Fall 2005
Mediterranean Ecosystems: Rare and Threatened Which ecosystem is the more threatened: the bordering the Mediterranean Sea, central Chile, tropical rainforest or California’s Mediterranean the Cape region of South Africa, southwestern and southern Australia, and California Ecosystem? (including part of Oregon and Baja). These areas California’s Mediterranean Ecosystem. are roughly distributed between 30 and 40 It’s the most threatened ecosystem in the world, degrees latitude—north and south, along the disappearing at a faster rate than south and western edges of the rainforest – 3% per year. Along with Rainforest continents where the climate is Crunch, maybe Ben and moderated by cold offshore To understand why this is so, Jerry should also be we need first to locate and define selling Chaparral Chunks ocean currents. and Chewies. Mediterranean Ecosystems (ME). These areas are characterized by Simply put, this ecosystem mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. occurs in five small areas of the world: the area Rainfall can vary significantly; (cont. on Pg 4) Inside this issue…. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
Feature Story What’s so special about Mediterranean Ecosystems Greetings from the MRCA From the Editor Feature Story cont. Cyberteer Bus Access to our Parklands Volunteers Make a Difference Volunteer Recruitment Volunteer Happenings Featured Plant and Animal Science News You Can Use And How You Can Use It For Parents and Educators Region 8 Workshop Ask the Naturalist Parks in the News Notes from the Field Photo Gallery
California Quail. Photograph by John Grogan
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What ‘s so special about Mediterranean Ecosystems….. Do you every feel like you live on an island? Some people are calling this place a “hotspot.” You may be thinking you are watching the Travel Channel’s new show on Southern California called “HOT SPOT” with its beaches, beautiful people, parties by the pool, and action 24/7. You’re not; these people are conservationists talking about the threats to the rich and irreplaceable biodiversity found in our area. There really aren’t too many places on earth like it. Bi ∙ ome: n Regional ecosystems across the planet where distinct types of vegetation, animals and microbes develop under specific soil and climate conditions.
Mediterranean ecosystems are all connected in special ways. Remember, they are only found in five locations on
California, our Mediterranean ecosystem is referred to as the California Floristic Province, which includes the Southern California coastal mountains. According to Conservation International, “Of nearly 3,500 species of vascular plants in the hotspot, more than 2,120 (61 percent) are found nowhere else in the world.” They also state that there are 18 endemic species of mammals, 8 species of birds, 25 species of amphibians, and 15 species of freshwater fishes .
Here in the Los Angeles area, plants making their last and only stand include: Lyon’s pentacheata, Conejo dudleya, Santa Susana tarplant and Malibu baccharis. But there are bright spots; Plummer’s Mariposa Lily has been upgraded to a “species of concern,” due in part to the habitat we and others have acquired. Plummerʹs Mariposa Lily is a “Species of
View of Santa Monica Mountains
the planet. They are all adapted to fire and drought. They feel island‐like because they are all on the south and western edges of continents where mild rainy winters and warm dry summers are tempered by cold ocean currents offshore. You are surrounded by one rare and small world biome. It makes up only 5% of biomes on the entire planet! Only 2.25% of the earth’s land area experiences a Mediterranean climate. Even though the regions share traits, each Mediterranean zone differs in what actually makes up the plant and animal communities. Here in Southern California the plant communities of oak woodland, riparian woodland, oak savanna, grassland, coastal scrub, and chaparral contain a variety of life.
Still feeling island rhythms? Because of this ecosystem’s extent and isolation, each area in the biome has plants and animals that are endemic, or only found in that region. In Symbiosis Fall 2005 Page 2
Concern.” Few are found outside this area. Many people Photo by MRCA volunteer Steve Ioerger. live and visit these areas for their near perfect weather, beaches, mountains, and beauty. Only 18% of the Mediterranean climate region remains undisturbed. One day, we may see ourselves on the Travel Channel about how we as a community protected one of these five climate regions in effort to ensure global biodiversity. It may even be called “The Last Mediterranean Hot Spot..”
Contributed by Kristen Perry Where can you find these endangered plants in our parkland?
Lyon’s pentacheata ‐ Westlake Vista property Conejo dudleya ‐ Circle X Ranch, Conejo Open Space Conservation Agencyʹs Arroyo Conejo and CRPDʹs Wildwood Park Santa Susana tarplant ‐ Rocky Peak, Sage and Joughin Ranch Malibu baccharis ‐ King Gillette/Soka Plummer’s Mariposa Lily ‐ Sage Ranch, Santa Clarita Woodlands
Greetings from the MRCA. . . Dear Friends ‐ Summertime. Roasting marshmallows at a campfire; twilight hikes after the heat begins to fade; early morning jogs while the birds are out. I hope you had a chance to experience our many parks and park programs this summer. If you were away, or it was too hot for you ‐ donʹt despair! This fall we have plenty of exciting programs scheduled and the parks start cooling off by mid September. So far in 2005 MRCA staff and volunteers have offered over 250 interpretive programs to school groups, organizations and the general public. When you add in the informal interpretation that is done at a visitor center desk or beside a ranger truck, we end up talking to a lot of people! While we hope that interpretation done on behalf of the MRCA is entertaining and informative there is another purpose behind it as well. These parks belong to the public and part of our mission is to make sure they are accessible ‐ both to the people of the Greater Los Angeles Region as well as visitors from other parts of the state, country and world. Part of accessibility is offering a friendly welcome,
From the Editor….. Our Fall issue is focused on an ecosystem that is as close as your own backyard and as far away as ancient Egypt. The quail you see on our front cover is the State Bird of California. We sometimes see them comically marching along in single file; more often we hear them cry out their distinctive “Chi ‐CAAA‐ Go”. Our California quail are a distant relation of Old World quail. Ancient Egyptians used the quail chick as a hieroglyph, a style of ancient writing as old as 3200 BCE. Both quails have something in common: they are inhabitants of a Mediterranean Ecosystem. As you will learn from these pages, that ecosystem is under threat worldwide. Our Agency has a special role in helping to preserve and protect our local Mediterranean Ecosystem. As an MRCA volunteer, you too have a role to play in educating our visitors about the little‐known treasures to be found in our own backyards.
stewardship tips and interpretive information about our natural and cultural resources. The MRCA staff and volunteers do a great job serving as ambassadors of the park to the visiting public. This month Symbiosis features our unique Mediterranean Eco‐system, lets you know about two transportation programs that make our mountains more accessible to the public and, of course, highlights the good work of our volunteers. I hope you enjoy this issue. Now go outside and play! Michael D. “Mike” Berger, Chair Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority
One final note: sometimes gifts arrive unexpectedly from a surprising source. Take for example our cover photo of a California Quail. The photographer and I have been friends since our high‐tech days working together in Silicon Valley. I distinctly remember him helping me out his sports car when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant. That baby will turn 21 in November. John still works in Silicon Valley as an Engineering Program Manager but loves to spend time outdoors. When he sent me this photo recently he wrote, “I think this is the best wildlife shot that Iʹve ever taken.” I agree. It gives me pleasure to share it with you.
Wendy Langhans 31 0‐858‐7272 x 115 Wendy.langhans@mrca.ca.gov Page 3
Mediterranean Ecosystem (from pg. 1)…..
Sometimes here will be several years of drought and sometimes there will be heavy rains with floods and mudslides. Another common characteristic is fire adaptation; these areas have evolved to thrive because of fire, not in spite of it.
Having located and characterized an ME, the next step is to understand the types of threats they face. For the sake of simplicity, I will group these threats into three types.
Habitat loss and fragmentation. Because of their mild climate and ample resources, ME’s have been inhabited by humans for thousand of years. But recently, rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization has resulted in urban sprawl with loss and fragmentation of natural habitats.
In the past 25 years, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has protected over 55,000 acres of parkland, the most recent acquisition being King Gillette Ranch/Soka. But numbers alone don’t tell the entire story. Quality is as important as quantity. Some habitats are home to sensitive or endangered species; these parcels are an acquisition priority. Other priorities are parcels that create linkages between habitats ‐ what we call wildlife corridors. Refer to Dr. Bowen’s digital map on page 5. See if you can identify where you think these critical linkage points are located.
Fire Return Interval and Hazard Fuel Reduction. We live in a fire‐adapted ecosystem, with a natural interval of 30‐150 years between fires. As our population has grown, this interval has decreased, leading to what ecologists call “type conversion” from chaparral to non‐native grasslands. Grasslands do not control erosion as well as chaparral, which leads to increased soil erosion, decline in water quality, and reduced groundwater infiltration. Also, wildland fires along the wildland‐urban interface can be quite destructive; proactive fire control is a controversial issue. If fires are suppressed, fuel builds up and makes the inevitable human‐caused or natural fire harder to stop. If fires are allowed to burn, properties could be threatened.
ridgelines or box canyons. These are the worst places for homes because, in the event of a fire, these topographic features serve as a fire funnel. In addition, we are constantly clearing brush along the urban edges of our parklands to minimize the risk of accidental fire and to protect neighboring structures.
Water Quality. Controlling the top of the watershed is vital to controlling water quality downstream. For example, our Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve is the headwaters of Malibu Creek, which flows into Malibu Lagoon. In our Santa Clarita Woodlands Park, Towsley Creek flows into the Santa Clara River, one of two natural river systems remaining in Southern California. We are also involved in developing a land protection plan for the upper Santa Clara River between the San Gabriel and Castaic ranges.
