Prescott Creeks-Watson Woods: Inventory and Monitoring

Flora

A vegetation characterization of the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, Yavapai County, Arizona was conducted between March 27th, 1997 and March 1, 1998. The primary goal of the study was to describe the nature of the existing vegetation by estimating foliar-height, distribution for perennial species, recording trunk diameters, estimating percent cover for annual species, mapping plant associations, cataloguing vascular plant taxa, and collecting plant specimens. The purpose of the specimens was to serve as scientific vouchers and to create a local herbarium.

Vegetation Map

Transect Graph

Vegetation Report Graph

Example
Transect Graph

Download the complete Watson Woods vegetation plant list PDF

Herpetofauna

Reptiles and amphibians are important components of riparian ecosystems. They are predators of insects, fishes, small mammals, birds, and each other. They are favored prey items for riparian birds such as common black-hawks and zone-tailed hawks. They and their eggs are also eaten by many other bird species, fish, and mammals, including skunks, badgers, coyotes, foxes, and ringtail cats. Herpetofauna are particularly sensitive to habitat alteration due to their limited mobility.

Many species are dependent on permanent water and thus may be considered indicator species of the ecological "health" of any given riparian area.

Snakes Location Map

Sampling Sites
Map

Lizards Location
Map

Captures by Habitat Graph

Amphibian and Desert Shrew Location Map

Download the complete Watson Woods Herpetological Interpretive Guide PDF

Download the Watson Woods Herpetological Check List PDF

Hydrology

Along with detailed inventories of plants and animals, Prescott Creeks also wanted to collect data on the quantity of underground water at the preserve. A healthy riparian ecosystem relies on both surface and ground water. Prescott Creeks knew that a network of permanent monitoring wells would be the logical tool to monitor this resource.

In early 1997, eight shallow groundwater monitoring wells were installed in
Watson Woods Riparian Preserve for the purpose of long-term observation of
water level and water quality.

Since April 2004, water levels in these monitoring wells have been measured weekly by Prescott Creeks volunteers. Depth to water measurements made on each well were referenced to the top of the steel protective casing. Depth to water data from field data sheets were converted to groundwater elevation and archived in spreadsheet files.

In addition to the manual data, submersible smart sensors are deployed in 4 monitoring wells that record water level and temperature on a more frequent interval. These sensors were deployed in late 2004 and have been useful in documenting the storm events of December 2004 as well as the monsoon season of 2005.

Ground Water Monitoring Well

Submersible Smart Sensor

Ground water levels in 2004-2005

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Watson Woods Monitoring Wells

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Download the full Upper Granite Creek Watershed Monitoring Plan PDF

(Excerpt from Watson Woods Comprehensive Plan 1996)

Inventory and Monitoring Plan Goals

The goals of the Inventory and Monitoring Plan are to generate information and procedures that will supply the Management, Education, and Restoration Programs with information about the physical and biological resources of Watson Woods Riparian Preserve.

Inventory and Monitoring Philosophy/Definitions

The Plan contains more recommendations for inventory studies than for monitoring plans. The lack of baseline information on the physical and biological resources of the Preserve emphasizes the importance of gathering this information. The studies suggested below are essential to gaining a basic understanding of the Preserve's habitats and organisms. This information can facilitate implementation of the Preserve's objectives. If any baseline studies are replicated at a future date, they become de facto monitoring studies. Decisions to replicate any of these studies should be based on defined outcome objectives related to particular management considerations.

“Inventory” is defined as the process of measuring various parameters of a resource in a management area. These parameters include: what kinds of resources are present, how many there are, where they are located, and when they are present or actively functioning (daily, seasonally, annually). These measurements provide baseline values as references for similar measurements taken at a later time.

Monitoring consists of observing and recording specific parameters over extended periods of time in order to detect changes from their initial values. This is usually followed by interpretation of the changes' significance, with reference to particular management objectives.

Methodologies for study of the Preserve’s resources are provided. These are the most current and common methods being used in similar studies today. Adaptations will likely need to occur in applying these methods specifically to Watson Woods. (See Appendix H - Methodological Resources.)

How the Inventory and Monitoring Plan Relates to the Comprehensive Plan

The Inventory and Monitoring Plan interfaces with the Management, Education, and Restoration Programs by providing necessary information for their implementation.

1. Management Plan: Decisions about such things as trail placement and designation of sensitive areas will depend largely on data generated by inventories of flora and fauna. Effects of visitors' use such as nature study, photography, and educational activities will require monitoring.

2. Education Plan: Information from inventories will be included in self-guided trail guides and other interpretive materials, and the information will help direct prudent selection of sites for environmental education activities.

3. Restoration Plan: Monitoring plans will be designed as each restoration project is proposed. Habitat enhancement and restoration sites can be identified as more information on physical conditions, biological species, and community composition becomes available.