The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy (SELC) aims to secure funding to begin Phase I of eradicating perennial veldt grass (Ehrharta calycha) in the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve (Reserve). The invasive nonnative grass species currently occurs in Diegan coastal sage scrub, southern maritime chaparral, and riparian scrub habitats. It is also capable of invading coastal dune habitats, potentially displacing several high priority Management Strategic Plan (MSP) plant and animal species. SELC proposes to treat the current range of perennial veldt grass in the reserve and continue to monitor the spread or lack thereof. Perennial veldt grass ls currently under SMSP management level 3 for invasive non-native plants, and needs further evaluation and management information. The proposed project will provide crucial information regarding the species and the potential for its control and eradication.
Project type: Habitat restoration
Target species: perennial veldtgrass, veldtgrass
Target vegetation: chaparral, coastal sage scrub, dunes and coastal bluffs, riparian forest & scrub
Preserves: ESCONDIDO CREEK PRESERVE
Main implementing entity: San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy
Point of contact: Joe DeWolf
Project Page manager: Sarah McCutcheon
SDMMP lead: Sarah McCutcheon
Study lead: Joe DeWolf
MSP Objectives and actions:INVPLA-1