Edgewood Natural Preserve near Redwood City is famous for its flower-f
illed serpentine grasslands. But the 467 acres of Edgewood support great bi
odiversity in the chaparral, oak woodlands, and grasslands on more fertile
soils. The 100+ acres of fertile grasslands are by far the most weed-invade
d habitat, and have been the focus of successful control of “macroweeds.” L
earn how the Friends of Edgewood and Creekside Science are pursuing the goa
l of decreasing “microweeds” and increasing native cover and diversity.
A Rapid Assessment Plot (RAP) inventory with over 80 plots document
ed more than 90 native species in the fertile grasslands, albeit often at l
ow cover. They are investigating treatments to reduce annual weed seedlings
just after germination, including hydromechanical pulverization (HMP) -- b
asically pressure washing the grassland, and close-mowing with string cutte
rs.
Besides commercially available local seeds, they are using m
ore than 15 species of “boutique” seeds grown at Edgewood Farms and the Nat
ive Garden. They are trying to develop a long-term “indigenous” approach to
restoration, whereby a beautiful, colorful diversity of native plants is e
stablished and can spread naturally given occasional management.
Dr Weiss will be presenting the exciting first year results and the seco
nd year scaling up.
Stu Weiss, Ph.D. (Stanford Universi
ty) is Chief Scientist of Creekside Science, which provides scientific and
conservation expertise to diverse organizations as they cope with the rapid
ly changing 21st Century environment. He has researched the Bay checkerspot
butterfly and serpentine grasslands since 1979, and has authored numerous
scientific papers concerning climate/microclimate, population dynamics, nit
rogen deposition, and conservation ecology. Creekside Science executes many
hands-on restoration projects, including butterfly reintroductions, propag
ation of endangered plants, and habitat monitoring and management. His rese
arch and advocacy were instrumental in the development of the Santa Clara V
alley Habitat Plan, and he is Science Advisor for the Bay Area Conservation
Lands Network. For more information see www.creeksidescience.com
.