CNPS Veg-a-thon

Looking over assessment plot

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a CNPS Veg-a-thon in the San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear Lake. It was a great learning experience, I saw many new plants, and was surrounded by an excellent group of people. The purpose of the Veg-a-thon was to gather quality scientific information about the region’s vegetation alliances and associations.

We camped among the Jeffery Pines north of Big Bear Lake. It was basically three and a half days of vegetation mapping. Each day, we had three or four groups take off to various locations, usually on dirt roads within about 20 miles of camp. As we drove along, were searching for certain vegetation alliances underrepresented by current data.

Hiking up through an area that burned in the 2015 Lake Fire
Hiking up through an area that burned in the 2015 Lake Fire
   Our group stopped to record data at montane meadows, rocky hillsides, and pine forests for example. We used two types of vegetation assessments, rapid assessment and relevé. For rapid assessment, one chooses a stand of fairly uniform vegetation stand with an imaginary boundary that is fairly accessible. A relevé plot is typically smaller with marked boundaries. We usually created relevé plots that were ten by ten or two by five meter rectangles, depending on the density and variety of vegetation.
   The information gathered from both types assessment is similar. We recorded information about the physical environment; things like slope, aspect, and topography. There is a verbal description of the area with succession history or other relevent factors. There is also habitat data detailing the tree, shrub, and and herbaceous classes. Also included is a detailed vegetation description, strata heights, categories, and percent coverages, and of course, a list of the plant species.
   These efforts are part of the drive to update the Manual of California Vegetation (MCV). The MCV is the CNPS guide to California’s plant communities. Rather than just listing plants, it shows how plants are associated with each other. This data is will make the MCV more comprehensive and complete. CNPS is also planning to integrate the MCV with other databases like the Inventory of Rare Plants, Calscape, and new data emerging from the Important Plant Area Initiative.
Assessing vegetaion on a hillside
Assessing vegetaion on a hillside

The MCV data can be useful for wildlife monitoring, tracking threatened species, and restoration to name a few. It can also help guide decisions by policymakers, state and federal agencies, including the California Department of Fish and Game, the United States Forest Service, and the National Park Service.

At times, the work was challenging. Some of the terrain was rugged and off the trail. There was always the altitude affecting endurance and sun exposure. The heat was a factor later in the day. But the hard work felt satisfying and conditions were never extreme or terribly limiting.

Overall, it was very worthwhile, especially because of the people involved. Everyone, even the most expert and experienced were very kind, and willing to share their wisdom. In addition to their professionalism, it was great to be in the woods, camping, and exploring with folks who understand and appreciate wildlife and ecosystems.

You can find out about joining a Veg-a-thon here. To learn more about the Manual of California Vegetation visit here. You can greatly help the MCV project by making a donation here.

by Stu Woodward

Conservation

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