Habitat restoration is no small feat: it requires years of monitoring and constant effort to repair and maintain a healthy restored habitat. Monitoring the performance of a restored area not only includes sampling for macroinvertebrates (see Focus on fish food) and assessing salmonid populations (see Who's at home?), but propagating vegetation as well.  

Vegetation survival is important to the growth and survival of reintroduced native wildlife in turn, since native plant species help provide appropriate habitat for both riverine and terrestrial animals. The species reintroduced to the Honolulu Bar restoration site shown above are typically found in riparian habitats occurring throughout the Central Valley.

The FISHBIO technician seen above is broadcasting a mix of seeds native to Californian riparian habitats. This mix of western goldenrod, evening primrose, gumplant, and others will play an important role in establishing an effective ground cover to keep invasive species from overtaking the area. In addition to the scattered seeds, plugs of creeping rush and Santa Barbara sedge were planted intermittently throughout the floodplain.  

The seeds and cuttings lay the groundwork for an appropriate vegetation structure that provides food and cover for terrestrial species, and helps protect the floodplain from excess erosion and changes to its physical characteristics.