Site Analysis - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 60

Compiling an exhaustive list is not usually needed for common or wide-ranging species; however, you
should prepare a list of target species and species of special concern relative to project objectives. If
adjacent lands have any special status species, then a focused survey should be done for those species
to verify use. A natural objective of the project would be to have these species of special status become
residents on the site. Commonly, regional lists, environmental documents for nearby projects, and
local museums will have lists and other documentation regarding species and habitat preferences.
Obtain data to document nesting, foraging, and use patterns for all species of interest for resto-
ration. As discussed earlier, animals use a wide variety of physical features in their natural behaviors.
Some of these features may be critical for their long-term presence (Maehr, Hoctor, and Harris
2001). Studies of the endangered least Bell's vireo (California), for example, show a common pat-
tern for nesting sites to be at about three feet above the ground in a shrubby plant and at a vegeta-
tion break or edge with a twenty-foot-high roost site nearby. Other studies have shown a distribution
relationship between lizard size and soil surface condition. The ability to lay eggs at the appropriate
depth is controlled by the depth of sand and grain size. Larger species require a deeper depth of
penetrable sand to lay eggs. If your goal is to increase or establish a permanent population of a
species, then knowing the habitat requirements of the target species is absolutely critical to success.
ANTICIPATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS OR CONSIDERATIONS
Almost certainly, a site will show obvious signs of disturbance that will require correction. Deter-
mining the cause of these disturbances ideally will ultimately lead to identifying the sources of the
degradation and their possible solutions. These potential actions, their extent, and other related
characteristics will be important components in developing and refining the project design.
Grading. Past activity on the site may have left the contours unacceptable to the goals of your proj-
ect. Typically, sites that have served as mining or borrow sites for construction are left as large excavated
holes. The desire to establish a wetland type of habitat requires lowering the ground level to be more
proximate with the groundwater table or ensuring the appropriate relationship between land surface
and tidal elevations. Stream banks may be eroding and have unstable slopes that require modification
before bank stabilization can occur. Does the site fit into the vision that you and your stakeholders have
for it? Is a significant amount of grading needed, or will you need to bring in dirt to raise the elevation?
Soil Import/Export. Mined lands and borrow sites and other dramatically graded land will be
devoid of soil nutrients suitable to support a native vegetation community. The decision to import
soil will be contingent on the ultimate vegetation community and the requirements of the species
comprising the vegetation. Importing or simply moving soil from one location to another can be
very costly. In addition, not properly incorporating the imported soil can leave the site vulnerable
to higher-than-normal erosive events.
Water/Drainage. Knowing the source of water on the site and how it behaves will guide you
in your ultimate design or planting pattern. The existing groundwater is only one source of water;
rainfall and how the water traverses the site will also factor into your design decisions.
All sites have some form of drainage, with varying degrees of slope. Even flat land is not entirely
flat and therefore sheds water with small rivulets. Knowing how water travels across your site will
be critical in evaluating the need for any erosion control structures or applications. The speed of