Grassland Habitat Restoration in Vernon, B.C.

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to remove invasive Sulphur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) in different sites across the property belonging to Okanagan College (OC), on the border of Vernon and Coldstream, BC. After removing the invasive species in the chosen sites for restoration, I transplanted four different species, native to the Interior Doulgas-fir biogeoclimatic zone to recreate native grassland habitats. The four species were chosen for transplanting included Bluebunch Wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra), Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia fragilis), and Common Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus). These species were chosen for transplanting due to their abundance within the reference sites across the land at the College; they are all native species to the area and some are referenced as possible restoration species for the drier phase of the Interior Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone
(Meidinger and Pojar, 1991). Two main sites were chosen for restoration, one with transplants and one with only Potentilla recta removal. There have been no other studies or projects similar to the one that I have conducted on the chosen sites, therefore all of the information collected and photos were taken are my own, concerning plant guides for the area including Parish, Coupe, and Lloyd (1996), Plants of the Southern Interior, BC.
Most of the initial information gathered regarding the site conditions and the biophysical inventory is used from ER 312A Final Report: Biophysical Inventory at Okanagan College, Vernon BC (Sunstrum, 2012). This inventory was conducted between May and June, 2012. This source will be one of my largest regarding biophysical aspects of the region and can be used for future references for baseline conditions of the restoration sites. Data management should be easy to retrieve for monitoring and reporting for the project to be effective, and myself as well as Laurie Donovan will undertake this task. Monitoring will include determining if the transplanted species are successful, and if the Cinquefoil invasion has subsided in the restored areas.