Coastal
California's mild, mediterranean climate and Elkhorn Slough's
steep terrain have combined in our area to create a number of
diverse and rich plant communities. Over 400 terrestrial plant
species make up varied habitats around the slough, which include
(1) fragile sand dunes near the slough's mouth in Moss Landing,
(2) extensive pickleweed marshes along the slough's main channel,
(3) freshwater wetlands near creeks and ponds, (4) expanses of
coastal prairie, (5) shady oak woodlands, (6) coastal sage scrub,
and (7) drought-tolerant maritime chaparral.
Unfortunately,
over 100 of the plant species found in these local habitats
are non-natives, introduced over the last 200 years from Europe
and Asia. Today, volunteers and staff at the Elkhorn Slough
NERR are working to ease the problem of exotic plants on the
Reserve by removing invasive weeds and replacing them with native
species. To date, volunteers have planted many species of native
grasses, hundreds of native annuals and shrubs, and more than
30,000 coast live oaks.
- Introduction
by Andrea Woolfolk
Stewardship Coordinator
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
ESNERR Stewardship Program
Elkhorn Slough Plant
Database
More information
about plants:
California
Vascular Plants
UC
Botanical Garden Links
California
Native Plant Society
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