Habitat recovery research for sand-verbena moth

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This final report was written after the second year of an ongoing study to test and implement habitat restoration activities for recovery of the sand-verbena moth, an endangered species found in sand dunes or spits in coastal British Columbia (BC). It focuses on improving our understanding of the ecology and threats to coastal sand dunes and on developing methods for restoring open dunes and increasing host-plant (yellow sand-verbena) resources on which the moth depends. Research in 2005 focused on the following: 1) quantifying vegetation change in Goose Spit using historic air photos (1931–2002), 2) testing methods for propagating yellow sand-verbena plants for increasing host-plant resources for sand-verbena moth populations, 3) continuing vegetation treatment plots and monitoring activities to assess methods for open dune restoration, and 4) characterizing dune soils by depth in relation to restoration objectives. The historic air photo assessment indicated rapid vegetation change in the last 70 years: developed areas have increased from 0.18 ha to 6.62 ha, Scotch broom has increased from 0.37 ha to 9.58 ha, and dune areas have declined almost 80% to 2.2 ha. Vegetative propagation of yellow sand-verbena was a complete failure. No rooting was observed, and all cuttings succumbed to mildew problems within 2 weeks of establishment. However, propagation from seed was very successful. Forty-four seedlings were established, and 18 were planted at Goose Spit in September 2005. Dune restoration activities in 2005 focused on a treatment in which the bryophyte matt was scalped from the soil surface. This treatment meets a number of objectives for dune restoration: 1) creating open sand conditions, 2) removing organic matter and nutrients associated with the bryophyte crust, 3) removing a large portion of the seed bank of Scotch broom and invasive grasses, 4) protecting isolated native plants, and 5) creating suitable conditions for yellow sand-verbena establishment. The preliminary results of this project were presented at a symposium entitled "Invertebrate Species at Risk in BC" on October 22, 2005. The symposium was attended by 65 people working on invertebrate conservation in BC.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology