Distribution and Impacts of Black Mustard Within the Gold Creek Nature Preserve, Sylmar, California

Keywords: fire, invasive vegetation, black mustard
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

In fire-prone regions like Southern California, perennial native flora adapts to these constant events which occur in their native environments and build somewhat of a natural resistance and use these burn events for their natural germination cycle. The introduction of non-native annuals means these slow sprouting perennials have a new competitor. Brassica nigra (black mustard) has been observed to not have the same symbiotic relationship with soil fungi as native perennials do. Following a fire event, resources which native perennials need for their germination processes are not present, leading to a slow start following these events. With this, black mustard can rapidly outpace native perennials. Black mustard also strips the soil of vital nutrients as it quickly spreads far and sprouts high, requiring more water and nutrients the more it grows and spreads.
The spatial extent of invasive vegetation can be easily monitored with the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS’s) which can also be equipped with various sensors for a remote sensing approach of analysis. Ground measurements are also vital in recording physical measurements such as height, location, and area coverage. This point data can be used for statistical and spatial analyses to unravel and explore spatial trends within a dataset.
The monitoring and understanding of invasive vegetative species within ever-growing post-fire environments in places such as Southern California, where this study is focused, is vital to maintaining native ecosystems and resources, as well as protect people from increasingly intense and dangerous wildland fires.