Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative

Past activities

In 2005: July 27
In 2004: June 8
In 2003: Dec 4 | July 2
In 2002: Nov 15 | Mar 4
In 2001: Dec 11 | Oct 10 | Sept 7 | June 26 | May 29 | Mar 2

July 27, 2005. “Propagation of Monterey Pine in New Zealand”, a special seminar by Cathy Hargreaves (Forest Research, Rotorua, New Zealand) was convened by Deborah Rogers, director of the Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative and presented at the Monterey City Council Chambers, City Hall, in Monterey CA. Dr. Hargreaves reported that New Zealand has had a committed tree improvement program with Pinus radiata D. Don (Monterey pine) for decades. Early propagation efforts concerned the identification of superior trees from the first forest plantations that were established during the 1930s. Scion material was taken from these trees and used to establish seed orchards. Progeny from these early selections were further screened and methods established for controlled pollination. As a result of these approaches, significant gains were made with both growth rate and tree form from the wild populations (mainly from California). Initial propagation efforts concentrated on amplifying the control-pollinated seed which was expensive and could only be produced in small quantities. Cutting and tissue culture methods were developed and cloning of elite individuals for afforestation has become a reality. Other aspects of the breeding program have included the development of cryogenic technologies which facilitate both seed storage and amplification of selected genotypes. These methods of propagation for P. radiata in New Zealand may also be effective tools for the management and restoration of native Monterey pine stands in California and for preserving valuable seed collections in the long term.

June 8, 2004. This meeting, at the University of California’s Elkus Ranch Conference Center, just a few miles south of Half Moon Bay, CA, took place a bit north of the current natural range of Monterey pine, but still within the evolutionary footprint of this species. The program for this meeting included biological information, conservation recommendations, and descriptions of current research activities for some of the bird species that are native to coastal forests and adjacent open areas. Walt Koenig provided insights into the behavior of acorn woodpeckers, as well as some information from his research on native oak species. Monterey pine forest merges into oak woodlands particularly in the Cambria area. Glenn Stewart provideed information on some of the California predator bird species, noting conservation concerns and activities of the University of California research group with which he is affiliated. The second theme of the program addressed the impact interface between plants and human activity. Fraser Schilling addressed the impacts of roads on native plant communities and explore means of remediating the effects of fragmentation from such developments. Larry Costello provided information about the risks of living, travelling, or recreating close to Monterey pines through his work on structural properties of Monterey pine and associated risks. His work helps to illuminate the likelihood of native Monterey pine forests losing more habitat over time as ‘hazard trees’ are designated in areas where the forests border residences, roads, and other developments.

December 4, 2003. The eighth general meeting of the Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative was held at the Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria, CA. This meeting was distinctive in having a high proportion of first-time participants. Deborah Rogers briefly reviewed the purpose, structure, and history of the Cooperative, so that the new members would have some context for the day.

Topics of presentations were diverse in their exploration of various aspects, species, and processes of the Monterey pine forests: from the fungal diversity of these coastal forests (Hoeksema), to valuing urban forests—highly relevant to the increasingly fragmented and urbanized pine forest areas in Monterey and Cambria (Geiger), to the neighboring sandhill ecosystems which share the same disturbance factors (developments, recreation impacts, fire suppression, etc.) with the Monterey pine forests (McGraw), to the development of a demographic monitoring program for native Monterey pine forests (Canestro).

• Jason D. Hoeksema (Postdoctoral researcher, Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz) “Mycorrhizal fungi: Key mutualists of Monterey pines”
• James R. Geiger (Director of Communications, Center for Urban Forest Research, USDA Forest Service, Davis, CA) “What is the value of the urban forest—A research perspective”
• Jodi McGraw (Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA) “Conservation and management of the endangered plants and endemic communities of the Santa Cruz Sandhills”
• Don Canestro (Reserve Director, Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve Cambria, CA ) “Long-term demographic monitoring of Pinus radiata in Cambria, CA”

The program was concluded with a hike on the Williams’ property, hosted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). This 106-acre property was recently acquired by TNC and will be handed over to the CA Dept. of Fish and Game (DFG) within the next few years. Michael Bell and Anne McMahon (TNC) provided an introduction to the property, its history, and TNC’s interests in and objectives for this property. The property has considerable ecological value in being part of the Santa Rosa Creek watershed, having considerable Monterey pine forest, and providing habitat for a diversity of plant, animal, and fungal species. Because of its location next to a large private property with a conservation easement (the easement is also held by TNC), the ecological value is enhanced. Deborah Hillyard (DFG), Rick Hawley (Greenspace–The Cambria Land Trust), and Daniel Bohlman (a biologist who is working with TNC on this property to assess its biological status and make some recommendations for management) provided more information about this property, its values, and the management challenges.

