Habitat and population monitoring for Chloropyron maritimum spp. palustre and Limonium californicum
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2016 the estimated number of Chloropyron maritimum ssp. palustre plants on the Coos Bay North Spit land managed by the Coos Bay District of the Bureau of Land Management is ~370,000 (277,000 in the protected area and 93,000 in the unprotected area). This is the lowest population estimate since monitoring began in 2011.
In 2016 the population of Limonium californicum is estimated to be ~652,000 with 532,000 and 120,000 in the protected and unprotected area, respectively.
Despite the relatively high number of plants, both species experienced decreases in total population size from 2015-2016, and Chloropyron maritimum ssp. palustre showed large decreases in areal cover in the unprotected area.
The area occupied with these rare species is found in a long, narrow strip of appropriate habitat in a dynamic system. This narrow strip of land (~700m long with a maximum width of 50m) lies in a precarious location along the shoreline where minor fluctuations in sea level (due to natural or manmade activities), could cause significant loss of habitat. More immediate effects from ORV use are also evident.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2016 the estimated number of Chloropyron maritimum ssp. palustre plants on the Coos Bay North Spit land managed by the Coos Bay District of the Bureau of Land Management is ~370,000 (277,000 in the protected area and 93,000 in the unprotected area). This is the lowest population estimate since monitoring began in 2011.
In 2016 the population of Limonium californicum is estimated to be ~652,000 with 532,000 and 120,000 in the protected and unprotected area, respectively.
Despite the relatively high number of plants, both species experienced decreases in total population size from 2015-2016, and Chloropyron maritimum ssp. palustre showed large decreases in areal cover in the unprotected area.
The area occupied with these rare species is found in a long, narrow strip of appropriate habitat in a dynamic system. This narrow strip of land (~700m long with a maximum width of 50m) lies in a precarious location along the shoreline where minor fluctuations in sea level (due to natural or manmade activities), could cause significant loss of habitat. More immediate effects from ORV use are also evident.
