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Archived Workshops/References

Serpentine Grasslands

Description

Many rare grassland species are found mainly on serpentine soils. The Coastal Training Program is working to bring together scientists, stewards, consultants, and regulatory agencies to explore conservation solutions. Serpentine grasslands have long been oases of grassland species diversity in an increasing desert of exotic invasive plant species. An interesting chemistry and physical makeup of serpentine soils has either thwarted invading species or reduced their impacts so that native grassland species, some of which are now found only on serpentine soils, flourish. The most extensive serpentine grasslands in our region are found near San Jose, in Santa Clara County California. Fortunately, there is a wealth of research in this geographic area that has added greatly to our understanding of serpentine grasslands and the management dilemmas that the conservation community faces in preserving them. The current focus of the Coastal Training Program has been to highlight work by Dr. Stuart Weiss on the potential impacts of vehicle emission-originated Nitrogen, which he has documented being deposited on the serpentine grasslands. Dr. Weiss' work has helped us understand the role that grazing plays in mediating the impacts of Nitrogen deposition, which would otherwise pose a significant threat to the Bay Checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis) by favoring exotic invasive grasses that out compete the butterfly's host plants. On this web site, you'll find notes, photos, and resources that can help you to better understand serpentine grasslands and Dr. Weiss' work. If you have questions or suggestions for further information that we might provide, please contact us.

Training Programs

Coyote Ridge Serpentine Grasslands Field Trip Apr 7, 2005
Coyote Ridge Serpentine Field Trip 2006 Apr 13, 2006
Coyote Ridge Serpentine: Nitrogen effects on air, water, and butterfly habitat quality Apr 19, 2007

Documents and Publications

TITLE
DATE ADDED
AUTHOR
SOURCE
DESCRIPTION
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Cars, cows, and checkerspot butterflies: nitrogen deposition and management of nutrient-poor grasslands for a threatened species.
PDF, 2.8MB
Jun 30 05
Weiss, S.B.
Conservation Biology 13(6): 1476-1486
1999
Ecological Effects of Nitrogen deposition in the Western United States.
PDF, 730KB
Jun 30 05
Mark E. Fenn, Jill S. Baron, Edith B. Allen, Heather M. Rueth, Koren R. Nydick, Linda Geiser, William D. Bowman, James O. Sickman, Thomas Meixner, Dale W. Johnson, and Peter Neitlich
BioScience 53(4):404-420
2003
Nitrogen emissions, deposition, and monitoring in the Western United States.
PDF, 865KB
Jun 30 05
Mark E. Fenn, Richard Haeuber, Gail S. Tonneson, Jill S. Baron, Susanne Grossman-Clarke, Diane Hope, Daniel A. Jaffe, Scott Copeland, Linda Geiser, Heather M. Rueth, and James O. Sickman.
BioScience 53(4):391-403
2003
OTHER INFORMATION
Photo 1: Coyote Ridge Serpentine Grasslands Field Trip
JPG, 210KB
Jun 30 05
Mark Stromberg
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
2005
Photo 2: Coyote Ridge Serpentine Grasslands Field Trip
JPG, 124KB
Jun 30 05
Mark Stromberg
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
2005
Photo 3: Coyote Ridge Serpentine Grasslands Field Trip
JPG, 199KB
Jun 30 05
Mark Stromberg
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
2005
Photo 4: Coyote Ridge Serpentine Grasslands Field Trip
JPG, 230KB
Jun 30 05
Mark Stromberg
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
2005
Photo 5: Coyote Ridge Serpentine Grasslands Field Trip
JPG, 125KB
Jun 30 05
Mark Stromberg
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
2005
Photo 6: Coyote Ridge Serpentine Grasslands Field Trip
JPG, 135KB
Jun 30 05
Mark Stromberg
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
2005

Links

TITLE DATE ADDED
Special Plants of Coyote Ridge
http://www.stanford.edu/~rawlings/coyote/KCplants.htm
Jun 27 05
Energy-Related Environmental Research Project Reports
http://www.energy.ca.gov/research/environmental/reports.html#outdoorairquality
Aug 12 08
Impacts of Nitrogen Deposition on California Ecosystems and Biodiversity
http://www.energy.ca.gov/research/environmental/project_summaries/PS_500-99-013_WEISS.PDF
Aug 12 08
Assessment of Nitrogen Deposition:Modeling and Habitat Assessment. California Energy Commission, PIER Energy-Related Environmental Research
http://www.energy.ca.gov/2006publications/CEC-500-2006-032/CEC-500-2006-032.PDF
Aug 12 08