July 2, 2003. The seventh general meeting of the Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative was held at the Pebble Beach Community Services District office in Pebble Beach, CA. Presentations at this meeting explored processes, both natural and introduced (e.g., fire ecology, drought impacts, grazing, invasions by exotic plants, and interactions among these processes), that affect native Monterey pine forests.

• Deborah Rogers (Genetic Resources Conservation Program, University of California) “After Baja: Research, conservation, and educational activities following the 2001 UC-led expedition to Guadalupe and Cedros Islands, Mexico” (This was a last-minute substitute presentation, following the emergency cancellation by James Geiger, Center for Urban Forest Research, USDA Forest Service.
• Richard Minnich (Professor, University of California, Riverside) “Fire suppression, extreme drought, and destabilization of Southern California coniferous forests”
• Hugh Safford (Regional Ecologist, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Vallejo, CA) “Effects of grazing and invasions on roadside plant communities: Interaction with habitat productivity and evolutionary history”

An afternoon hike in native Monterey pine forests in the Pescadero area of the Del Monte Forest was led by Rob Cain and Roxayne Spruance, Pebble Beach Company.

November 15, 2002. The sixth general meeting of the Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative was held at Rancho del Oso, which is close to Waddell Creek and Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 16 miles north of Santa Cruz.

Annette Jackson, naturalist and coordinator at Rancho del Oso, was host for this meeting.

Presentations addressed the fungal and insect diversity of native Monterey pine forests and provide information on a major database of California flora. Presenters and topics included:

• Jerry Powell (Professor, Dept. of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA) “Native insects in coastal California forests”
• Ann Dennis (Executive Director, CalFlora) “Using the CalFlora database for conservation activities”
• Detlev Vogler (Scientist, Institute of Forest Genetics, USDA Forest Service, Davis, CA) “The role of fungi in Monterey pine forests”

An afternoon hike explored neighboring Monterey pine forests.

March 4, 2002. The fifth general meeting of the Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative was held at the VC Administrative Conference Room of the California Department of Parks and Recreation offices at Hearst Castle (near Cambria, CA). Three presentations were provided:

• Nancy Grulke (Scientist, Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Riverside, CA) “Ozone effects on Sierran pines, with consideration for potential injury to Monterey pine”.
• Sandy Andelman (Deputy Director, National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis, University of California, Santa Barbara) “Making robust conservation decisions: How should we set conservation priorities?”.
• Mark Borchert (Province Ecologist, USDA Forest Service) “Early postfire seed dispersal, seedling establishment, and seedling mortality of Coulter pine in central coastal California”.

Greg Smith and Regena Orr (California Department of Parks and Recreation) led a hike in native Monterey pine forests in San Simeon State Park.

December 11, 2001. The fourth general meeting of the Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative was held at the Pebble Beach Community Services District office in Pebble Beach, California. Three presentations were provided:

• David Richardson (Chief Research Officer & Deputy Director, Institute for Plant Conservation, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa) “Pines and other trees as invasive aliens in South Africa—Ecology and management”.
• Walter Sakai (Professor, Santa Monica College, and Research Associate, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County) “The biology and conservation of the monarch butterfly”.
• Mark Stromberg (Resident Director, Hastings Natural History Reservation, University of California, Berkeley) “Composition, invasibility, and diversity in coastal California grasslands”.

Rob Cain and Roxayne Spruance (Pebble Beach Company) led a hike in the native Monterey pine forests in the SFB Morse Preserve, managed by the Del Monte Forest Foundation.

October 10, 2001. The Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative presented a workshop on ‘Invasive exotic plant species of Monterey pine forests: Eradication, control, or prevention through better understanding’. Through the generosity of the Pebble Beach Company, the Pebble Beach Company Community Services District, and the Del Monte Forest Foundation, the venue was the Pebble Beach Community Services District office at Pebble Beach.

