7. PRSR 04-11-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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It is recommended that two permanent points be established within the forest and marked with a metal post. These posts would serve as fixed points from which photos would be taken on an annual basis. The photos should be taken in the same direction from the post, with the same camera if possible, and within a week or two of each other each year. This type of monitoring provides a way to track the presence of brush and the changes in character of the area from year to year. Although not quantitative in nature, photomonitoring can help resource managers understand the outcomes of certain management techniques and provide input for adjusting those techniques. Problem species monitoring Although it is largely impractical to carry out quantitative monitoring of changes in nonnative species levels, it is practical to make a yearly walk-through assessment of the site to determine if additional treatment of nonnatives is warranted. This should include a site visit by an ecologist at least once a year, at approximately the same time. Observational notes should be made on whether there was an increase, decrease or no change in the overall population for a problem species, as well as whether treatment is warranted in the coming year. Oak Recruitment and Oak Wilt Monitoring One of the goals for the long-term management of the forest is to maintain an oak component in the canopy. Certain activities such as nonnative brush removal, select tree release, and prescribed fire will improve the chance of recruiting new trees and maintaining mature oaks here. To determine whether or not these management activities are having the desired outcome, some type of "rough count" of oak seedlings/saplings should be conducted every few years. This could be accomplished by several means. One could be the counting of oak seedlings (less than 1"diameter) and oak saplings (1-6" diameter) in an approximately 50 foot radius of permanent photomonitoring points, or other fixed points. Another potential method would be to start at a fixed location on one side of the forest, and using a compass, walk a path in a set direction, counting the number of seedlings and saplings encountered within a set distance from the path walked. This transect could cover a set distance or traverse the entire length of the forest. As mentioned earlier in this plan, when monitoring the site, a specific effort should be made to annually inspect for the presence of oak wilt. As with other stages of the restoration process, monitoring should be carried out on a regular basis to provide for determining resource management effectiveness. Also important will be monitoring for excessive human disturbance such as off-trail erosion, tree cutting, dumping, etc. Please see Monitoring Section for additional details regarding this subject. Record Keeping It is highly recommended that records of management activities be kept. Hard copy and/or electronic records will allow current and future managers to learn from past Top of the World Park Addition Natural Area Management Plan 75