Jean Pan, Protocol Lead, MOJN I&M Ecologist Donovan Craig, UNLV Invasives Cooperator Dana Robinson, MOJN I&M GIS Specialist Debbie Soukup, UNLV Soils Cooperator Leigh Ann Starcevich, Statistics Cooperator Nita Tallent, MOJN I&M Program Manager Bob Truitt, MOJN I&M Data Manager Integrated Uplands Protocol Progress 03/27/2012

 7 vital signs  Vegetation ◦ Upland shrub communities  Soils  Invasive species – Status & Trend ◦ Invasive species that are established, NOT still in the establishing phase ◦ Prioritized list of target species 2

3 Protocol Development Field Implementation PDS Sampling Plan Draft Narrative Draft SOPs Draft Submitted Draft Re-Submitted Protocol Approved Methods Selected Methods Field-Tested Pilot Data Acquired Full Field Season Data in Database Annual Report

4 Protocol Development Field Implementation PDS Sampling Plan Draft Narrative Draft SOPs Draft Submitted Draft Re-Submitted Protocol Approved Methods Selected Methods Field-Tested Pilot Data Acquired Full Field Season Data in Database Annual Report

ParkCommunitySpatial dataset from (year): Elevation (in feet)Acres DEVACreosote-mixed shrublandCentral Mojave Vegetation Map (2004) ,143 GRBASagebrush shrub steppeProvisional vegetation map (2011) 5300 – 11200*3,305** JOTRJoshua tree wooded allianceVegetation map (2010) 3200 – 4500*40,258** LAKECreosote-bursageLandfire (2006)1500 – ,419 MANZRabbitbrush-saltbrush shrub transition zone Vegetation map (2010) 3800 – 3900*181** MOJAJoshua tree wooded scrubland Central Mojave Vegetation Map (2004) 2600 – 6300*327,448 PARASagebrush shrub steppeAZ strip dataset (2007) ,806 5 *The elevation range here represents the selected elevation range for which the shrub community was specifically selected. **Acreage estimate is after parcels smaller than a macroplot (1 ha) were eliminated from the spatial distribution.

 35 macroplots ◦ Spatially- balanced  Vegetation  Soils  Invasive s ◦ Quadrat ◦ Patterned walk 6 9* 8* 7* 10* 11*12* 1* 2* 3* 6* 5*4*

 PWR external reviews received (3/28/12) ◦ Spring, protocol reconciliation & approval  Data Management/GIS ◦ Designed field forms, foundations of DB ◦ Developing SQL database, electronic field data entry system ◦ Veg. layers compiled for inference populations 7

 Spring, pilot implementation  Objectives ◦ Accuracy of park vegetation maps  Are the selected sites part of the target vegetation community? ◦ Logistics  Time to establish & measure macroplots  Necessary field equipment ◦ Field methods  Can the methods be implemented (e.g. will the methods work at each park?)  Are the SOPs clear?  How can the methods be improved? 8

 7 parks – 2 to 5 macroplots  Field sites selected – GRTS  Research permits issued – 5 parks  field sites close to roads  LAKE 9

 Mar : LAKE  Apr. 2-20: DEVA  Apr. 23-May 11: JOTR  May 14-25: MOJA  May 28-June 1: LAKE  June 4-8: MOJA  June 11-29: PARA  July 9-27: GRBA  July 30-Aug. 3: MANZ 10

 Spring, 2012 ◦ Field crew lead – Michael Brewer  Crew safety, logistics  Backcountry travel plans, communications ◦ SCA crew recruited (2/27/12)  4 members  training ◦ Botanist contractor 11

 Safety training ◦ 1 st aid/wilderness 1 st aid, 4WD, Operational Leadership  Orienteering ◦ Map/compass, GPS  Data management  Field training ◦ Site characterization, macroplot set-up, point-intercept, basal-canopy gaps, invasive quadrats, invasives site assessment, repeat photos, unknown plants ◦ Soils (contractor: Debbie Soukup) 12

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 LAKE 14

 Complete pilot – summer, 2012 ◦ DEVA – Apr. 3  1 st year implementation – fall, 2012, or

 Alice Chung-MacCoubrey, Scott Newbold, & Burt Pendleton for providing the ground work for this protocol  Vegetation Working Group (Jane Cipra, DEVA; Ben Roberts, GRBA; Josh Hoines, JOTR; Alice Newton, LAKE; Les Inafuku, MANZ; Neal Darby, MOJA; Jennifer Fox, PARA) for comments on the protocol, park logistics, field sites, and park permitting. ◦ Quarterly conference calls 16

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