First
Progress Report
July 1986–Dec 1987
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Cooperative Extension
February 1988
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PROGRAM STRATEGY
IHRMP Mission Statement
“To maintain and where possible and desirable to increase the acreage of California’s ‘Hardwood Rangeland Resource’ to provide a diversity of livestock, wood, and agricultural products; high quality water supplies; wildlife habitat; recreational opportunities; and aesthetic values.”
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The University of California, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the California Department of Fish and Game have jointly entered into a long-term program of research and education aimed at the management, enhancement, and protection of the State’s hardwood range resources. The mission of the IHRMP is:
To maintain and where possible and desirable to increase the acreage of Californi’'s "Hardwood Rangeland Resources" to provide a diversity of livestock, wood, and agricultural products; high quality water supplies; wildlife habitat; recreational opportunities; and aesthetic values.
Within this framework, UC’s program has four major goals: 1) improving oak regeneration, 2) maintaining wildlife habitat diversity, 3) showing the consequences of hardwood rangeland conversion to intensive agriculture or residential development, and 4) developing feasible alternative management strategies for hardwood rangelands. A fifth goal for the program involves monitoring the status, condition, and use of hardwood rangelands, and is mainly the responsibility of CDF. The text following describes the strategies to be used in reaching these major goals over the next 5-10 years.
IMPROVEMENT OF OAK REGENERATION
Blue oak seedling.
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Deer are heavily dependent upon oak trees for both food and cover.
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Statement of Problem
Preliminary information indicates that at least three species of oak (blue, valley, and Engelmann) may not be regenerating adequately in certain areas of the State. In some cases, young seedlings may be plentiful but they are not capable of developing into saplings.
Proposed Strategies to Address the Problem
Research Efforts: Fund formal projects which examine ways to enhance natural and artificial methods of regenerating critical oak species. With CDF funds, initiate an assessment study of oak regeneration that details specific problem areas requiring further study.
Examples of Educational Activities and Audiences: Set up a series of demonstrations to show ranchers, land managers, and concerned citizens effective ways to enhance and protect existing oak sprouts and seedlings to ensure the sustainability of the resource. Focus public attention on oak planting activities by working closely with environmental and community organizations. An expanded educational effort needs to be developed quickly in both urban and rural areas which encourages groups of all ages to plant and maintain oaks. Work with 4-H where appropriate. Revise and promote the UC publication Planting Your Own Oak Tree.
Assessment Methods
Survey ranchers and other clientele involved in our educational programs to determine their interest level in using the demonstrated seedling-protection techniques. Disseminate information on the increase in number of oak trees or acres planted as a result of involving outside groups with new planting programs. Survey local communities before and after events to determine whether their efforts made a significant difference in public awareness.
Current Status
The University has established a number of field research and demonstration areas investigating ways to improve artificial and natural regeneration. Two of the regional Natural Resources Specialists are foresters with regeneration experience. Another regional Specialist is a wildlife biologist having pest management experience. They will lead in the coordination of educational and research efforts to improve oak regeneration.
MAINTENANCE OF WILDLIFE HABITAT DIVERSITY
Acorn woodpeckers make cavities for storing acorns to provide a dependable food supply.
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Statement of Problem
Hardwood habitats house more wildlife species than any other vegetation type in California. At least 331 vertebrates breed in this richly diverse and complex environment; at least 32 species of birds and 39 species of mammals feed regularly on acorns. Public concern has focused on the need to discourage those hardwood harvesting practices which may have a potential for adverse impacts on wildlife-habitat diversity.
Proposed Strategies to Address the Problem
Research Efforts: Fund studies which analyze the interrelationships that exist between wildlife species and the hardwood range habitat.