Stream restoration along the Los Angles River is another area of activity. We are partners with LA County DPW in the “Greenway Project”. We are also involved in riparian habitat restoration in the Upper Malibu Creek Watershed.
Our agency does not work alone; we partner with local and international organizations. Locally we work with the National Park Service and other state, city and county agencies to identify, prioritize and protect habitats. Internationally, we cooperate with other organizations such as the World Commission on Protected Areas of IUCN ‐ The World Conservation Union. SMMC Executive Director Joseph Edmiston was a key participant at that 5th World Park Conference in South Africa in 2003. In March, 2004, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy hosted Med‐5: A Workshop to Design an Intercontinental Program on Cities and Conservation in Mediterranean‐type Ecosystems.
As volunteers, it is helpful for you understand what steps to we are taking preserve and restore what remains of our local Mediterranean Ecosystem. The more you know about what we do, the more you can help us educate the people who visit us ‐ our families, friends and neighbors.
Many of our agency employees are trained and experienced wild‐land firefighters or function as support personnel. We also deal with the threat of fire in less obvious ways. For example, some of our property contains saddleback
They say “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Maybe that’s why the rainforests get so much press, while we often fail to recognize the treasures at risk in our own backyard. Along with Rainforest Crunch, maybe Ben and Jerry should also be selling Chaparral Chunks and Chewies.
Symbiosis Fall 2005 Page 4
and Science section, there is more information about our local Mediterranean Ecosystem, including the Mediterranean Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network.
Cyberteer…..
The five Mediterranean climate regions comprise
only about 2% of the earth’s land area but account for 16% of the plant species. Here are some websites to help you get better acquainted with the Mediterranean climate and the life it supports.
http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/climate
“Plant Life in the Worldʹs Mediterranean Climates”.
www.interenvironment.org/med‐5/index.htm
This site contains detailed maps, beautiful photos and features excerpts from Peter Dallmanʹs inspirational
The World Conservation Union, (or IUCN ‐The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources), has a website specifically devoted to Mediterranean Ecosystems. Informative and easy to navigate, this website provides a full background paper, as well as in‐depth information about our local environment, including the Malibu Declaration.
http://www.nps.gov/samo/index.htm
The National Park Service has a website for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. In the Nature
http://cnps.org/
Closer to home, the California Native Plant Society website includes a Manual for California Vegetation, information about rare plants, and beautiful photography.
http;//www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/chaparral/cha parral/shtml
Meet the animals of the Mediterranean Ecosystem. This site provides a print‐out sheet for everything from the Aardvark to the Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly.
View of Santa Monica Mountains. Digital simulation created from numerical satellite data by Dr. William A. Bowen, California Geographical Survey (http://geogdata.csun.edu). Image contained in California Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images (http://130.166.124.2/ca_panorama_atlas/index.html).
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These Parks are Your Parks… For those of us who treasure our mountain parks and beaches it is difficult to imagine living in Los Angeles and not taking advantage of their beauty, restorative qualities and recreational opportunities. But not all people visit parks. Studies on why people don’t visit natural areas often cite transportation as the number one issue. Here in Los Angeles there are thousands of residents who live within a half hour’s drive of a park or open space area, yet have no way to get there. Providing public access to our public lands is part of the mission of both the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) and the MRCA. Access, by our definition, is much more than simply physical entry. True accessibility means that we reach out and bring people in, and when they are here we prove them with informative and enjoyable interpretive programs
tour of Ramirez Canyon and the L.A. Boys and Girls Club, who came for a hike in Franklin Canyon. RTP buses link people to parks and programs ‐ and not just MRCA programs. As long as the group is going to the mountains, we can get them there. Since 1980 approximately three quarters of a million people, most of them urban youth, have visited our public open space on an RTP bus. In the last 12 months the MRCA has arranged for 550 buses to transport over 25,000 people. To learn more call Jamie Cabral at 310‐ 858‐7272 x 134.
