Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus Armeniacus) Survey

PROBLEM SPECIES

Methods

Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) Survey

Beginning on the south side of Copeland Creek at the border between Sonoma State University and Rancho Cotate High School, create a GPS point and record it as S1, continue eastward until Himalayan blackberry cover changes or the area becomes too large to visually assess; create another GPS point as S2. Measure the distance between the two points, and record it. Categorize the percent cover of Himalayan blackberry within the area from the two points to the creek bank into one of 6 categories: trace (>5%), 5%-24%, 25%-49%, 50%-74%, 75%-94% and 95%-100%. Repeat this procedure eastward to Petaluma Hill road and then use the same method to describe the north side of the creek. Generate a map of the GPS points and create polygons to represent each area, color-coded to indicate category of estimated percent cover of Himalayan blackberry.

Other Invasive Plants

While performing the Himalayan blackberry survey, record the locations of any other invasive plant species by described area. Record the location, size, number of individuals and any other information that may be useful for future identification, if possible identify to species. Special attention should be given to tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), maytens tree (Maytenus boaria), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and wild plum (Prunusspp.). Add this information to the map generated by the Himalayan blackberry survey.

Feral Cats

Set a minimum of one camera trap per creek zone for at least one 72-hour observational period per year – additional observation periods spaced at least one week apart will increase accuracy of population estimates. At the end of each observational period, download the data to multiple locations, marking each folder of photos by zone and date. Carefully review each photograph and record all photo sightings of cats onto the Feral Cat Data Sheet. Identify individual cats in photographs and construct capture history for each individual. If multiple observation periods are completed, population abundance can be estimated by Poisson log-normal mark–resight model, with the first sampling session treated as the initial “marking” period, and subsequent sampling sessions used to “resight.” (Alonso et al 2015; Elizondo & Loss 2016)

LITERATURE CITED

Alonso RS et al. (2015) Mark-recapture and mark-resight methods for estimating abundance with remote cameras: A carnivore case study. PLoS ONE 10

Elizondo EC, Loss SR (2016) Using trail cameras to estimate free-ranging domestic cat abundance in urban areas.Wildlife Biology 22: 246–252

Results

Himalayan Blackberry and other problem plants

Figure 1 Zone 1 Himalayan Blackberry Cover and Invasive Plant Species. High Density (Red) 75%-100%. Medium Density (Yellow) 25%-74%. Low Density (Green,) Trace-24%.

Figure 2 Zone 2 Himalayan Blackberry Cover and Invasive Plant Species. High Density (Red) 75%-100%. Medium Density (Yellow) 25%-74%. Low Density (Green,) Trace-24%

Figure 3 Zone 3 Himalayan Blackberry Cover and Invasive Plant Species. High Density (Red) 75%-100%. Medium Density (Yellow) 25%-74%. Low Density (Green,) Trace-24%

Figure 4 Zone 4 Himalayan Blackberry Cover and Invasive Plant Species. High Density (Red) 75%-100%. Medium Density (Yellow) 25%-74%. Low Density (Green,) Trace-24%

Feral cats

A total of two feral cat individuals were sighted in the 72 hour observation period from 11/11/16 to 11/15/16, one in zone 2 and one in zone 3 of Copeland Creek. Each individual was captured in two camera trigger events, sometimes appearing in multiple photographs per trigger event and sometimes appearing in only one photograph.

Copeland Creek Monitoring Plan:

Problem Species Assessment

Objective:

Assess the presence and abundance of diverse exotic and pest taxa in the campus reach of Copeland Creek, including Himalayan blackberry, ornamental trees, and feral cats.

Learning objectives:

Practice field observation techniques associated with invasive exotic plant species and feral cat populations. Learn methods of data analysis and presentation associated with these field methods.

Background:

Himalayan blackberry is a notorious invasive shrub with significant tendencies toward outcompeting native plants. While it can provide habitat structure and bank stability, its growth habits can result in a monoculture, particularly in riparian corridors. Additionally, ornamental trees planted on campus have been observed to demonstrate invasive tendencies in Copeland Creek, with similar threats toward biodiversity and native plant communities. Feral cats are a particularly threatening species, as they can be voracious predators of birds, amphibians, and reptiles in this urban creek habitat. Populations of these taxa need to be monitored as efforts to humanely reduce their abundance progress in order to assess success of the restoration project.

