Pygmy Forest A1

While dwarfing is not a rarity in nature, the pygmy forest is unique in that it is the culmination of an uninterrupted ecosystem evolution that began in the mid or early Pleistocene. In the pygmy forest belt, dwarfing occurs on the Blacklock and Aborigine soils and, to a lesser extent, on the Noyo soil. The forest is species-poor and, in extreme cases, up to 25% of the ground is barren or colonized by lichens.

Only two trees, both dwarfed, grow in the Blacklock and Aborigine soils, the Mendocino cypress, Cupressus pygmaea, and the Bolander pine, Pinus contorta ssp. bolanderi. The latter is generally confined to these soils and at 100 years of age may be only 2 -3 meters (6 - 10 feet) tall. Both species are capable of normal growth under more favorable conditions. A 90-year-old cypress on rich soil may have a diameter of 20 centimeters (8 inches) compared to a 3.75-centimeter (1.5-inch) diameter pygmy of the same age.

Also found in a dwarfed state-in the extremely acidic soils are several ericaceous shrubs, Fort Bragg manzanita, Arctostaphylos nummularia, hairy manzanita, Arctostaphylos columbiana, salal, Gaultheria shallon, Labrador tea, Ledum glandulosum, rose-bay, Rhododendron macrophyllum, and huckleberry, Vaccinium ovatum. The hemi-parasitic paintbrush, Castilleja affinis, may be associated with the manzanitas. The two trees and the Arctostaphylos nummularia are endemic to the general area.

On the deeper soils, particularly the Noyo, the Bishop pine, Pinus muricata, is the dominant tree, though the cypress and an occasional stunted redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, are also found here. Other plants growing in association with the pine include golden chinquapin, Chrysophylla chrysophylla var. minor, Navarro ceanothus, Ceanothus gloriosus var. exaltatus, Oregon gentian, Gentiana affinis var. ovata, dwarf tanbark oak, Lithocarpus densiflora var. echinoides, and yerba de selva, Whipplea modesta.

The fauna of the Pygmy Forest is noteworthy for its paucity: the high acidity of the soil is not conducive to soil animals, and the lack of shelter and forage discourages surface animals. Two insects, the Mendocino cypress beetle and Heifer's weevil, do inhabit the area.

Pygmy Forest A1 is the only "pre-pygmy" forest extant on Noyo and Blacklock soil on the second terrace. Though stunted, the vegetation is less so than in the true Pygmy Forest.

Integrity: Houses on fringes of the forest and some within threaten its continued existence.

Use: Private

Ref: Jenny, Hans, R. J. Arkley and A. M. Schultz, 1969. The pygmy forest-podsol ecosystem and its dune associates of the Mendocino Coast. Madrorno Vol. 20, pp. 60-74.

Fox, W. W. 1976. Pygmy Forest: An Ecologic Staircase, Calif. Geol. Vol. 29, pp. 3-7.

May 1976