Developing management strategies for an invasive species
CBI is implementing a science-based approach to developing treatment and restoration strategies for the emerging invasive grass, Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium), on conserved lands in southern San Diego County, CA. Management is focused on the Crestridge Ecological Reserve, which is owned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and managed by the Endangered Species Conservancy (EHC), and South Crest, which is owned and managed by EHC. Brachypodium affects four sensitive plants (Acanthomintha ilicifolia, Nolina interrata, Dudleya variegata, Tetracoccus dioicus) and two sensitive habitats (native grassland, coastal sage scrub) on these preserves. Project elements include development of models to inform experimentally-based treatment and restoration strategies; treatment and restoration plan implementation; site protection, and volunteer participation in restoration activities.
CBI is coordinating with a number of partners on this project, including the City of San Diego, the U.S. Geological Survey and San Diego Management and Monitoring Program, the Institute for Ecological Management and Monitoring (IEMM) at San Diego State University, and the Earth Discovery Institute.