Public Resource Code 33204.5: The conservancy shall… implement a program to provide recreational access from downtown Los Angeles and the inner city to the zone in order to provide recreational opportunities for all income and ethnic groups wishing to enjoy the Santa Monica Mountains. While RTP is designed for groups up to 60, this summer the When the SMMC was authorized by the California Conservancy, National Park Service, California State Parks Legislature in 1980 the statute included the above section, and LA County Beaches and Harbors unveiled the new ensuring that the mountains were a resource to the entire parkLINKTM shuttle. With a cost of $1 per trip (children region. One of the many ways that the SMMC has addressed under 12 are free), you can choose from 11 different stops this mandate is with the Recreational Transit Program, which along a loop running from Malibu Creek State Park along is operated for the SMMC by the MRCA. The RTP provides Malibu Canyon Road to the beaches and back to the bus transportation to groups or organizations that otherwise mountains along Kanan Dune Road and Mulholland Hwy. do not have the transportation to visit our mountain parks. The shuttle operates in a counter clockwise direction as well, so you can leave your car at the backbone trailhead, take the shuttle over to another trailhead, and hike back to your car. You can keep your car off the road completely by taking an MTA bus and linking with shuttle at Cross Creek in Malibu, at which point the shuttle is free if you show your MTCA pass. This service makes inland parks such as Paramount Ranch, Peter Strauss and Malibu Creek accessible by public transportation, something all of the agencies have desired for a long time. The Shuttle runs on weekends and holidays from 8 AM to 5 PM and the loop takes about 2 hours to complete. Call 1‐888‐734‐2323 for information or go online to www.parklinkshuttle.com. Examples of groups who used the program this month (Note to volunteers: we have scheduled a parkLINKTM shuttle field include the L.A. Woman’s Center, who went on a garden trip on Oct 15. See Rebecca for details. ‐ Ed.) Symbiosis Fall 2005 Page 6
MRCA Volunteers Make a Difference…www.LAMountains.com Whether it’s being an Interpretive Naturalist providing programs to inner city school children, working as a Nature Center Host, a Campfire Program Interpreter or maintaining and patrolling mountain trails on Horseback or Mountain Bike, all MRCA Volunteers make a difference to the preservation and management of our LA Mountain parks and the enjoyment and education of our park visitors.
MRCA Volunteers In Action (January ‐ August 2005)
MRCA Volunteer Units:
• •
Volunteer Interpretive Naturalists contributed 261 Free Public Programs
Volunteer School Naturalists served 4033 Students
MRCA Total Volunteer hours contributed 7781.5 hours of services
Mountain Bike Unit Volunteers contributed 3432.5 hours of patrol
Mountain Bike Unit Volunteers contributed 476.5 hours of patrol
Volunteers in Franklin Canyon contributed 1586 volunteer hours
Ramirez Canyon Volunteers contributed 150 hours (leading garden tours and special needs groups)
• • •
Interpretive Naturalist Unit Mountain Bike Unit Mounted Assisted Unit Wildland Firefighting Unit Trail Crew Unit
Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority provides professional training in all areas of volunteerism accommodating busy schedules seven days a week.
Get Involved ‐ Volunteer in the Outdoors!
Northern Volunteers contributed 848.5 hours at Towsley, East/Rice, Sage, Happy Camp, Rocky Peak, and Whitney Canyon
Volunteers in Whittier Hills Area contributed 175 volunteer hours
Volunteers in Rainbow Canyon contributed 124 volunteer hours
Volunteer Wildland Firefighters contributed 989 hours of services
Call 310‐858‐7272 ext. 132 www.LAMountains.com Page 7
MRCA Fall Volunteer Recruitment...www.LAMountains.com GO TAKE A HIKE... with Volunteer School Naturalists Volunteers that lead inner‐city school tours are talented and passionate individuals, dedicated to increasing children’s awareness and understanding of the nature world.
Training on the trail has never been this fun! Tuesday, Sept. 20th, 10am‐3pm, Franklin Canyon Help us kick off the new school season! Hike, and have lunch, and learn with NEW, and fellow School Volunteer
MRCA Volunteer Trainings are fun! Designed to inspire self‐learning and discovery, provide opportunities to learn from park professionals, field experts and Volunteer Mentors, and promote lasting participation and Volunteerism in the Natural World.
Learn new tricks and techniques for working with kids on the trail.
Play nature trail games & activities.
Visit favorite trail stops and more! Information and to RSVP Call 310‐858‐7272 ext. 132
MRCA Fall 2005 Volunteer Orientation Weekend
Learn things you never thought you would! New MRCA volunteer, Michelle McAfee learns how to make fire from volunteer mentor Jim Robertson.
Saturday, October 22nd or Sunday, October 23rd (Franklin Canyon Park, 10am‐12pm)
This gathering is designed to introduce the
Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, our parks, partners, trainings and volunteer opportunities.
All current MRCAvolunteers are invited to join us. Come meet and greet new volunteers, share your stories, some encouraging words, and don’t forget to bring a friend.
Information and to RSVP Call 310‐858‐7272 ext. 132
Share your time, talents, and passion for nature. Learn how to design and conduct MRCA public programs, such as campfire programs, full moon hikes, bird walks & more.
Public Program Hike Leader Training Saturday, October 8th, 10am‐2pm, Franklin Canyon Bring Lunch, and your wild imaginations.
Information and to RSVP Call 310‐858‐7272 ext. 132
MRCA Volunteers learn more, so they can share more! Symbiosis Fall 2005 Page 8
MRCA Volunteer Happenings…www.LAMountains.com Northeast Day of Service
On‐Going Trail Needs Together we can make sweat, dirt and even trail maintenance fun! MRCA Volunteer Tom Goebel and his daughter got up close and personal with overgrown trails at Franklin Canyon.
Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa kicked off a Day of Service for the Los Angeles City Council District 14 event at the Eagle Rock Westfield Mall. Local community members participated in various beautification projects throughout the 14th district. The MRCA Nature Detective table was a highlight of the event, introducing children and families to their local LA Mountains Parks. Interested in working outreach events? please call 310‐858‐7272 ext.132
Franklin Canyon Park trail crew meets Every 1st Sunday & 3rd Saturday at 10am
Towsley Canyon Park trail crew meets On the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, and every Wed. at 8am
MRCA Plant Restoration Project Help with plant restoration is needed throughout MRCA parklands, please call Tony Charness (310) 589‐3230 ext. 117
Rainbow Canyon Native habitat restoration, please call Ranger Jewel Johnson 310‐858‐7272 ext. 139 for more information.
(Please call if you are interested in working on trail crews) 310‐858‐7272 ext. 132 or rebecca.farr@mrca.ca.gov
Don’t’ wait ‐ RSVP and save these dates! Chautauqua Event Tuesday, September 27, 7:30 PM Temescal Gateway Park
Joseph Edmiston, Executive Director, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, will discuss the legacy of Landscape Architect Fredrick Law Olmsted.
Health Parks, Healthy Living
Saturday September 24th 9:00am‐1:00pm at Paramount Ranch
Fredrick Law Olmsted is recognized as the founder of American Landscape Architecture and our nation’s foremost park maker. If you’ve ever visited Central Park in New York City, Boston’s Fenway Park, or the campus of Stanford University, you’ve seen his work. Olmstead’s legacy lives on today in hundreds of cities and parks across the nation. Mr. Edmiston has adapted his lectures at UCLA to introduce us to this pivotal figure of American Landscape Architecture.
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands‐on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands American’s enjoy. Volunteers can choose from a variety of activities in an effort to improve and enhance the park. Native plant restoration, installing new post & rail fence, repairing trails and brush clearance of an old race track bridge. Volunteers will be treated to refreshments and souvenirs.
For more information call Mike Malone, 805‐970‐2317 Page 9
Featured Plant and Animal…..
California Elderberry: Party Plant
American elderberry, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis, a common tree‐like shrub found throughout chaparral and riparian biomes in the Santa Monica Mountains, has all the makings for a good party. The Chumash made their most important musical instrument, the clapperstick or wansakʹ, by pushing the pith out of the long, straight wood and partially splitting it. The wansakʹ was slapped against the hand to make a clapping noise or rattled in one hand and was used to keep the rhythm in place of drums at festivals, rituals, and other gatherings. The Greeks also recognized the musical value of the elderberry. The Greek word sambuke, which refers to a musical instrument made from elder wood, is the root of the elderberry’s scientific genus name.
Elderberry can be found throughout our parkland as a bushy shrub that can reach a height of 12 feet. In the spring, it is covered in white blossoms. By California Elderberry late summer, these blossoms mature into dark blue berries
The blue elderberries make a fine wine; we can hear Elton John croon over the pleasant effects of the drink in his Elderberry Wine. The fruit can also be made into pies and jams.
As the elderberries ripen, take care in creating your own parties. Parts of the elderberry plant and the raw berries are known to be toxic to animals and humans, and especially to curious children. Of course, we never pick plant material in our parklands, but elderberry products are commercially available.
King of the Mountain
Our Santa Monica Mountains have a king and scientists have named him P1. He is a mountain lion, truly the “king of the mountain” as well as the top predator in the local food chain. (The name P1 is short for “puma 1,” puma being
another name for this large feline.) His position on the throne, however, is precarious. Surrounded on all sides by a major metropolitan area criss‐crossed by dangerous freeways, the Santa Monica Mountains are an island of habitat large enough to support only a few individuals . P1 is one of only two confirmed adult mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains. The other lion, P2, is female. The king and his queen are faced with difficult challenges in their fight for survival in their kingdom, the Santa Monica Mountains.
As a top predator, mountain lions require a large area in which to hunt their favorite prey, mule deer. Males require about 150 sq. miles (females 40) of territory and don’t take kindly to Mountain Lions in Los Angeles. October 25 at 7:30 PM Temescal Gateway Park.
Dr. Ray Sauvajot, a Wildlife Biologist with the National Park Service, will be presenting on “Mountain Lions in Los Angeles” as a part of the Chautauqua series at Temescal Gateway Park. Using radio collars, remote cameras and tracking stations, Sauvajot and his team have spent years studying Mountain Lions P1 and P2 in the Santa Monica mountains. sharing their kingdoms with other males. The 240 sq. miles that make up the Santa Monica Mountains are enough to support probably less than 10 mountain lions, not enough to support a genetically diverse population. They need access to the wilderness of the Simi Hills, Santa Susana Mountains, and Los Padres and Angeles National Forests, where more land, deer, and other mountain lions can be found. P1’s only access to new territories and additional females is across the Ventura Freeway and from there across the Simi Valley Freeway and the surrounding developments, which must be bridged by connecting parcels of land, called wildlife corridors, and by wild animal‐friendly highway underpasses.
