A trip down to the southern Oregon coast!

In August 2015 the IAE Conservation Research crew traveled down to new territory: Coos Bay on the southern Oregon coast! We were investigating the status of both Point Reyes bird’s beak (Cordylanthus maritimus spp. palustris) and Western marsh-rosemary (Limonium californicum). Point Reyes bird’s beak is listed as a federal Species of Concern and Western marsh-rosemary is listed as Bureau Sensitive by the Bureau of Land Management. Here is a photo documentation of our experience on this trip to coastal estuaries.

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Cordylanthus maritimus spp. palustris up close. Although the same species, there are purple and white flowers. Photo credit: Ceci Welch
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Limonium californicum up close. Photo credit: Ceci Welch
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A transect in our first study site on Bureau of Land Management, Coos Bay District property. Photo credit: Hannah Gilbert
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Our second study site was right along the beach and even though we didn’t find much COMAPA or LICA, it was great being right on the bay. Photo credit: Hannah Gilbert
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We surveyed using one large (meter) quadrat to assess the habitat type. If either Cordylanthus or Limonium were present, we used one randomly placed small quadrat within the large to count all of the two species occurring within. Those data were applied to the whole plot. Photo credit: Sara Newman
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Sara and Hannah sampling along a transect using the monitoring technique pictured above. Photo credit: Ceci Welch
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An example of what a “Salicornia depression” habitat type looks like. Inundated by Salicornia depressa, this habitat occurs in wet depressions in the landscape. Photo credit: Ceci Welch
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Distichlis spicata (the grassy one) and Jaumea carnosa (the succulent-like one) were two other commonly occurring plants in our study sites that grow together. Photo credit: Ceci Welch

 

Denise talking to a local Oregon Youth Corps group about our research and the work we do at IAE. Always time for a little outreach and getting folks excited about science! Photo credit: Ceci Welch

 

 

The layout of one of our study sites. If you look closely, you will be able to see small pin flags laid out everywhere. While we were surveying plants, Denise was mapping out all the habitat boundaries with a GPS unit. Photo credit: Ceci Welch

 

Sunset (2)
A stunning sunset from a lookout near our campsite at Sunset Beach State Park. A great end to a great trip! Photo credit: Hannah Gilbert
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A beautiful view down the waterway from our study site. We hiked in this route everyday. Photo credit: Ceci Welch