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Map Satellite This area covers a considerable portion of the Santa Monica Mountains and includes a number of sites treated separately. See Calabasas Peak, Cold Creek, Dark Canyon (West), Fern Creek - Mendenhall Canyon Area, Hepatic Gulch, Lake Enchanto Oak Forest, Lechuza Point, Liberty Canyon, Malibu Canyon, Malibu Gorge and Vicinity, Malibu Lagoon, Point Dume, Solstice Canyon, Topanga and Upper Santa Ynez Canyons, Topanga Fauna Site, La Jolla Valley, Mugu Lagoon and Point Mugu State Park and Vicinity. Vegetation in the area is varied and, though primarily coastal sage scrub, chaparral and oak woodland, also includes salt and freshwater marshes, mixed evergreen forest and riparian, among others. Three rare plants are found in the area: Cordylanthus maritimus ssp. maritimus, Dudleya cymosa ssp. marcescens, and Pentachaeta lyonii. Animal life is rich and typical of the region. The mountain lion, Felis concolor, occurs here, as does the endangered peregrine falcon, Falco peragrinus. There are several perennial, as well as a number of intermittent, streams in the area. Geologically, formations found in the area range in age from the Jurassic Santa Monica slate to recent alluvium, with Miocene marine sedimentaries and volcanics predominant. Integrity: The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area includes virtually pristine area as well as residential developments. Plans call for partial acquisition of the area by the National Park Service. Residential areas will be excluded. Use: Educational, research, observational, present, on public portions. Some private. Ref: Raven, P. and H. J. Thompson. the Santa Monica Mountains. Mimeo.1966. Flora of University of California, Los Angeles. December 1960
Los Angeles
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2005 Steven Louis Hartman |
