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Map Satellite Olema Marsh, one of the better freshwater marshes in the County, supports an abundant and diverse flora and fauna.
Cattails, Typha latifolia, and tules, Scirpus americanus and Scirpus californicus, the latter nearing its northern distributional limit in the Coast Ranges, are among the more conspicuous plants. Others include Bidens cernua var. cernua, the only known site for this species in the County, Carex vesicaria var. major, Polygonum punctatum, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Azolla filiculoides and Sparganium erectum ssp. stoloniferum.
Over 150 species of birds have been observed in the marsh. Among the more noteworthy are the sora, Porzana carolina, and the Virginia rail, Rallus limicola. Western pond turtles, Clemmys marmorata, are relatively abundant here.
The marsh lies in the San Andreas Rift Zone.
Integrity: Nearby roads and horse trails have caused some damage, but the marsh is essentially in very good condition.
Use: Private
Ref: Small, John, 1972. The Birds of Tomales Bay. Tomales Bay Study, Compendium of Reports. Cons. Foundation, Washington, D. C., pp. 124-41.
February 1978
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2008 Steven Louis Hartman
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