Fort Ross State Historical Park and Vicinity
Map SatelliteThere are several features of biological interest within this area.
Along the coastline there are good examples of exposed and protected rocky-shore habitats, with an abundance of algae and marine invertebrates. Offshore, there is an excellent kelp bed.
Onshore, the main community is a highly disturbed northern coastal scrub. Of particular note is the occurrence of the rare in its native habitat, but now cultivated, Dichondra donnelliana. The rare plant Chorizanthe valida, which was last reported in 1962, occurred here.
Most of the area occupies a Pleistocene marine terrace.
Integrity: The shoreline is relatively undisturbed; however, the blufflands are highly impacted, having been first settled in 1812.
Use: Educational, observational, present.
November 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman