Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

Plant Research

Vegetation in the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve is extremely varied, changing subtly as aspects of the microhabitat. The BCCER includes about 4000 acres ranging in elevation from 700 feet to 2,044 feet and including three major geologic formations, a trout stream, numerous perennial and intermittent tributaries, springs, seeps, riparian areas, forests, woodlands, chaparral, grasslands, and rock cliffs. These diverse habitats support more than 600 plant species. Research and monitoring on the BCCER includes long-term monitoring of experimental methods of yellow starthistle and other invasive plant removal by mowing, burning, and mechanical methods, and restoration of native grasses.

Aslan, Clare, 2010: Implications of newly-formed seed-dispersal mutualisms between birds and introduced plants in northern California, USA (PDF) (PDF)

Bergmann, Jean-Phillipe, 2013: Prezygotic Reproductive Isolation Between  Mimulus guttatus and  Mimulus glaucescens (PDF) (PDF)

Habecker, Nicole, 2012: Ecogeographical and Intrinsic Postzygotic Isolation Between  Mimulus guttatus and  Mimulus glaucescens (PDF) (JPG)

Hankins, Don, 2015: Restoring Indigenous Fire to California Oak Woodlands (PDF) (PDF)

Linden, 1999: Correlation Between Habitat Characteristics and Native Perennial Grass Species (PDF) (PDF)

Maslin, Paul: Blue Oak Age and Growth in the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (PDF) (PDF)

Mills, Jason, 2015: Reestablishing the Competitive Hierarchy in an Invaded California Grassland through the Process of Habitat Restoration Following a Prescribed Burn (PDF) (PDF)

Rizzo, Abigail, 2012: Vegetation Management Plan: Butte Creek and Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve Complex (PDF) (PDF)