Examples of Educational Activities and Audiences: We will be meeting and conferring with local California Department of Fish and Game biologists to discuss innovative ways to promote rancher awareness for AB 580, CDFG’s “Ranch for Wildlife” program. Immediately put into action educational efforts to inform landowners and managers of the tools available to assess wildlife habitat on hardwood range. Initiate field demonstrations which examine the influence that hardwood canopy density has on the quality of wildlife habitat.
Assessment Methods
Using baseline data on the number of ranchers and acreage currently enrolled in the AB 580 program, assess the increase in numbers due to the role of the University. Determine by the use of survey techniques how many ranchers have employed oak thinning or other manipulative techniques to improve the wildlife habitat on their properties.
Current Status
The University has initiated a number of field studies designed to look at a variety of ways to harvest and manage oaks and still maintain wildlife-habitat diversity. Three of the new regional Natural Resource Specialists are wildlife biologists. They will lead in the coordination of our educational and research efforts looking at feasible hardwood harvesting and management practices that are designed to enhance and protect wildlife habitat diversity.
SHOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF HARDWOOD RANGE CONVERSION
Statement of Problem
Conversion of hardwood rangeland to other purposes isreducing statewide acreage of some of our native oaks.
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Preliminary information indicates that in many counties, conversions of hardwood rangeland to intensive agriculture, residential, and commercial development is the most likely source of adverse impacts on fire protection, soil erosion, wildlife habitat, forage and wood availability, etc. Local government (county or city) establish their own planning policies for controlling the extent and rate of encroachment. Often this is done without adequate professional wildland expertise in forestry, range, and wildlife management.
Proposed Strategies to Address the Problem
Research Efforts: CDF to fund projects which analyze the effectiveness of current local programs in protecting, maintaining, and preserving hardwood resources.
Examples of Educational Activities and Audiences: Provide educational and technical assistance to County Planners, farmers, and agricultural organizations desiring information on ways to mitigate environmentally unsound conversions. This might include the formation of an interagency task force representing both public and private sectors whose main objective would be to direct development away from areas where oak regeneration and maintenance of wildlife habitat are a concern. Develop educational materials aimed specifically at small parcel owners having oak woodland who are not interested in hunting or livestock production but place high values on aesthetics, protecting soil from erosion, water quality, wildfire protection, etc.
Assessment Methods
Using baseline data developed prior to the commencement of the local program, determine how the influence of the educational effort and possible “model ordinances” helped to reduce the extent of new crop acreage being planted in hardwood range areas. Document the actions taken by local officials to reduce the expansion into critical hardwood range areas. Use information gained at one location to assist others having similar situations. Survey the small-parcel owners who were exposed to the educational material to determine whether the information received influenced their future management practices.
Current Status
The University has completed the educational brochure, entitled Living Among the Oaks, targeted for small parcel owners of hardwood rangelands. Early in 1988, 10,000 copies will be mailed direct to owners of small hardwood range parcels. A study of the effectiveness of local conservation easements in maintaining hardwood rangelands is being completed in southern California. A survey of planners in the central coast area regarding their hardwood range ordinances is also underway, and an educational effort will be targeted at this group.
DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE RANGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Wise management of hardwood rangelands can increasewildlife, range, and 'forestry values.
(Photo by P. Gorenzel)
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Statement of Problem
The traditional livestock producer who uses California’s hardwood range needs current information in order to make rational economic decisions affecting the management of the enterprise. The future economic success of a ranching operation, by necessity, may involve multiple management strategies designed to be compatible with the owner’s objectives.
Proposed Strategies to Address the Problem
Research Efforts: Cooperatively fund with CDF several studies which took at current and alternative management strategies associated with the livestock industry. These studies assess the social, economic, and biological factors that influence landowner decision-making.
