Lambie Road - Denverton Grassland and Vernal Pools
Map SatelliteA large acreage of a native Central Valley upland bunchgrass community with associated vernal pools, both features which have been virtually extirpated in the Valley, makes this an important site. The area includes three drainage systems and it adjoins Suisun Marsh habitats, forming a continuum with that ecosystem. The entire community is the endangered element at this site.
Here the purple needlegrass, Nassella pulchra, which was once the dominant cover over much of the State's unforested land, is found in comparative abundance--perhaps up to 15% of the cover! Other native grasses found on the site include Poa scabrella and Melica californica. There are additional introduced grasses such as Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta.
Of the 90-odd species recorded here, a number are restricted to the vernal pools including the Downingia species, Downingia concolor, Downingia insignis, and Downingia pusilla, and Psilocarphus brevissimus, Psilocarphus oregonus, and Psilocarphus tenellus.
Among the noteworthy animal populations are the uncommon ground cricket, Stenopalmatus pictus, and several species of grass moths, Crambus ssp., some possibly new to science. Burrowing owls, Speotyto cunicularia, are present.
Integrity: This area has been grazed for a number of years and portions are heavily overgrazed, with the result that the native grasses are being forced out. The area has been under consideration for preservation, and with proper management the characteristic grassland could be restored.
Use: Private.
Ref: Adams, Michael S., 1964. Ecology of Stipa pulchra with Special Reference to Certain Soil Characteristics. M.S. Thesis, University of California, Davis.
Lin, Joseph Wen Yao, 1970. Succession in Vernal Pools. Floristics and Plant M.S. Thesis, San Francisco State University, Biology Department.
August 1982
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman