|
|
|
Research at Elkhorn Slough, CA
|
|
 |
|
The following are the major questions that Elkhorn Slough Reserve scientists are currently addressing through long-term monitoring and short-term applied research. These represent questions whose answers are critically needed for improving Elkhorn Slough area conservation, and which lend themselves to the expertise and resources of the Reserve.
Estuarine Habitats
- How is are the extent and distribution of wetland habitats changing over time?
- What are the major causes of salt marsh degradation in non-diked areas?
- What range of environmental conditions were typical at the Slough over the past 5,000 years?
- How would key ecological indicators respond to different large-scale management strategies?
- What are the spatial and temporal dynamics of estuarine water quality?
- Which Slough wetlands exhibit indications of eutrophication, and what factors correlate with this expression of eutrophication?
- What are spatial and temporal trends of waterbird use of Elkhorn Slough area habitats?
- How is habitat use by breeding egrets, herons, and cormorants changing over time?
- How are mudflat communities near the mouth changing over time?
- How are crab communities in the estuary changing over time?
- What conditions favor native oyster beds in Elkhorn Slough?
- What are the threats to native marsh-upland ecotone diversity?
- What strategies can most effectively restore native high salt marsh plant diversity?
- What are the ecological consequences of eutrophication and poor water quality?
- What are appropriate educational programs to effect beneficial changes in policy and management that will benefit the health and sustainability of the Elkhorn Slough?
Freshwater and Riparian Habitats
- What restoration strategies can support a habitat corridor for Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamanders and California Red-legged Frogs in the eastern Elkhorn Slough watershed?
- What habitats are rare amphibians using, and what are the key threats to them in the watershed?
- How are patterns of amphibian and reptile usage of Reserve ponds changing over time?
- What are appropriate educational programs to effect beneficial changes in policy and management that will benefit the sensitive amphibians and reptiles on California’ central coast?
Coastal Prairie
- What strategies are most effective for enhancing native prairie assemblages on the Reserve?
- How does arthropod community composition differ in native vs. non-native vegetation?
- What are appropriate educational programs to effect beneficial changes in policy and management that will benefit coastal prairie on California’s central coast?
Maritime Chaparral
- How can we restore degraded maritime chaparral in the watershed?
- What are appropriate educational programs to effect beneficial changes in policy and management that will benefit maritime chaparral on California’s central coast?
Coast Live Oak
- What are the long-term trends in cavity nesters?
- How does community composition of coast live oak differ from blue gum woodlands ?
- What are appropriate educational programs to effect beneficial changes in policy and management that will benefit coast live oak woodland on California’s central coast?
- How does cattle crazing affect plant cover and composition in coast live oak understory?
Last Updated on: Friday, October 30, 2009
|
|
