Date

2007

Document Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Science & Environmental Policy

Abstract

Around the world, species are being lost to development and invasive species. An endangered species, Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria, exists within the East Campus Housing area of California State University, Monterey Bay on the former Fort Ord military base. As part of the Fort Ord Habitat Conservation Plan, the Gilia must be monitored as part of the Federal Endangered Species Act and for population management. Little is known about this Gilia species, and the goal of this study is to establish baseline data on population fluctuations and community structure in the East Campus Housing area in order to better manage the species. Species composition was compared in areas immediately adjacent to Gilia plants as well as in nearby areas without Gilia plants to determine if there were patterns in species associated with Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria. Also, population densities were compared to precipitation data from corresponding years to determine if there was an association between the two. There was a higher percent cover of Eriastrum virgatum in quadrats with Gilia than without. Abundance was higher in 2005, the year with more winter precipitation. These results suggest there may be an association between Gilia and Eriastrum and higher winter precipitation totals may result in larger Gilia populations.

Comments

Capstone Project (B.S.) Division of Science and Environmental Policy

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