Managing the Sacramento Valley Vernal Pool Landscape to Sustain the Native Flora

Vernal pools in the Sacramento Valley are essentially islands of native flora among a grassland composed primarily of exotic annual species. In managing the vernal pool landscape to sustain these islands of native flora, the integrity of the landscape’s hydrology must be maintained. One management decision that may indirectly affect hydrology is complete rest from grazing. Although the native vernal pool flora may not have evolved under extensive grazing, the current hydrology and ecology of most vernal pool landscapes in the Sacramento Valley have been influenced by a livestock grazing regime. Observations of vernal pool sites under complete rest for the past fifteen years indicate that removal of livestock favors exotic annual species around the margin of vernal pools. Complete rest from livestock grazing may also alter the hydrology of the vernal pool landscape by increasing residual dry matter and altering the soil structure. Sustaining the native vernal pool flora requires vegetation management. Land managers/owners should assess current condition, understand management history, and determine a landscape goal for a vernal pool site before developing a management plan. In planning for management with grazing livestock, land managers/owners should consider the effects of different grazing animal species, season of grazing, and grazing intensity. Monitoring plant species composition, residual dry matter, and utilization will allow land managers/owners to adjust their management plan to make progress towards the landscape goal. CITATION. Pages 236-240 in: C.W. Witham, E.T. Bauder, D. Belk, W.R. Ferren Jr., and R. Ornduff (Editors). Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Vernal Pool Ecosystems – Proceedings from a 1996 Conference. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. 1998.