Laguna de Santa Rosa
Map SatelliteThis area includes the flood plain of the Laguna de Santa Rosa, a sluggish, intermittent stream which along its course supports a variety of habitats, including vernally wet areas, permanent sedge bogs, springs, seepages, mudflats, wet-ground thickets and freshwater marshes. In the uplands there is an oak savannah and grassland, with valley oak, Quercus lobata.
Four rare plants are found in the area: Blennosperma bakeri, Lasthenia burkei, Limnanthes vinculans and Perideridia gairdneri ssp. gairdneri. Other species found here include Marsilea mucronata, the non-native Alisma lanceolatum, Glyceria elata, Eleocharis pauciflora, Scirpus fluviatilis, Carex hassei, Elatine heterandra, Sium suave, Navarretia leucocephala ssp. bakeri and Navarretia cotulifolia.
The area is extensively used by birds, with over 220 species recorded. During the migratory season numerous ducks and shorebirds occur here.
Integrity: Portions of the area have been severely impacted by agricultural use; there are roads and buildings in the area, as well as an aqueduct. Portions have been channeled.
Use: Private, though some portions are in public ownership.
December 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman