Site Analysis - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 49

cords, including photographs that documented the presence of many species no longer present
today. Large stands of old sycamores, cottonwoods, and coast live oak, as well as thick masses of
mulefat scrub, that had long ago been cleared away by the cattleman that homesteaded the old
ranch were clearly visible. These old photographs provided valuable clues about the site's history
that enabled the team to make informed choices about the planting location and species compo-
sition that may not have been possible without the historical records.
Many government agencies possess collections of old aerial photographs. In the United States,
many of the early aerial surveys conducted by the USDA Soil Conservation Service (now NRCS)
date back to the late 1930s in the western United States. Analysis of early aerial photographs often
shows the distribution of native plant communities that were later removed for agriculture or other
purposes. Sometimes it is possible to assemble a sequence of historical aerial photographs that can
be rectified to the same scale, revealing the dynamics of change in the landscape through time.
This technique is especially valuable for analyzing the restoration potential at stream, wetland, and
shoreline restoration project sites. These photographs also help to date the time of land alterations
and structures, which may continue to influence site conditions.
Interviews of Knowledgeable Individuals
At times, documented data are difficult or impossible to obtain. Your only preparation for the site
analysis may be interviews with knowledgeable individuals. Local historians and historical socie-
ties may possess more than stories and lore. Historic photos, diaries, field journals, and travel log-
books may be available. An extensive program of data collection from museums and other sources
was carried out for all of San Francisco Bay, which made extensive use of interviews (Grossinger
2001). Further, former landowners and nearby neighbors may possess documents or detailed per-
sonal knowledge concerning previous site conditions, features, and occurrences (Edmonds 2001;
Anderson 2001; Fogerty 2001; Harris, Birch, and Palmer 1996).
Site Visit
The purpose of the site visit is to validate data previously collected from documents, uncover new data
not yet documented or readily available, and begin the interpretation process for understanding the
synthesis of your site's characteristics and the restoration strategies that you envision. Unfortunately,
many site visits do not produce the quality of information needed because people often don't know
how to detect. The most common mistake we have witnessed during data collection on site visits is
the omission of routine or obvious physical site characteristics. To remedy this problem, we suggest
that every site visit should occur with proper preparation and a site analysis checklist (discussed below).
Preparing for the Site Visit
Common resource data—such as vegetation maps, topographic data, soil maps, wildlife ranges,
overhead and underground utilities, property boundaries, and special easements—should all be