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Archived Workshops/References

Maritime Chaparral

Description

Several years after its natural fire cycle, maritime chaparral is once again dominated by woody shrubs such as manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp.) and California lilac (Ceanothus spp.). This rare habitat is found only in areas with a predominance of summer fog; often patches of maritime chaparral only a few 10's of miles away have their own distinct manzanita species.

Maritime chaparral is considered a threatened habitat type, and so is protected by many agencies along the coast of California. For instance, the California Coastal Commission considers areas of this habitat type 'environmentally sensitive habitat areas' (ESHA), affording it the highest level of protection of any habitat in California.

Many rare plant and animal species are only found in these patches of habitat; most require 'renewal' of the habitat by fire. Currently, we are faced with important questions about the composition and distribution of the habitat and how best to conserve it in the face of increasing fragmentation and fire suppression. Our recent surveys suggest that it is impossible to restore maritime chaparral: if you know differently, please contact us!

The Coastal Training Program will continue its focus on maritime chaparral as it is one of the most threatened habitat types of the Elkhorn Slough watershed. We are currently exploring the efficacy of conservation regulations and the potential for new conservation tools such as conservation banks. This website will continue to serve as a hub for information on maritime chaparral ecology, conservation, and restoration.

Training Programs

The Ecology and Conservation of California's Maritime Chaparral Jan 17, 2003
Mitigation-Related Restoration and Management of California's Maritime Chaparral Jan 20, 2005
Defining and Delineating Maritime Chaparral on California's Central Coast Jun 12, 2007
Defining and Delineating Maritime Chaparral...in the Field Jun 13, 2007
Orienting Monterey County Planners to the North County Oct 18, 2007

Documents and Publications

TITLE
DATE ADDED
AUTHOR
SOURCE
DESCRIPTION
WORKSHOP MATERIALS
Listed species of maritime chaparral (excluding Arctostaphylos)
PDF, 14KB
Jun 14 07
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
June 2007
Maritime chaparral common species
PDF, 13KB
Jun 14 07
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
June 2007
Maritime chaparral manzanitas
PDF, 13KB
Jun 14 07
Mike Vasey
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
June 2007
Protecting Rare Plant Communities Using the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
PDF, 625KB
Jun 11 07
Keith Wagner
Fremontia 34(4):11-15
October 2006
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Are long fire-free periods needed to maintain the endangered, fire-recruiting shrub Arctostaphylos morroensis(Ericaceae)?
PDF, 259KB
Jun 30 05
Odion, D. and C. Tyler
Conservation Ecology, 6(2):4
2002
Influence of summer marine fog and low cloud stratus on water relations of evergreen woody shrubs (Arctostaphylos: Ericaceae) in the chaparral of central California
PDF, 538KB
Jun 13 13
Michael C. Vasey Michael E. Loik V. Thomas Parker
Oecologia 170:325-337
2012
Because rare seeders in maritime chaparral are more vulnerable to xylem cavitation than interior seeders, the potential breakdown of the summer marine layer along the coast is of potential conservation concern.
Maritime chaparral community transition in the absence of fire.
PDF, 248KB
Jun 30 05
Van Dyke, E., K. D. Holl, and J. R. Griffin
Madrono 48:221-229
2001
Relative Importance of Factors Contributing to Postfire Seedling Establishment in Maritime Chaparral.
PDF, 2MB
Aug 09 05
Tyler, C.
Ecology 77(7):2182-2195
1996
This paper explores factors contributing to the emergence of maritime chaparral species after fire.
Roots of chaparral shrubs fail to penetrate a geosynthetic landfill liner.
PDF, 589KB
Jun 30 05
Holl, K. D.
Ecological restoration 20(2):112-116
2002
OTHER INFORMATION
A Proposed Recipe for Mitigation-Restoration of Maritime Chaparral
PDF, 51KB
Jun 30 05

Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
Bibliography: Maritime Chaparral
PDF, 18KB
Jul 21 05
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
2003
CDFG Natural Communities List
PDF, 407KB
Jun 10 07
California Department of Fish and Game
CDFG
2003
Guidelines for Preparation of Biological Reports
PDF, 37KB
Oct 15 07
San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning and Building, Environmental Division
These guidelines are for potential use as policy by other counties in order to assist with planning process.
Influence of the Summer Marine Layer on Maritime Chaparral and Implications for Conservation Policy in the California Coastal Zone
PDF, 7.7MB
Jun 13 13
Vasey, M.C
Environmental Studies, UCSC
June 2012
Doctoral dissertation on California's maritime chaparral- definition, distribution, ecophysiology, and policy implications.
Map: Extent of Maritime Chaparral in California
JPG, 2MB
Jun 30 05

Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
This is a DRAFT map of the distribution of maritime chaparral in California. Recent input from leading scientists indicate that additional stands are found in Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino Counties. We will be updating this map shortly.
Map: Extent of Maritime Chaparral in Monterey Bay
JPG, 128KB
Jun 30 05

Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
This is a DRAFT map of the distribution of maritime chaparral in the Monterey Bay region. If you have additional locations or would like to comment on the map, please contact grey@elkhornslough.org
Mapping the Distribution of Maritime Chaparral Species in the Monterey Bay Area
PDF, 2.4MB
Aug 09 05
Van Dyke, E. and Holl, K.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
2003
This is a report produced for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service documenting the known distribution of sensitive maritime chaparral plant species in the Monterey Bay region.
Proposed Definition Of Maritime Chaparral
PDF, 45KB
Jun 30 05
Grey Hayes
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
January 2005
The network of experts advising the Elkhorn Slough CTP have reviewed this document and agree with this current version. It is a working document; we are open to critique and suggestions.
Questions and Answers on Maritime Chaparral
PDF, 265KB
Jun 30 05
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
2003
Sensitive plant species associated with maritime chaparral in California
PDF, 27KB
Jul 17 07
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
2003
Sensitive Species of the Santa Cruz Sandhills
PDF, 201KB
Oct 26 05
Jodi McGraw

04/13/04

Links

TITLE DATE ADDED
Where do I get funding to help preserve rare habitats like maritime chaparral?
http://grants.fws.gov/state.html
Jun 27 05
Santa Cruz Sandhills Chapparral Website
http://www.santacruzsandhills.com/
Sep 15 05