students around a giant sequoia

 

BIOL 311 FIELD BOTANY EARTH DAY CLASS POSTER SYMPOSIUM

VALLEY OAK (Quercus lobata):
THE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF A FOUNDATIONAL SPECIES

Michael Kunz, Instructor

 

The Spring 2021 offering of Field Botany focused on the largest and most magnificent plant native to Fresno: Valley Oak (Quercus lobata).  Valley Oaks are emblematic of our region and enhance our environment in multiple ways, yet the magnificent Valley Oak woodlands that once enriched the Central Valley are a vanishing biotic community. The 2021 Earth Day theme of "restoration" aptly applies to the conservation of this magnificent species.

Covid-19 restrictions prevented multi-day class field trips to other parts of California, so we gave our class attention to a local population of this foundational species. East of Fresno near the small town of Centerville and along the Kings River lies undeveloped China Creek County Park. Fresno County has not committed funds to care for this jewel that contains a magnificent population of Valley Oaks. The local Sequoia Chapter of the California Native Plant Society has adopted the park and is maintaining and restoring its native vegetation. FPU Environmental Studies students have been part of the volunteer efforts at maintenance and restoration. The Field Botany class applied several field techniques to study the current health and status of the China Creek Valley Oak population.

Linked below you will find posters describing our class field study regarding the status of this important oak population, as well as a symposium-style collection of review posters summarizing the importance of, threats to, and restoration of our heritage of California oaks and, in particular, our local Valley Oak. We all can play a role in preserving this Central Valley treasure.

-mk

[ADDITIONAL LINKS COMING APRIL 20]

  1. Introduction and Overview (Michael Kunz, Instructor)
  2. The Ecological Significance of California Oaks (Hannah Weaver)
  3. The Cultural Significance of California Oaks (Patrick Timmer)
  4. Valley Oak: An Introduction to a Foundational Species (Taylor Tiner)
  5. Conservation Challenges of Valley Oaks (I): Habitat Loss (Raul Pachinte)
  6. Conservation Challenges of Valley Oaks (II): Regeneration (Michael Mendiola)
  7. Conservation of Challenges of Valley Oaks (III): Hydrology (Caesar Angulo)
  8. Conservation Challenges of Valley Oaks (IV): Climate Change (Emily Acosta)
  9. Valley Oak Preservation and Restoration (Aimee Barrigan)
  10. Size Structure of a Valley Oak Population at China Creek Park, Fresno County (Caesar Angulo & Patrick Timmer)
  11. Tree Ring Growth of a Valley Oak Population at China Creek Park, Fresno Couny (Raul Pachinte; Aimee Barrigan & Emily Acosta)
  12. Age Structure of a Valley Oak Population at China Creek Park, Fresno County (Hannah Weaver & Taylor Tiner)

 

 

 Contact me at mkunz@fresno.edu or Michael.Kunz@fresno.edu