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Stressors and Management in Southern California

 

Long Beach, CA

The largest anthropogenic stressor to this area is urbanization. 

ACT News 2019. https://www.act-news.com/news/long-beach-becoming-fuel-cell-and-hydrogen-hot-spot/

The construction of infrastructure involves deteriorating natural soil conditions.  The Cataline ironwood is the most “at risk” species out of the two that I have chosen.  Racoons will be fine as they have adapted to live in urban environments already and have a much larger distribution.

Under the RCP 8.5 scenario, this area is expected to increase temperature with little change in precipitation (Climate Explorer 20211).  This will not influence the earthquakes that impact this region.  However, this could increase the rates of hurricane activity in this area.  Cataline ironwoods will be most vulnerable because they are sessile and cannot relocate in the event of an earthquake or hurricane.

A conservation plan for this area would include the promotion of environmentally friendly products such as biodegradable material being used for everyday products.  The increase in renewable energy would help combat climate change and reduce the extraction of natural resources around the city.  Another part of this plan would to be to build small preserves within the city, like the Jewell Moore Nature Reserve at UCA.  This would act as a sanctuary for species such as the racoons, and Cataline Ironwoods.  These reserves are generally appealing to humans and would simultaneously be a “safe zone” for local biota.  The last part of this plan would be the inclusion of an environmental impact analysis necessary for any further expansion of urban areas around the area.  This would allow for the consideration of the harms to the environment before the construction of new infrastructure both within the city and in surrounding areas.

 

San Bernardino National Forest

Wildfires are an anthropogenic stressor to this area. 



Riggs 2017. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/08/12/forest-service-launches-new-wildland-fire-website


Human activity in this area has contributed to more wildfires than would naturally occur.  This area has stuck with the Smokey the Bear campaign for 75 years (USDA 2021).  The Forest Service in this area actively suppresses fire regardless of the source of the fire.  This leads to the accumulation of ‘fuel’ such as dead wood and leaves on the forest floor that make future fires more intense.  Human activities such as shooting fireworks, campfires, cars etc. have caused fires in the area and are currently being regulated by the Forest Service.  The western juniper is the most vulnerable species in this area because it resides in mid elevations on the leeward side of the mountains in this region.  While they will have succession after the fire, the time taken to recover is extensive and might be at risk in light of climate change.

Under the RCP 8.5 scenario, this area is expected to increase in temperature with little change in precipitation (Climate Explorer 20212).  Increased temperatures will allow for wildfires to become more frequent and intense.  This will likely impact Bald Eagles the most.  Trees are able to survive in much warmer temperatures than they are adapted to.  The same cannot be said about some aquatic species such as salmon, which is what t he eagles feed on. The eagles would be losing a substantial food source while the western juniper will be able to survive.

A conservation plan in this area would entail a stricter law enforcement system for the national forest.  Laws are already implemented to prevent behavior that can cause harm to the forest, but most are punishable by fines.  It would be possible to develop punishments more deterring than that of a fine or increase the fines astronomically. Another part of this plan would be to raise public awareness on the importance of maintaining a healthy ecosystem, especially in a protected area such as this.  People should want to not harm the forest.  This can be done with well-developed arguments over concepts such as biophilia, the need for healthy forests, and the irrationality of purposely harming the forest.  These arguments could be delivered during tours, individual conversation, websites, media, or even advertisements.  A third part to this plan could include the temporary closing of the forest to the public.  Perhaps there could be certain parts of the year in which part of, or the entire forest would be closed to public access.  The use of these three parts could potentially be effective at preserving the forest and are economically justified.  The parts of the plan that cost money such as advertising, staffing more law enforcement, and partial closure of the area would be compensated by the heavier fines and lower cost of treatment (such as having to put out more fires, pollution cleanup, etc.).


Mojave National Preserve

Anthropogenic fragmentation is a stressor for this environment.  


NPS 2013. http://npshistory.com/publications/foundation-documents/moja-fd-2013.pdf

The main source of fragmentation in this area is by roads that run through the reserve and the possibility of future road construction in the same manner.  Some roads cause fragmentation within the habitat, but others cause fragmentation between the reserve and other reserves (NPS 2013).  Fragmentation can cause losses of biodiversity and natural resources for the National Mojave Preserve due to a decrease in immigration and emigration while increasing disturbance frequency.  The Great Basin Collared Lizard would most likely be the most vulnerable in face of this stressor.  While they may be territorial, they still need to move across the reserve for mating and colonization.  Additional roads would be an impediment for this process to occur.

Under the RCP 8.5 scenario, this area would experience an increase in temperature (Climate Explorer 20213).  It is also suggested that the area will increase in precipitation variability (NPS 2009).  Climate change will mainly affect the climate extremes that this area experiences.  Droughts will be more extensive.  Animals will be energetically stressed, and plants will increase in evapotranspiration rates (NPS 2009).  The Creosote Bush will most likely be the most vulnerable to climate change issues as it will be more affected by the loss of water.  It will be more prone to death by fire and dehydration as the area will become warmer and will have longer periods without precipitation in face of climate change.

A conservation plan for this area would entail the reduction of road construction both inside of the preserve and in surrounding areas near other preserves.  The reduction of road construction would decrease the amount of fragmentation for both the Mojave National Preserve as well as other preserves in the area.  The reduction of road construction would reduce noise pollution caused by the machinery used in the construction process as well as the use of automobiles on the road after construction.  The reduction of roads would reduce possible chemical pollution/leaching from asphalt as well as particulate matter from the roads littering the preserve.  The reducing of road construction in this area is justified economically because less money is being spent to construct the roads and requires less money for maintenance then it would with more roads.  The need for more roads in this area is little.  The amount of traffic that goes through the desert is not enough to justify the need for more roads.  The additional convenience for drivers is not worth permanent damage to a unique ecosystem such as this one.











Works Cited

The Climate Explorer. 20211. “Long Beach, CA”. https://crt-climate-explorer.nemac.org/local-climate-charts/?county=Los%2BAngeles%2BCounty&city=Long%20Beach%2C%20CA&fips=06037&lat=33.7700504&lon=-118.1937395&zoom=7&nav=local-climate-charts&id=pcpn

The Climate Explorer. 2021.2. “San Bernardino, CA”. https://crt-climate-explorer.nemac.org/local-climate-charts/?county=San%2BBernardino%2BCounty&city=San%20Bernardino%2C%20CA&fips=06071&lat=34.1083449&lon=-117.2897652&zoom=7&nav=local-climate-charts&id=pcpn

The Climate Explorer. 20213. “Ivanpah,CA”. https://crt-climate-explorer.nemac.org/local-climate-charts/?county=San%2BBernardino%2BCounty&city=Ivanpah%2C%20CA&fips=06071&lat=35.34055599999999&lon=-115.309722&zoom=7&nav=local-climate-charts&id=days_dry_days

NPS. 2009. “Mojave National Preserve Action Plan” Climate Friendly Parks. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/climatechange/upload/MOJA-CFP-Action-Plan-508Compliant.pdf

NPS. 2013. “Foundation Document: Mojave National Preserve”. NPS History. http://npshistory.com/publications/foundation-documents/moja-fd-2013.pdf

Riggs, Keith. 2017. “Forest Service Launches New Wildland Fire Website” USDA. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/08/12/forest-service-launches-new-wildland-fire-website

USDA. 2021. “Fire Management” San Bernardino Nationforest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sbnf/fire







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