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Projects and Research - Forestry
Past research includes a study on the efficacy of herbicide application
methods used to control tanoak in an uneven-aged coast redwood context
(Piirto, Smith and Robinson, 1996), implementation of uneven-aged forest
management (Piirto, Thompson and Piper, 1996) and hydrological research
on Scotts Creek (Dietterick, 1999).
Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) measurement of channel changes
LIDAR is an airborne laser mapping technique in which laser beams are
bounced off the earth’s surface from an airplane, generating a three-dimensional
Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The use of LIDAR allows for large amounts
of data to be collected quickly at a comparable cost to a ground survey
but with far greater detail.
Ryan Hillburn is undertaking a Master’s thesis on comparing ground
survey and LIDAR data of the Little Creek Watershed using longitudinal
profiles, 60 stream cross-sections and meander geometry to determine whether
LIDAR data can be used to measure change in channel features in a forested
environment.
Elicia Wise and Jason Pinkerton have been working on a research project
for their Masters’ thesis to determine the best way to regenerate
native Monterey pine forests in the presence of pitch canker. The project
involves 27 plots in the southern end of the Ano Nuevo stand on Monterey
pine on the ranch property. Of these plots 9 were left untouched as controls
and 18 were group cut to create 6 each of 1/8, ¼, and1/2 acre gaps.
There were two slash treatments applied to the plots, lop and scatter
and machine pile and burn. Each of the treatment plots was then planted
with trees screened for resistance to pitch canker. The gaps were created
in fall 2001 and planted in winter of 2002.
Research and cultivation of clonal Monterey Pine trees
A proposal has been received to plant and research clonal Monterey pine
trees at Swanton Pacific Ranch by IMPACT, a research group. This will
be evaluated in the coming year to determine whether it is compatible
with existing Monterey pine stands.
There are currently three different forestry research projects underway,
which are being undertaken by Dr Walter Mark with assistance from Amy
Jirka, a forestry graduate student. These studies are being funded through
different grant programs and two of them are collaborative efforts with
other institutions. Although they do not involve Swanton Pacific Ranch
property in the research, they are mentioned in this section because of
the involvement of Cal Poly faculty and students and its potential application
to the SPR and Valencia forests.
Pitch Canker Resistance Screening Project
This project has been underway since 1999. Approximately 80 trees have
been selected for screening and had a series of at least two inoculations
done on them to determine the natural resistance or susceptibility level.
The trees are located on 5 properties including Coastways Ranch by Ano
Nuevo State Reserve, Rancho Del Oso in Waddell Creek, Big Creek Ranch,
part of the old Gianone Ranch, and Swanton Pacific Ranch. The project
is now working on development of cloned rooting stock to be used to produce
pitch canker resistant planting stock for Christmas trees and ornamental
plantings. Work will start this year in conjunction with the Crop Horticultural
Science Department to grow resistant seedlings from apical meristems.
Foliar Survey for Sudden Oak Death (SOD)
This survey is a cooperative effort between Cal Poly State University
and Sonoma State University with funding from the Applied Research Institute
(ARI) and the U.S. Forest Service. Both risk and hazard models were generated
at Sonoma State University for non-infested counties to determine how
well these risk models can detect where SOD may be found.
Statewide Survey for SOD
This research involves an aerial survey to detect signs of SOD by U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFS) and Cal Poly and funded by USFS. Field
crews will take samples from sites identified by the survey to find vegetation
symptomatic of SOD for lab review.
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