Contributed by Keliann LaConte Symbiosis Fall 2005 Page 10
Science News You Can Use…..
Plants Fight Back with Sweet Smells
Researchers at the University of Colorado are using thyme, the aromatic plant found in the Mediterranean biomes of France, as a model for understanding how plants use chemicals to defend themselves against herbivores. Fellow researcher Dr. Jeff Mitton published a summary of their findings in the July 22, 2005 issue of the Daily Camera, “Thymeʹs aroma is part of chemical defense.”
Thyme is genetically programmed to produce a type of chemical, called a monoterpene, commonly used in plant
chemical warfare as a defense against hungry herbivores. Slight variations in the plant’s DNA create variations on the basic chemical structure of the monoterpene. Each thyme plant produces one of six variations and those variations repel certain types of herbivores. For instance, garden snails, goats, and sheep are each repelled by a different variation of the monoterpene. Yet while a plant may be able to repel goats, for instance, the monoterpene it produces might be attractive to another herbivore. There is no perfect strategy in the war for survival. It is this imperfection that lends the Mediterranean biome its characteristic myriad fragrances.
And an Example of How You Can Use It….. A Nose for Chemical Warfare
Taking hikes through the chaparral and coastal sage, one is often inspired to breathe deeply and inhale the wonderful and myriad fragrances of the scrub. Here in our local Mediterranean climate, the scents of sumac, sage, fennel, and chamise fill the nose with therapeutic delight. Travel to the four other Mediterranean climate zones of the world, and you will find slightly different, although similarly strong‐smelling, vegetation. In the Mediterranean, Laurel Sumac rose and scrub oaks add their heady fragrances to those that make our stomachs growl in hunger, such as wild rosemary, oregano, mint, and thyme. Pleasant as these aromas may be, they are the signs of sinister purposes. The chemicals that produce these scents are used in the chemical warfare waged by plants against other plants that would usurp scarce resources and the creatures that would munch already drought‐stressed leaves. The sweet smells of a hike through a Mediterranean biome are merely evidence of the ongoing war for survival.
Fragrance is a trademark characteristic of Mediterranean‐ type ecosystems: 49% of the plant species are aromatic. In fact, Mediterranean biomes have more than their fair share
of sweet‐smelling plants: about 90 of the 153 plant genera produce volatile oils responsible for the strong scents. Those oils are used to combat the challenges of the Mediterranean climate: dry summers and nutrient‐poor soils.
Plants engage in ongoing chemical warfare, called allelopathy, producing chemicals to prevent plant interlopers from taking over limited water and nutrients and to deter pests and browsers. When the leaves of the aromatic Australian eucalyptus trees fall to the ground, the toxic chemicals leach into the soil and prevent other plants from growing there, thus providing “personal space” from which the tree can take nutrients and water. Sumac and fennel likewise use chemicals to defend their own California properties from unwelcome invasion. Thyme in the Mediterranean biomes of France uses its aromatic oils, stored in oil glands on the surface of the leaves, to deter certain species of animals. When an animal or insect touches a leaf, the glands rupture and the oil is rubbed over the leaf and onto the animal. Thyme produces one of six distinct smells according to the oil it is genetically coded to produce, and certain insects and animals will either be attracted to or repulsed by the scent given off by a particular plant.
The sweet smells of war affects humans as well. Three varieties of thyme scent repulse us while three varieties attract us; those are the varieties we use in our cooking. You can demonstrate this on the trail by lightly crushing the leaves of purple sage between your fingers and then smelling the aromatic chemicals. The fragrance that surrounds you is part of the plant’s silent war for survival.
Contributed by Keliann LaConte Page 11
For Parents and Educators…..
