Dwarfed Bishop Pine Forest

Along the California coast podzolic soils (see Pygmy Forest Ecological Staircase) occur in several localities, particularly in Mendocino County, isolated occurrences in Sonoma (see Sonoma Pygmy Cypress Stand), and here in Marin and elsewhere.

Within this area are several plant communities, a closed-cone pine forest, coastal prairie and chaparral. In the closed-cone pine forest the Bishop pine, Pinus muricata, occurs primarily on the podzolic soil and exhibits the characteristic dwarfing; however, these trees are not as stunted as many in the Mendocino pygmy forests.

Also within the area are several rare plants, Arctostaphylos virgata and Ceanothus gloriosus. Additionally, there are some exceptionally large toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia.

Animal life is typical of the central northern California coast; however, two introduced Eurasian deer, fallow deer, Dama dama, and axis deer, Axis axis, may be sighted in the area.

Integrity: The area is traversed by a jeep road and portions have been grazed in the past but much of it is relatively undisturbed.

Use: Research, educational, observational

Ref: Van Cleve, Keith, 1960. A Study of the Nitrogen Economy of Bishop Pine (Pinus muricata) Stands of Various Ages. Unpub. PhD. Thesis, School of Forestry, University of California, Berkeley.

September 1975