Oak Woodland Protection Plans

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Oak woodlands on the Fort Ord National Monument. Image: BLM

Summary

This page describes Oak Woodland Protection Plans for Monterey County.

Oak Woodland Description

The majority of hardwood forest in California is oak woodland, consisting of widely-spaced oaks with native shrubs and grasses in the understory [1]. There are approximately 10 million acres of oak woodlands found in 54 of California’s 58 counties. About 4 percent of the oak woodlands are protected, and 80 percent are located on privately owned property [2]. Over 20 species of oaks may be found in these woodlands, ranging from low-growing shrubs to large trees. Oak woodlands support over 300 terrestrial vertebrates at some life stage, as well as a wide range of insects [3]. There are 130 oak woodland plants listed as sensitive species by the federal or state government, or the California Native Plant Society [4].

California's oak woodlands are threatened primarily by removal for development, but also by diseases such as Sudden Oak Death (SOD), and poor regeneration. Poor regeneration, possibly due to fire suppression and overgrazing, contributes to increased presence of invasive species and long-term habitat change [5].

Location

Monterey County

Monterey County is located on the Central Coast of California. Oak woodlands comprise approximately 22% (over half a million acres) of Monterey County's total acreage, and are an integral part of an ecosystem that includes over 1,600 plant and animal species [6]. The most common oak species in Monterey County include coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), blue oak (Q. douglasii), and valley oak (Q. lobata).

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia). Image: CalPhotos (UC Berkeley
Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii)). Image: CalPhotos (UC Berkeley
Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)). Image: CalPhotos (UC Berkeley

Fort Ord

Fort Ord is a former military base located in the southern Monterey Bay area of California. It comprises 28,000 acres near the cities of Seaside, Sand City, Monterey, Del Rey Oaks, and Marina [7]. Approximately 5,000 acres of Fort Ord are oak woodland.

Resources at Stake

Oak woodlands moderate temperature extremes, minimize soil erosion, sustain water quality, facilitate nutrient cycling, and provide habitat for numerous wildlife species [8].

Stakeholders

  • City of Marina
  • City of Seaside
  • City of Del Rey Oaks
  • City of Monterey
  • Sierra Club
  • Keep Fort Ord Wild


Laws, Policies and Regulations

State of California

The State of California has given directives to enact oak woodland protection plans, and identifies potential funding sources. California Assembly Bill No. 242 enacted the Oak Woodlands Conservation Act to fund the protection and conservation of the state’s oak woodlands [9]. Local government entities, park and open-space districts, resource conservation districts, private landowners, and nonprofit organizations can obtain funding from the Oak Woodlands Conservation Fund established by the bill [10].

Monterey County

Monterey County Zoning Ordinance Title 21 describes requirements for the preservation of oak and other protected trees [11]. Title 21 regulations apply to the unincorporated areas of Monterey County outside of the Coastal Zone.

Fort Ord Reuse Authority

Oak woodlands on Fort Ord, based on terminology used in the [FORA] Base Reuse Plan. Image: Central Coast Watershed Studies

Recreation Policy C1 of the Fort Ord Reuse Plan requires the City of Marina to establish an oak tree protection program focused on the conservation of coastal live oak woodlands[12]. Specifically, the conservation of large corridors within a comprehensive open space system is required. The city is directed to locate trails within this system, and the objective of establishing community parks is identified.

Related Legislation

California Assembly Bill No. 2785 directed the Department of Fish and Game to identify and prioritize areas in the state serving as essential habitat connectors or wildlife corridors[13]. The Department is required to produce vegetative data and analytical products for public and governmental use. The bill states that funding and cost-sharing opportunities with agencies or organizations that use the data will be pursued.


References

  1. Christensen, Glenn A.; Campbell, Sally J.; Fried, Jeremy S. (2008). California’s forest resources, 2001–2005: five-year Forest Inventory and Analysis report. United States Forest Service.
  2. California Wildlife Conservation Board
  3. University of California. Oak Woodland Management - Woodland Wildlife.
  4. University of California. Sensitive plants of oak woodlands.
  5. PRBO Conservation Science. 2002. The Oak Woodland Bird Conservation Plan
  6. Big Sur Land Trust
  7. Former Fort Ord Environmental Cleanup
  8. Oak Woodlands Conservation Act of 2001, Program Application and Guidelines.
  9. California Assembly Bill No. 242
  10. Oak Woodlands Conservation Program
  11. Monterey County Zoning Ordinance Title 21 § 21.64.260
  12. Fort Ord Reuse Plan Volume 2: Reuse Plan Elements
  13. California Assembly Bill No. 2785

Links

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of [CSUMB], its staff, or students.