Mediterranean Climate Wordsearch I K M E L O M P D A D K S B B D S R Y C D I C N
A Z L X R N O O S B H Z R O N M E S Z S I F G J
K I H E B I H B U M F E V B E S P U L D V Q B R
L N G D S I W Z F N P J S C K F A N J X E I R Q
C A R O O I B L O P T S Z A A K R N U J R Z P V
D X N O Z S Q Y O A E A O T N V G A S U S P U Y
O M L S F J H H T L M S I T S O Y J X N I Z T Z
N M C L E I S R G U L L X N E U L N C C T E U B
B J C E U S L A U F K W Z L L V X M G O Y Z T T
T N L R A W E A U B Z O B G T I E J X Z N C Z X
R N F R V K Q P C D S Y T V T D O R L T J D N B
T V G I Z A Y J K E R H G Z A S U N G R N D O B
L F M U U O S I M A H C M Q R E S Z G R A A W R
D Q A Q A T R I M F R E G R O W T H X T E U W L
L A B S E I F E D V E Z F K K S E V I L O E A F
Y R U N H D S H Y V B H P F I R E D C W I Y N H
H V S Q O O K Y I A B A S I N G E H H Q J U M F
T H I X R G W F O S D N Y I R Z A P T G H C X O
C Y O T E G A E E M A U U O R P Y R H N I C B D
T M K S A V H R G S O U T H A F R I C A S A Q U
E Q N R H N O Q R A F T E R B V E O C T H A I B
K G Y E M Y H T U A S M R W B D F C O K V M N G
B B Y K A O B Z M P T A E C I E E Y X U F U X P
H T V E P E U N W C L R W N T R O E K C D F C Z
UNSCRAMBLE THESE LETTERS…
A L A R T S U A W I P H E Q C N R V R G I M Z D
AUSTRALIA BASIN BOBCAT CALIFORNIA CHAMISO CHAPARRAL CHILE CONDOR COYOTE DEER DIVERSITY EAGLES EVERGREEN FIRE FIVE GRAPES GRASSHOPPER HAWKS MOUNTAIN LION
NATIVE OAK OLIVES OREGANO OWLS POISON QUAIL RABBIT RAT RATTLESNAKE REGROWTH ROSEMARY SAGE SHRUBS SQUIRREL TARRAGON THRASHER THYME TOYON SOUTH AFRICA
Websites for Educators:
1.
For many lesson plans, activities and ideas The National Geographic website is a great resource: Http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ xpeditions/lessons/matrix.html This website is a complete introduction to all the climate zones, including maps, easy to understand information, and exercises to quiz your students or yourself: Http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/ Resources/Teaching_Packs/ Key_Stage_3/Weather_Climate/08.html
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Contributed by Asha Bankowski
NAI/Region 8 workshop...
Ask the Naturalist…
The job of an Interpreter is to awaken the hearts and minds of the audience to the natural and cultural resources. Instead of using technical scientific information, commonplace terms can provide the connection, which brings complex issues to personal significance. Making that delicate relevancy is an art. Like a poet, we choose commonplace words and objects to invoke multiple images that hint of deeper meanings. Like a poet, we trim away the extraneous to arrive at our essential, timeless message. Come join us in the desert as we hone our craft. You don’t have to be an NAI member or a professional interpreter to attend. We all have much to learn from each other.
How do you tell the difference between a coyote track and a dog track?
Now that we’ve inspired you with our poetry, let’s provide some practical details. Red Rock Canyon is located about 15 miles NW of Las Vegas. Cost of the workshop is $120 for NAI members, $140 for non‐members and $100 for students, if you register before 12/31 ($20 surcharge after that date).
In return you get 6 free meals, a free camping spot, 9 hours of workshops, 2 evening programs and a fieldtrip. You will also get to network with professional interpreters from all over Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.
Paring down to the bedrock: The POETRY of Interpretation February 18‐20, 2006 Red Rock Canyon ‐ Nevada
For questions contact Rebecca Farr at Rebecca.Farr@mrca.ca.gov or 310‐858‐7272 x 132. For a registration packet contact Wendy Langhans at wendy.langhans@mrca.ca.gov or 310‐858‐7272 x 115.
You’re hiking along a wide trail or fire road and you spot rounded tracks with a heel pad and oval toes. How can you tell if it’s a canine (dog or coyote?) If the ground is soft, the easiest way is to look for claw marks. It you see them, it’s a canine, because cats sheath their claws when they walk. But how can you tell if it’s a dog or a coyote? That’s a bit trickier. You have to consider the size & shape, path, and stride length.
Coyote Tracks 2‐1/4 to 2‐3/4” L 2 to 2‐3/8” L 1‐3/4 to 2 3/8” W 1‐1/2 to 1‐7/8 ” W Size and shape. Coyote tracks tend to be oval, that is longer than wide, with claws hooked inward; Dog tracks tend to be rounder with claws pointed out. Path. Coyotes tend to travel a straight path while dogs tend to meander. Of course, if the dog is “on leash” like it’s supposed to be, it may not meander as much as a dog off leash. Stride is the distance between successive placements of the same foot and depends on size and speed. Coyotes average 37 inches in length and have a walking stride of 12‐15 inches. A dogs stride will depend on the size of the dog and, as we know, dogs come in various sizes. Identifying tracks takes practice. You will have an opportunity at Towsley Canyon on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 8‐9:30 AM: “Be an Animal Detective”. E‐mail your questions to Wendy.Langhans@mrca.ca.gov. Page 13
Parks in the News…..