Lab Protocol:

Equipment needed

Plant taxa

GPS unit or Smartphone

Data Sheets /Writing Utensil/ Clipboard

Transect Tape measure

Plant Identification Guide (Jepson or Sibley)

Feral cats

Camera traps, with associated remotes (4+)

Metal camera trap boxes (4+)

SD memory cards (4+)

Vinyl straps (4+)

Heavy chains, 3-4’ (4+)

Key locks (4+)

SD card reader (1)

White board (1)

White board marker (1)

GPS device or Smartphone

Methods for Plant Taxa

1)Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus)

a)Begin from the westernmost point on south side of Copeland Creek on campus. Mark this as point S1.

b)Walk until Himalayan Blackberry cover changes, or the area is too large to be assessed easily, mark this point as S2

c)Measure the distance between the two points using the transect tape measure

d)Estimate Blackberry cover from the path to the bank into one of six Himalayan Blackberry cover percent categories, trace (>5%), 5%-24%, 25%-49%, 50%-74%, 75%-94% and 95%-100%.

e)Record this on the data sheet

f)Continue this procedure until you reach Petaluma Hill Road

g)Begin this procedure on the North side of the creek at Petaluma Hill road as point N1, etc

2)Other Invasive Species Identification Procedure.

a)While doing the above procedure, mark the locations of any invasive species on the data sheets

b)Provide a brief description of location, size, number of individuals seen, anything to help future identification

c)Special attention should be given to Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Maytens Tree (Maytenus boaria), Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and Wild Plum (Prunus spp.)

Methods for Feral Cats

1)Site selection:

a)Select at least one location per zone (i.e. 4 minimum) to install camera traps. Ideal locations will photograph an area with signs of use by wildlife (game trail, scat). Include a minimum amount of foliage that will move in the wind, and face north or south to avoid triggers from sunlight.

b)Record the exact GPS location of each camera trap location and enter this data into the “Camera locations” tab of the Feral Cat sightings spreadsheet.

2)Set camera traps

a)At each site, attach camera trap box securely to a permanent structure using a vinyl strap and a heavy, locked chain.

b)Use hedge clippers to trim back any foliage in the line of camera site, with particular attention to grasses.

c)At the beginning of the observational period, set each camera’s time and date, and set the cameras to take three photographs per trigger event with a delay of 10 seconds.

d)Switch on the camera.

e)Mark a small whiteboard with the time, date, and zone and pose in the camera’s line of sight to establish time and date accuracy – this is also a good chance to visually double check the positioning of the camera.

f)Temporarily switch the camera off and confirm that a set of 3 photos were taken to verify that it can be successfully triggered, then turn the camera back on.

3)Check data collection:

a)Approximately halfway through the observational period, check the number of photos taken by each camera by temporarily switching them off and plugging in the remote to view the number of photographs taken.

b)Assess whether each memory card is filling too quickly (memory card significantly more than half full). If it appears to be filling too quickly, download the data and reset the camera. If a reasonable amount of space is left on the card, switch the camera back on as is.

Analysis

Plant Taxa

1)From GPS points to Google Earth Pro

a)If using a GPS unit, import GPS coordinates from unit into Google Earth Pro as .kml or .kmz

b)If using a smart phone and Google Maps, points saved on the phone are stored at on a synced browser. These points can be exported as a .kml file using

2)Google Earth Pro

a)Create a polygon (add>polygon) using the gps points as corners and the other two corners on the bank parallel to those points

b)Color-code each polygon as Low (Green, Trace-24%), Medium (Yellow, 25%-74%), and High (Red, 75%-100%)

c)Drop pins (add>placemark) in each area for each invasive species, color coding the pins.

d)(File>Save>Save Image) Allows you to save the maps and create a legend.

Feral Cats

1)Download the data

a)After 72 hours of data collection, remove the camera trap, metal box, vinyl strap, chain, and lock from the field.

b)Remove the SD card from each camera and download the data to multiple locations, marking each folder of photos by zone and date.

c)Carefully review each photograph and record all photo sightings of cats onto the Feral Cat Data Sheet.

d)For each three-photograph sighting in which a cat is identifiable, make an entry into the “Individual Sightings” tab of the Feral Cat sightings spreadsheet.

e)Create new entries in the “Individual ID” tab as each new individual is determined – take care to thoroughly review the descriptions and associated photographs of previously sighted cats before creating new IDs.

f)At the end of each year’s observations, compile total annual sightings and individuals into the “Total sightings by year” tab of the Feral Cat sightings spreadsheet.

Copeland Creek Invasive Plant Estimate ZonesDate: Observer(s):

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Copeland Creek Feral Cat Camera Trap Survey ReviewDate of review:Observer(s):

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