|
Map Satellite Little Black Rock Spring lies at the edge of a body of Pleistocene basalt some 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of Independence. Although recently altered from a spring-fed marsh to a slough fed by running water, it still has biological significance. It is partially surrounded by a sagebrush-scrub community which occupies the lava outcrops. To the east the natural vegetation was alkali scrub and alkali meadow, but it has been severely damaged by burros.
The aquatic community, including a freshwater marsh, is still important. Here is found bulrush, Scirpus acutus, Scirpus maritimus var. paludosus, cattail, Typha latifolia, Juncus oxymeris, Mimulus guttatus, Berula erecta and, along the borders, willow, Salix gooddingii var. variabilis. Several plant species grow in the vicinity that are rarely encountered on the valley floor, Mimulus cardinalis, Thelypodium integrifolium, and a plant near Cordylanthus ramosus in form but its species still to be determined.
The spring is an important source of water for the animals in the surrounding area. The original spring supported Euplanaria dorotocephala and two Hydra, Hydra oligactis and Hydra viridis; however, silting may have caused their demise.
Integrity: Heavy overgrazing by burros has devastated some of the vegetation; this has been abetted by the pumping of water which has caused the spring to stop flowing. The artificial source of water is causing sedimentation.
Use: Research, educational, observational.
October 1976
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2008 Steven Louis Hartman
|
