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