Molecular Profile and Ecological Analysis of Arctostaphylos densiflora Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020060196
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Molecular Profile and Ecological Analysis of Arctostaphylos densiflora Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/10/2020
Present Land Use
California Native Plant Society’s Vine Hill Preserve in western Sonoma County, California
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a permit to the Green Biome
Institute, California State University East Bay (Permit No. 2081(a)-20-002-R pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a project to sequence and annotate DNA of Arctostaphylos densiflora, a state-listed endangered plant, and conduct an ecological analysis of the species’ habitat. Project activities include genetic sequencing, soil seedbank analysis, germination tests, and identification of seed predators. Five to ten flowers or one gram of material and a single leaf will be collected from each plant in the population and genomic DNA will be sequenced and assembled in the Green Biome Institute research laboratory. For soil seedbank analysis, a total of eight soil samples will be collected from beneath the canopy of different Arctostaphylos densiflora plants. The soil samples will be analyzed to determine the parent material and nutrient content and will be used for germination testing. Following analysis, any residual soils will be bagged and kept in dry storage at the Green Biome Institute. Germination testing will also be conducted from seeds collected from individual plants. Five to ten ripe fruits, each containing one to several seeds, will be collected from each plant in the population, and the seeds will be cold
stratified and tested for germination in the Green Biome Institute research laboratory. Only half of the collected seed will be used for germination testing, and the remaining seed will be stored in the Green Biome Institute’s sub-zero freezer for future testing if the initial germination study is unsuccessful. To identify seed predators of Arctostaphylos densiflora, two camera traps will be installed under the shrub canopy using small metal stakes, and data will be collected bi-weekly from August to October in 2020 or 2021.
Contact Information
Name
Cherilyn Burton
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
Dr. Christopher Baysdorfer, Director, Green Biome Institute
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Northern California
Schools
California State University East Bay Campus in Hayward
Other Location Info
California Native Plant Society’s Vine Hill Preserve in western Sonoma County, California. Studies will take place at the Green Biome Institute research laboratory on the California State University East Bay Campus in Hayward, California.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15306, Class 6
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of basic data collection, research and resource evaluation
activities and will not result in a serious disturbance to Arctostaphylos densiflora or any other environmental resource. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Arctostaphylos densiflora are not impacted.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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