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 Back to Chapter 6: Restoration Articles Restoration of mountain yellow-legged frogs in Kings Canyon By Harold Werner Breathing space at Lechuguilla Cave By Jason M. Richards National Park Service to share science role in Everglades restoration By Thomas Van Lent California condors return to the Colorado Plateau By Elaine Leslie Wolf restoration in Yellowstone successful beyond expectations By Douglas W. Smith, Roger J. Anderson, and Julie Mao Wetland and stream restoration at Elk Meadow in Redwood National Park By James H. Popenoe Other Developments Award-winner Profile - Botanist honored with first professional excellence award Preservation of the Fort Dupont stream Bonytail restoration continues Maintenance staff help restore native fish at Point Reyes |
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 Coastal dune restoration at Point Reyes Over summer 2001, Point Reyes National Seashore initiated the first stages of a three-year coastal dune restoration project. The dunes along the Point Reyes peninsula, north of San Francisco, support 11 federally listed species, including the threatened western snowy plover and the endangered plants Tidestrom’s lupine (Lupinus tidestromii) and beach layia (Layia carnosa). These rare species and their habitat are imminently threatened by the invasive nonnative plants European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) and iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis). These nonnatives form a thick mat that excludes native plants and animals. For example, western snowy plovers require open habitat for nesting. Large stands of iceplant and European beachgrass prevent these birds from nesting in the dunes, forcing them to the open beach where they are vulnerable to disturbance from park visitors and dogs. Restoration targets 30 acres near Abbotts Lagoon, a site that harbors the largest dune remnants in the park and is one of the prime attractions for park visitors. In 2001, park staff monitored vegetation plots and nest locations and also removed target nonnative plant species. Pre-restoration monitoring enables staff to determine where and in what quantity the native species return. Native dune plants, adapted to quick colonization of open sand, have already begun spreading into some treatment areas. The restoration is part of the process to recover and delist the rare species. The undertaking is funded by the Natural Resource Preservation Program, a competitive source for resource management projects that is supported by the Natural Resource Challenge. |
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This material is from Natural Resource Year in Review--2001, published by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, in May 2001 (publication D-2255) /YearInReview/yir/yir2001/06_restoration/06_od3_dunes_PORE.html Last Updated: |