Examples of Educational Activities and Audiences: Reduce the demand for firewood cutting of sensitive oak species by encouraging the use of plentiful alternative species such as tanoak and encouraging planting of biomass plantations of exotic trees which have excellent fuelwood potential. Eucalyptus and hybrid poplars should not causeproblems to native species. Encourage landowners to consider a management strategy which provides for
the leaving of a minimum number of oak trees to enhance wildlife and aesthetic values. Demonstrate the costs and benefits of this approach. Encourage the livestock industry to adopt a woodland stewardship program similar to the timber industry’s “Tree Farm Program” which highlights the excellent management practices of the owner. Further refine the publication Preliminary Guidelines for Managing California’s Hardwood Rangelands to reflect new information obtained from current research studies.
Assessment Methods
Monitor and assess the acceptance of utilizing alternative species by surveying firewood operators, wholesalers, and retailers to determine their species mix. Monitor the increase in planting of exotic tree species as alternatives to native oak species for firewood. Use information collected by the CDF monitoring program to assess the amount of hardwood range acreage that continues to be clearcut for firewood in blocks exceeding 20 acres. On the assumption there is support for the concept of a “woodland stewardship” program among livestock producers and their organizations, use the progress of getting the program underway as evidence of change in attitude and practice. Survey a sample of woodcutters to determine their normal practices before and after the UC educational programs.
Audio–Visual Programs for California’s Hardwood Rangelands
- Oak Regeneration in California
- Explaining the Hardwood Manual
- Actual Case History Using the Hardwood Manual
- A Program for Conserving Hardwood Rangeland
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Current Status
The University has completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the hardwood range manual by surveying resource professionals and landowners using the manual. This survey shows that both groups find the manual to be a useful educational tool and expect more use in the future. Users of the manual indicate a motivation to improve wildlife habitat, maintain a fixed oak stocking rate, protect oak sprouts, and protect important oak species, as a direct consequence of the manual. The manual is in its second printing at this time.
UC recently completed a study indicating that having about 40 blue oaks per acre will increase the real estate value of a small property about 25 percent. Several workshops have been held throughout the state on alternative range management practices. An expanded effort by UC Range Advisors on whole ranch planning is scheduled for this spring, and will give ranchers a new framework for analyzing multiple use management scenarios for their hardwood rangelands.
A series of audio-visual aids on hardwood range management has been completed for use by other groups and agencies.
Clearing oaks on rangeland may increase the forage available for livestock. Such clearings should consider soil erosion, wildlife habitat, stand replacement, and property value.
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MONITORING THE STATUS, CONDITION, AND USE OF HARDWOOD RANGELANDS
Statement of Problem
Baseline information about hardwood rangelands is needed for decisions at all levels—landowners, researchers, and policymakers. Present information is of varying accuracy and methods used are inconsistent. A long-term commitment for monitoring is needed in order to determine trends in hardwood rangeland use and to evaluate the efficacy of the hardwood program itself.
Proposed Strategies to Address the Problem
Research Efforts: Fund projects which develop consistent classification and monitoring techniques and systems for hardwood rangelands.
Examples of Educational Activities and Audiences: Set-up demonstrations of the usefulness of the management-oriented site descriptions to show ranchers, landowners, and agency advisors how to use them to improve success of management practices and determine the options for use of hardwood rangeland. Provide much-needed information to policymakers, agencies, landowners, and concerned citizens about condition and trends on hardwood rangelands.
Assessment Methods
Valley oak in Napa County.
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A variety of up-to-date monitoring systems might be employed. A long-term commitment to monitoring and inventory is crucial, as is coordination with other groups involved in classification of hardwood rangelands.
Current Status
Most available information about trends, conditions, and landuse on hardwood rangeland was acquired incidentally. The consistency in methods or approach over time makes determination of trends difficult. Present classification systems are either too simplistic or too complex to be implemented widely or used in monitoring and inventory. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s legislative mandate to regularly assess the condition and trends on the State's forest and rangelands includes hardwood rangelands. CDF’s Forest and Rangeland Resource Assessment Program's (FRRAP) Geographic Information System (GIS) and other data gathered as a part of the statewide assessment program are contributing to the information base for hardwood rangelands.
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