|
Map Satellite With various habitats including open sandy beaches, rocky beach and protected rocky intertidal area, this section of the Monterey Peninsula harbors an unusual variety of plants and animals.
Most noteworthy are the marine algae found in the area, particularly in the northern part. At least 200 species, which is approximately a third of the species known on the West Coast of North America, are found in this relatively small area. Fifteen of these species are found nowhere else.
The sand-covered rocks, with a meadow of surf grass, Phyllospadix spp., provide a habitat for numerous small algae. On the seaward side there are large numbers of brown algae. In the rocky area of the middle reef of Moss Beach there are numerous red algae. In the sandy beach strand two rare plants are found, Erysimum menziesii and Lupinus tidestromii var. tidestromii.
Marine invertebrates are abundant in the area. The fractured granite coast, with protected and unprotected rocky intertidal areas interspersed with sandy beaches, provides a variety of habitat for the animals. Numerous species of snails, crabs, anemones, sea cucumbers, limpets, sponges, sea urchins, abalones, shrimp, starfish, etc., may be observed in the area.
Integrity: Much of the area is protected and the water is comparatively unpolluted.
Use: Private
Ref: Smith, G. M. 1966. Marine Algae of the Monterey Peninsula (2nd ed.). Stanford University Press.
August 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
|