This program focused on species of particular concern within native Monterey pine forests. Given the broad spectrum of topics related to exotic invasives, the program featured only selected presentations. These included:

• Alison Stanton (California Exotic Pest Plant Council): “Keeping it in the garden: Invasive plants of horticultural origin”
• Joe DiTomaso (Dept. of Vegetable Crops and Weed Science Program, University of California, Davis) “Identification, biology, and control principals for noxious weeds on the Monterey Peninsula”
• Scott Steinmaus (Dept. of Crop Science, California State Polytechnic State University): “Approaches to predicting a successful plant invasion”
• Steve Schoenig (Integrated Pest Control Branch, California Dept. of Food and Agriculture) and Henry Gonzalez (Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office): “State and county programs for invasive plant removal”

Field demonstrations of exotic plant removal in Monterey pine forests: Steve Staub (Del Monte Forest Foundation): Introduction to site, site history, particular weed problems. Laura Lienk (California State University, Monterey Bay) and members of the Weed Warrior Team: On-site weed identification, discussion/demonstrations of appropriate weed removal techniques for various weeds present in the forest.

September 7, 2001. The third general meeting of the Cooperative was held at Rancho del Oso, in the Año Nuevo population of Monterey pine. This site is close to Waddell Creek and Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 16 miles north of Santa Cruz. Annette Jackson, naturalist and coordinator at Rancho del Oso, was the host.

Michael Loik (Dept. of Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz) provided information on climate change and coastal fog, and explored implications for Monterey pine forests.

Todd Keeler-Wolf (California Natural Diversity Database, Dept. of Fish and Game, Sacramento) discussed California vegetation maps and databases, with examples from Monterey pine and other temperate forest types.

Roy Woodward (California State Parks, Sacramento) described the new California State Parks’ Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment Program (IMAP).

Participants enjoyed a hike in the nearby Monterey pine forests, where Monterey pines grow intermixed with knobcone pine, and blend into redwood and Douglas-fir forests further east.

June 26, 2001. The second general meeting of the Cooperative was held in the lovely forested venue of Camp Ocean Pines at Cambria, CA. Twenty-eight individuals from large private forest-managing companies, state and federal government agencies, (four) nongovernmental organizations, universities, the California Coastal Commission, and consulting companies participated. Deborah Rogers (Genetic Resources Conservation Program, University of California) provided some information on how genetic integrity of Monterey pine populations may require special attention in some situations. Genetic dynamics, natural and management influences on genetic diversity and structure, and opportunities for genetic conservation were discussed, with reference to fire ecology, harvesting, and introduced biotic influences. Nicole Nedeff (Big Sur Land Trust) provided a visual tour of a recent (May 12–24, 2001) biological expedition to Guadalupe and Cedros Islands, Mexico to secure seed collections of Monterey pine for restoration, conservation, and research purposes. Her presentation emphasized the status of endemic and introduced plants, current threats, and the multinational and team-spirited quality of the expedition. David Bates (Big Sur Land Trust) and Richard Hawley (Greenspace, The Cambria Land Trust), who also participated in the expedition, provided additional comments. Jud Vandevere and Don Canestro (Reserve Manager, University of California) provided background on the Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve and Dr. Norris’ achievements and passions. Participants enjoyed a hike through this reserve, led by Don Canestro and Miranda Canestro. The reserve is approximately 600 acres, and is under a six-year management agreement between the University of California’s Natural Reserve System and the current (private) property owner.

May 29, 2001. The Cooperative hosted a seminar by Dr. A. Colin Matheson of Forestry and Forest Products, CSIRO, Canberra, Australia.
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Place: Monterey City Council Chambers, Monterey, CA (corner of Pacific and Madison Streets)
Seminar title: “Status and ex situ conservation of Monterey pine in the antipodes: How to have your cake and eat it, too!”

Dr. Matheson is a Senior Principal Research Scientist with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Canberra, Australia. His extensive research on genetic properties of Monterey pine has many applications in both commercial plantations and native forest conservation. Australia has over 745,000 ha of Monterey pine plantations, and arguably the most comprehensive and secure ex situ genetic reserves for this species. In addition to commercial benefit, the Australian Monterey pine plantations offer a means of satisfying societal demands for wood and wood products, while conserving the native forests. Dr. Matheson provided descriptions of the ex situ reserves of Monterey pine, their status and significance, in relation to the native forests of Australia and the native Monterey pine forests of California and Mexico.

March 2, 2001. The organizational meeting of the Monterey Pine Forest Ecology Cooperative was held in Monterey, CA. Our first meeting was well attended with representatives from city, county, regional, state and federal governments; six NGOs; several universities; and a large private company with considerable Monterey pine forest holdings. The genesis, objectives, and framework for the Cooperative were presented, and participants discussed their information needs, providing a basis for future Cooperative educational activities. Participants offered information on their current activities that related to education, management, or research of Monterey pine forests. The meeting was followed by a tour of Jacks Peak County Park, managed by the Monterey County Parks.

This page last updated April 26, 2005.
Copyright UC Regents. All rights reserved.