Deutschman Lab Projects
In 2009 we began a project testing several protocols for monitoring the oak woodland vegetation community. In year 1, we piloted the project, collecting data on 72 trees, focusing on refining protocols, and ensuring their repeatability between teams and other pragmatic considerations. Having achieved an initial estimate of spatial variability in oak woodlands, we then expanded our sample size to 275 trees in 2010, focusing on improving our estimates of spatial variability, and the relationships of numerous metrics of health with disease, recruitment, and understory condition.
A 5-year baseline data collection period was completed in 2011, collecting data at all existing plots. In addition, plots that burned in the 2007 Santiago fire were re-visited. A rotating panel design began in 2012 for scrub and grassland areas, removing the original 6 unburned plots from the sampling rotation and establishing new plots based on power analysis and revised project goals and objectives. The rotating panel design will optimize spatial and temporal coverage, while controlling expense, and answering both general and specific management questions.
Research Tasks
1. Train field teams and implement scrub and grassland monitoring.
2. Adjust sampling plan and field protocols for oak woodland monitoring. Train field teams and implement monitoring.
3. Train field teams and implement scrub and grassland monitoring.
4. Adjust sampling plan and field protocols for oak woodland monitoring. Train field teams and implement monitoring.
Lead Biologist: Douglas Deutschman, Spring Strahm
Monitoring Irvine Ranch Open Space Easements
