Mugu Lagoon
Map SatelliteThis is a typical estuary-lagoon habitat with an extensive salt marsh area and is the largest between Morro Bay and San Diego County. It is of particular import as it is the least disturbed of any of the Southern California lagoons.
There are three distinct plant communities represented in addition to the algae of the open water. They include the coastal strand characterized by the sand-verbena, Abronia maritima, Atriplex leucophylla, and Ambrosia chamissonis; the salt marsh dominated by salt grass, Distichlis spicata, pickleweed, Salicornia virginica, and sea-blite, Suaeda californica; and a small fringe of coastal sage scrub with Coreopsis gigantea, Ericameria ericoides, and the California sagebrush, Artemisia californica.
The lagoon is a major stopover point for migratory waterfowl. Over 155 species of birds have been sighted here, including the rare California black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus, and the endangered light-footed clapper rail, Rallus longirostris levipes.
The area is rich in marine and estuarine invertebrates, some of which may not be found in other Southern California lagoons. To the east of the lagoon are cliffs of Miocene shales and sandstones; some sand dune formation has taken place here.
Integrity: The eastern portion is less disturbed than the central or western. The Navy has restricted the use of this area to research.
Use: Research
April 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
