HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems
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HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems |
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Fern Creek - Mendenhall Canyon Area A variety of features combines to make this area one of
the more unusual in the Santa Monica Mountains. Chaparral comprises
approximately three-quarters of the vegetative cover, with chamise, Adenostoma
fasciculatum, mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides, coffeeberry,
Rhamnus californica, and Ceanothus spp. Individual specimens of Ceanothus oliganthus and
Rhamnus californica have been estimated to reach heights of 10 meters and 8
meters, respectively. There is also a mixed evergreen forest with coast live
oak, Quercus agrifolia, bay, Umbellularia californica, and the locally uncommon
big-leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum. Along the canyon bottoms, by the stream beds, there is a
riparian community with sycamore, Platanus racemosa, black cottonwood, Populus
trichocarpa, and ash, Fraxinus velutina (var. coriacea).
One of the few populations of brown dogwood, Cornus glabrata, in the
Santa Monicas occurs here. Seeps and moist areas support excellent stands of
chain fern, Woodwardia fimbriata, and bracken, Pteridium aquilinum, with several
exceptionally large individual specimens. There
is also a fine colony of the stream orchis, Epipactis gigantea. Mountain lions, Felis concolor, are among the numerous
animals found in the area. Geologically, the area is underlain by sandstones of
Oligocene nonmarine origin. Several
streams, some perennial, with waterfalls and cascades, occur here. Use: Research, educational, observational. A portion of
the area has been proposed as an ecological reserve. A part of the area is
private. December 1979
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