorevaluatefuturemanagementgoalsoradaptationactionsforendemichabitats.

AdditionalAdaptationActionsforConsiderationTable2summarizesalloftheadaptationactionsgeneratedbyworkshopparticipantsforendemichabitatsandincludesadditionalactionsforconsideration;additionalactionscomprisethosefromtheliteratureaswellasthoseidentifiedbylandandresourcemanagersduringotherworkshops.Thesestrategiesandactionsaregroupedaccordingtooneoffivecategories:

1. EnhanceResistance.Implementationofthesestrategiescanhelptopreventtheeffectsofclimatechangefromreachingoraffectingaresource.Onecommontypeofresistanceactionsarethosedesignedtoreducenon-climatestressors.

2. PromoteResilience.Thesestrategiescanhelparesourceweathertheimpactsofclimatechangebyavoidingtheeffectsoforrecoveringfromchanges.

3. FacilitateTransition(orResponse).Transitionorresponsestrategiesintentionallyaccommodatechangeandenableresourcestoadaptivelyrespondtochangingandnewconditions.

4. IncreaseKnowledge.Thesestrategiesareaimedatgatheringmoreinformationaboutclimatechanges,impacts,and/ortheeffectivenessofmanagementactionsinaddressingthechallengesofclimatechange.

5. EngageCoordination.Coordinationstrategiesmayhelpalignbudgetsandprioritiesforprogramofworkacrosslandsorestablishorexpandcollaborativemonitoringeffortsorprojects,amongothers.

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Table2.Summaryofadaptationgoalsandactionsforendemichabitats,groupedbycategory(enhanceresistance,promoteresilience,facilitatetransition,increaseknowledge,andengagecoordination).Adaptationgoalsandactionsincludethosegeneratedbyworkshopparticipantsforendemichabitats,aswellasadditionalactionsidentifiedfromtheliteratureandbylandandresourcemanagersduringotherworkshops.

ENDEMICHABITATS

Category AdaptationGoal AdaptationAction

Enhanceresistance

Promotetherecoveryofthreatenedorendangeredplantandanimalspecies

• Enhancehabitatsuitabilityforplantand/orwildlifespeciesthroughactionssuchasrestoringnaturaldisturbanceregimes,removingpotentialbarrierstodispersal,andimprovingwaterquality

• Restoredegradedendemichabitatstoincreasetheamount/qualityofavailablehabitatandimprovefunctionaldiversity

• Minimizenon-climatestressors(e.g.,manageroad,trailandrecreationimpacts)

PromotetheconservationofForestServicesensitivespeciesand/orCaliforniaStatelistedspeciesofspecialconcern

Improvebiologicaldiversity

Preventlossofrelictpopulations • Increaseseedcollectionandseedbanks(exsitu)

Limitandchangeurbandevelopmentpatternstoreducehabitatfragmentation

• Rezone,change,orsupplementlandmanagementplansorzoningplans• Createamoratoriumondevelopinginundisturbedareas,focusing

developmentinpreviouslydevelopedand/orabandonedareas

Increaseinvasivespeciescontroleffortsandpreventinvasivespeciesestablishment

• Implementearlydetection/rapidresponseforexoticspeciestreatment• Requireandenforcetheuseofinvasivespeciespreventionstrategiesin

allprojects• Inventoryregularlytodetectnewinvasivepopulationsandspecies

Promoteresilience

Maintainand/orincreasehabitatresilience• Managetreeandshrubencroachment• Identifythreatsandrestorehabitatswithspeciesthatareresilientto

thosethreats

Identifypotentialresilienceofdifferentlocations • Identifyandprotectintactorproductivecommunitiesofnativespecies• Activelyrestorelessresilientsites

Mitigateconsequencesoflargedisturbancesbyplanningahead

• Developageneconservationplanforexsitucollectionsforlong-termstorage

Facilitatetransition Promotetherecoveryofthreatenedorendangeredplantandanimalspecies • Reintroduce/relocateplantsandanimals

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PromotetheconservationofForestServicesensitivespeciesand/orCaliforniaStatelistedspeciesofspecialconcern

Identifyandprotectrefugia• Identifycurrentandfuturerefugiawhererelictplantscouldbe

established• Designateconservationeasements

Increaseknowledge

Improveunderstandingofeffectsofclimaticvariabilityandchangeonvariousendemiccommunities

• Installplotstomeasurespeciesdistribution,abundance,andphysiologicalresponse

• Identifyspeciesandgenotypesmostresilienttochange• Collaboratewithotheragenciesandentitiestomonitorendemicspecies• Usemonitoringinformationinimplementationofadaptivemanagement

Increaseknowledgeofpatterns,characteristics,andratesofchangeinspeciesdistributions

• Expandlong-termmonitoringprograms• Usemonitoringinformationinimplementationofadaptivemanagement

Increaseknowledgeofmanagementimpactsonendemic,threatenedorendangeredspeciespersistence2

• Designandimplementamonitoringsystemtoevaluatemanagementeffectivenessandimpacts

• Usemonitoringinformationinimplementationofadaptivemanagement

Engagecoordination

Limitandchangeurbandevelopmentpatternstoreducehabitatfragmentation

• Conducteducationandoutreachwithpublic,citymanagers,andlandmanagerstoprotectendemicrefugia

Workacrossjurisdictions

• Coordinateinvasivespeciesmanagement,funding,andsupportbetweenagencies

• Communicateaboutprojectsandcoordinateon-the-groundactivities(e.g.,workwithadjacentcommunitiesandcountiestointegrateandlinkconservationeasementsandconservationplanstoprotectexistingendemiccommunitiesandpotentialfuturerefugia3)

• Alignbudgetsandprogramofworkprioritieswithadjacentlands

2Runge,M.C.(2011).Anintroductiontoadaptivemanagementforthreatenedandendangeredspecies.JournalofFishandWildlifeManagement,2(2),220-233.3Parker,S.(2012).Smallreservescansuccessfullypreserverareplantsdespitemanagementchallenges.NaturalAreasJournal,32(4),403-411.