Ballona Creek Bike Trail Gateway. California State Parks, Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke, Congresswoman Jane Harman, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Colonel Blackburn from US Army Corp of Engineers, Howard Hackett from LA County Bicycle Coalition and Councilmember Bill Rosendahl joined the Baldwin Hills Regional
Crystal Street Park. Supervisor Gloria Molina, Councilmember Eric Garcetti and MRCA board member Jerry Daniel joined the LADWP, North East Trees, and the MRCA to dedicate a new bicycle staging area and pocket park adjacent to the LA River Bike Path at Fletcher Drive.
“By maximizing the potential of existing public land and working in partnership at the State, County and local level,” said Joseph T. Edmiston, Executive Director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, “we are able to create badly needed public park land and recreational opportunities in densely populated urban areas where it is needed most.”
Conservation Authority and MRCA in dedicating new improvements along the Ballona Creek Bike Path at Centinela Avenue in Mar Vista.
The bikeway extends about seven miles along Ballona Creek from parkland in the Baldwin Hills to the bike path along the Pacific Ocean.
The new park emphasizes services for cyclists using the adjacent LA River Bike Path. It provides parking for recreational cyclists and an orientation kiosk with map. Amenities include native shade trees, signage, custom seating, pathways, and bicycle maps. Currently cyclists can park and ride 8 miles of bike path upstream along the LA River towards Griffith Park. Plans are currently in development to connect the Bikeway downstream to Downtown Los Angeles.
Opens at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve On July 2, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority officially opened the Victory Trailhead . The site offers 60 parking spaces, a picnic area, interpretive kiosk and toilet facilities. Check out our website for our expanded pubic program offerings. If you want to be on our e‐mail distribution list, contact Wendy Langhans at Wendy.Langhans @mrca.ca.gov.
MRCA Mounted Assistance Unit volunteers check out the trail.
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Directions: From the 101 freeway in Calabasas, travel north on Valley Circle Blvd., turning west on Victory Blvd. Visitors will pass through the gates to reach the parking lot. The parking fee is $3.
Chumash Ceremonial Leader Mati Waiya
Notes from the Field…..
California Dodder “Just what IS that STUFF?”, a visitor asked MRCA volunteer Al Dey on a recent hike. The simple answer is “Dodder”, otherwise known as “Witches Hair” or “Strangle‐ weed.”
Hot Summer Nights Around A Campfire People have been flocking in droves to our evening family campfire programs. Parents especially enjoyed bringing their children to share stories and songs around the fire and to discuss the best way to roast marshmallows (slow roasted to a golden brown‐ editor).
Dodder looks like a jumble of orange spaghetti that was accidentally dumped on top of another plant. It’s a parasite; their strands wrap tightly counter‐clock‐wise around the host plant while little bumps on the strands, known as haustoria, push their way into the stem of the host plant and pull out the nutrients the Dodder needs to survive.
We will continue to offer these programs through the remainder of the summer on Wednesday nights (Franklin Canyon), Thursday nights (Temescal Gateway Park) and once a month at Upper Las Virgenes. For details go on line at www.LAMountains.com or contact Wendy Langhans (Wendy.Langhans@mrca.ca.gov) to be added to our quarterly e‐mail hike and activity list.
Beat the Heat at Lechuza Beach
Most likely you have already seen Dodder while hiking or biking along our trails. But have you ever seen it flower? Dodder blossoms in the summer but you have to look closely to see it. The white flowers are tiny (usually less than 6 mm long) and look a bit like miniature morning glories.
Late summer and early fall are a great time to visit Lechuza Beach, a quarter mile long sandy beach in Malibu, located 3 miles west of Zuma Beach between Broad Beach Road and the Pacific Ocean. The beach includes exquisite rock formations and views northward up the coast. The beach is a combination of private and public ownership, with the public owning over 1,000 feet of beach frontage as a combination of a 9 million dollar grant from the State Coastal Conservancy to the MRCA and private donations.
(Flower photo courtesy of MRCA volunteer Dianne Erskine)
Directions, parking and access information are available on our website: www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=663. Page 15
Humboldt Lily in Pico Canyon - Steve Ioerger Also found in Franklin Canyon.
Tadpoles in Las Virgenes Canyon Creek - W. Langhans Please note that these are not Red Legged Frogs.
Our summer programs at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve include a number of “Take a Closer Look” hikes. In keeping with that idea, here is a selection of close‐up photos taken by our volunteers and staff. All of these photos were taken alongside streambeds (riparian habitats), one of the rarer habitats in our Southern California Mediterranean Ecosystem. Hummingbird nest in Rice Canyon - Dianne Erskine
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Scarlet Monkey Flower in Pico Canyon - Dianne Erskine