[PCA] Extremes to Ex-Streams: Ecological Drought - Adaptation in a Changing Climate (2019) - important role for native plants

De Angelis, Patricia patricia_deangelis at fws.gov
Fri Dec 20 15:59:54 CST 2019


Extremes to Ex-Streams: Ecological Drought - Adaptation in a Changing
Climate
<https://www.cakex.org/sites/default/files/documents/EcoAdapt_Ecological%20Drought%20Adaptation%20Synthesis_Dec2019_0.pdf>
(2019) synthesizes information on ecological drought in the northwest
United States, including relevant literature, and identifies the benefits
and limitations of specific management approaches in relation to water
conservation. Drought adaptation actions involving restoration point to the
preferential use "native vegetation" in restoration--in part because
non-native plants tend to be water hogs. Management actions involving
native plant restoration activities are rated as being moderate-to-highly
feasible and successful ecological drought adaptation actions across all
ecosystems forest, grassland/shrubland, freshwater, marine/coastal (see
excerpts below).

As an added point of interest, these conclusions support the aims of
the National
Seed Strategy for Restoration and Rehabilitation
<https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/program_natural%20resources_seed%20strategy_quick%20link_seed%20stregy.pdf>
(2015),
which fosters interagency collaboration to guide the development,
availability, and use of native plants needed for timely and effective
restoration. In particular, it informs Action 2.4.2: *to quantify major
short- and long-term ecological and economic costs and benefits of planting
native or nonnative plants on public lands (e.g., value to pollinators,
biodiversity, and ecosystem functions)*.

EXCERPTS from Extremes to Ex-Streams: Ecological Drought - Adaptation in a
Changing Climate:
(p. 17) Goal: Retain ecologically available water in the natural system -
Restore habitats by maintaining native vegetation cover and removing
invasive species
-Increasing native cover and habitat heterogeneity and decreasing the
presence of invasive species is linked to increased ecosystem health for
forests and rivers and streams (Palmer et al. 2009; van Kleunen et al.
2010). In general, invasive plant species consume more water than native
plants as invasives typically exhibit faster growth rates (van Kleunen et
al. 2010) and higher rate of leaf-level water use (Leishman et al. 2007;
Cavaleri & Sack 2010).

(p. 43) Goal: Increase understanding of ecological drought - Improve
understanding of ecological drought impacts and adaptation options
through synthesis, research, monitoring, and evaluation
-There is evidence supporting the use of several drought adaptation
strategies and actions in use by managers and recommended in adaptation
guidance  documents. However, there are still knowledge gaps and areas for
future research to support more climate-informed drought management. This
includes more targeted research on drought interactions with habitats
and species as well as increased monitoring and evaluation to detect the
effectiveness of specific actions under different conditions.

Management actions involving restoration with native plants are described
as having moderate to high feasibility and effectiveness for building
resilience and resistance into ecosystems. For example, restoring habitats
by maintaining native vegetation cover and removing invasive species and
actively planting and storing seed from drought-tolerant species and
individuals.

Citation:  Gregg RM, Kershner J. 2019. Extremes to Ex-Streams: Ecological
Drought Adaptation in a Changing Climate. EcoAdapt, Bainbridge Island, WA.
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