Transcript Griffith Park Wildlife

Griffith Park Wildlife
Daniel S. Cooper
Cooper Ecological Monitoring, Inc.
Pasadena, California
Park geography
Next exit
Introduction to major habitats
1/4 mi.
Griffith Park critters
1/2 mi.
The Fire of 2007
3/4 mi.
Threats to Griffith Park
1 mi.
GRIFFITH PARK GEOGRAPHY
1
Burbank
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
134 Fwy.
Forest Lawn
L.A. River/ I-5
H’wood Reservoir
101 Fwy.
2
Griffith Park
5
3
4
Hollywood/Los Feliz
MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:
“Southern Mixed Chaparral”
Dominated by evergreen
shrubs, most of which
are found only in
California (Ceanothus,
Toyon, Chamise, Mtn.Mahogany).
Fire-dependent
High species diversity
“Aquired taste”
MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:
“Oak Woodland”
Shady groves in canyons
and terraces along
streams.
Dominated by 1 species
(Coast Live Oak)
Fire-tolerant
Wildlife magnet
People magnet
MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:
“Sycamore Woodland”
Towering trees (Western
Sycamore) along streams
and former stream
courses.
Largely converted to
picnic areas within park.
Fire-damaged
Wildlife magnet (esp.
birds)
People magnet
MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:
“Coastal Sage Scrub”
Low-growing scrubland on
loose, eroding soils;
dominated by species
found only in California.
Fire-maintained, but
destroyed by frequent fire.
High plant, animal
diversity (esp. reptiles and
butterflies).
MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:
“Rock Outcrops”
Unique gardens of lichens
and succulents.
Largely inaccessible (with
a few exceptions).
Poorly-studied.
CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARK:
Reptiles/Amphibians
All widespread terrestrial
Santa Monica Mtns.
species present and
common.
One (?) aquatic species
(Pacific Treefrog)
Still need to determine
status of:
- Side-blotched Lizard
- Western Toad
- Arboreal Salamander
- Coast Horned Lizard
- “Rare snakes”
Striped Racer, Western Whiptail Pacific Treefrog,
CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARK:
Mammals
All widespread large and
mid-sized mammals of
Santa Monica Mtns.
species resident (except
Mountain Lion)
Populations likely inflated
by feeding, dumping, and
landscaping.
Still need to determine
status of most/all small
mammals (e.g. mice,
shrews)
Bobcat, Gray Fox, Raccoon
CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARK:
Birds
Most bird species of Santa
Monica Mtns. present in
proper habitat.
# of riparian birds along
canyons depressed; likely
due to degraded habitat.
Limited “infiltration” of
urban birds into park
interior (= a good thing!)
Purple Finch, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Western Bluebird
CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARK
Plants
Humboldt Lily
Brush/Spring Cyn.
c. 20 plants in park
(Clockwise, from
upper left):
Leptodactylon
californicum,
Clarkia bottae,
Dudleya lanceolata,
Keckiella cordifolia
Eastern extension of
Santa Monica Mtns.
Locally-rare species
scattered; along streams,
on rock outcrops, within
dry scrub, etc.
Native flora historically
viewed as “problem,” fixed
through planting exotics.
Research ongoing (R.
Fisher, City of L.A.)
SENSITIVE SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARK
WILDLIFE (per DFG)
“Ashy” Rufous-crowned Sparrow - Arid slopes and roadcuts, esp.
buckwheat. 20+ pairs in park.
Yellow Warbler - 5+ pairs nest in willows along L.A. River channel.
California Legless-Lizard - recorded vic. L.A. Zoo in sandy soil; #s?
Coastal Western Whiptail - Arid scrub; 100s in park.
Coast Horned Lizard - Historical only?
PLANTS (per CNPS)
Calandrinia breweri - historical records from Vermont Cyn. (pictured)
Lilium humboldtii - Fern, Brush Cyns.
Berberis nevinii - probably derived from planted individuals
And, possibly 18 others known from eastern Sta. Monica Mtns.
The Fire of 2007 - assessing the effects
Most/all habitat types
affected
No unique habitat affected
800+ acres transformed
(not “lost”)
Wake-up call
THREATS TO WILDLIFE AND HABITATS
Identify:
“problem spots”
“problem forces”
Popular trailheads
Interior picnic areas
Exotic/Invasive species
Off-leash dogs
THANKS!
Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council
Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks
City of Los Angeles
Franklin Hills Residents Association
Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council
Paul Mathewson, Stephanie Spehar, Martin Byhower
(fieldwork)