Grassland Conservation Study in Cannabis-impacted areas of the Eel River Watershed

the project involves studying the impact of cannabis cultivation on the diversity of native grasses, soil dwelling anthropods and soil microbiota in grassland habitats, and testing the capacity of three native grasses to re-establish below-ground biodiversity in abandoned cannabis cultivation sites. The project is part of the California Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Framework (CEMAF) developed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and involves establishing 12 study plots – six on cannabis-impacted sites and six on non-cannabis-impacted areas within Angelo Coast Range Reserve. The study plots are located on land and each will have a CEMAF monitoring station installed, consisting of two sound recorders, a trail camera and a knee-high perimeter wildlife-friendly drift fence. Soil at each study site will be extracted every two months between April and October for two years. All materials will be removed at the end of the two-year project. The six cannabis-impacted study sites will be located on private property and the six undisturbed sites will be located on the 4,450-acre Angelo Coast Range Reserve, which is managed by the University of California, Berkeley for research and teaching about watersheds and natural ecosystems. The goal of the project is threefold: 1) to quantify impacts of cannabis cultivation on native biodiversity; 2) gather data necessary to inform future restoration strategies; and 3) increase engagement with community members and partner organizations focused on grassland ecosystem conservation and awareness.