a. Native and non-native vegetation

b. Native and non-native fauna

• Amphibians
• Reptiles
• Nursery aquatic life
• Rodents
• Birds
• Mammals

Observational Studies

a. Soil, air, and water temperature and composition as predictive variables for thermal tolerance, thermal optima, and thermal safety margins for target species.  Sea-level rise may be an important global warming variable.

b. Sensitive species nesting habitats (Eucalyptus grove) and threats such as:

• Humans
• Predators
• Food and/or water supply

c. Warner Pond

d. Coastal sage scrub habitat (link between upland and wetland habitats)

• Pygmy blue butterfly
• Coyotes

e. Western Snowy Plover habitat preference

f. Predator-prey interactions

g. Diet as related to species numbers, nesting choice, and food availability

h. Insects

• Pollinators
• As food
• As consumers

Relationship (Associational) Studies

a. Light pollution on migratory birds

b. Watershed (impacts of runoff water in the outer Bolsa bay)

c. Brant geese population numbers relationship to eel grass abundance

d. Ridgway’s Rails habitat preferences

e. Plant-bat interactions

f. Plant-pollinator interactions

g. Predator-rodent interactions (owls, hawks, falcons)

h. Nursery aquatic life-insect interactions

i. Drought-amphibian interactions

j. Amphibian-predator interactions (snakes, wading birds, owls, raptors, coyotes)

k. Water quality and thriftiness of various species

l. Sea-level rise impacts on native flora and fauna

m. Drought impacts on native flora and fauna

Experimental (interventional) Studies

BECAUSE BOLSA CHICA RESERVE IS A PROTECTED HABITAT, EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH INITIATED BY INVESTIGATORS WILL REQUIRE GREATER JUSTIFICATION AND OVERSIGHT.  PLEASE DISCUSS YOUR RESEARCH IDEA WITH BCLT STAFF BEFORE SUBMITTING A STUDY.

a. Some interventions at Bolsa Chica are management introduced.  Studies examining the effects of these interventions are welcomed.  Examples would be studying the effects of BCLT restoration projects on flora/fauna, effects following changes to seawater inlets, and interventions to optimize nursery plant growth.

b. Investigator initiated interventions