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>Map >Satellite Three main plant communities occur in this area which is situated at the northern end of the Samoa Peninsula and runs from the ocean to the Mad River Slough. From west to east, they are unstable dunes, stable dunes and salt marsh.
In the unstable dunes the dominant species are European beachgrass, Ammophila arenaria, bush lupine, Lupinus arboreus, and beach strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis. Shore pine, Pinus contorta, California huckleberry, Vaccinium ovatum, and bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, are dominant in the stable dunes. Piperia elegans occurs here also.
The salt marsh consists primarily of salt grass, Distichlis spicata, and pickleweed, Salicornia virginica.
Additionally, in the stable dunes, there is some freshwater marsh.
A variety of wildlife is found in the area. Red crossbills, Loxia curvirostra , have been observed here.
Integrity: Though there are trails, the area is relatively undisturbed. It has been proposed as an ecological reserve.
Use: Research, educational, observational. Some private.
August 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2008 Steven Louis Hartman
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