HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems
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HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems |
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Los Penasquitos Lagoon Also known as the Soledad, Sorrento or Torrey Pines
Lagoon, Los Penasquitos, which is partially located in the Torrey Pines State
Reserve, is one of the more important coastal salt marshes in the
County. There are four distinct vegetative types in the lagoon
and it supports a rich variety of animal life, including three endangered
species. Tidal channels, the marine zone, occupy approximately 12
hectares (30 acres); 62 hectares (155 acres) are in the littoral zone which
includes the salt marsh and some mud flats; the remaining area is in non-tidal
salt marsh or salt flats. The most
common plant community is the coastal salt marsh.
Its composition varies with elevation.
In the lower areas the algae Enteromorpha and the ditch grass Ruppia sp.
are seasonally abundant. In the
tidal area Salicornia virginica dominates, with Frankenia sp. common, while in
the upper reaches the Salicornia is interspersed with Distichlis sp. and
Limonium sp. among others. In the
salt flats, dominated by Salicornia subterminalis, the locally uncommon
Lasthenia glabrata is found. There
are several small areas of brackish water where Typha sp., Juncus spp., and
Scirpus sp. occur. Bordering the lagoon proper are stands of coastal scrub
and chaparral. In the former the
rare Lotus nuttallianus is found. At least 21 species of fish have been recorded from the
lagoon, with the most common being the bay top-smelt, Atherinops affinis, and
the killifish, Fundulus parvipinnis. Two
species of pipefish are found here, Syngnathus griseolineatus and Syngnathus
auliscus. Since the opening of the lagoon to regular tidal action
in the late 1960's a number of molluscs, crustaceans and other invertebrates
have colonized the area. Surface sediments in the lagoon area are primarily fine,
silty clays and in the salt marshes are relatively thin. Integrity: A
railway embankment traverses the lagoon and a highway cuts across its mouth.
Until 1972, sewage effluent was discharged into the lagoon.
To assure tidal flushing, the lagoon mouth is kept open. A major portion
of the lagoon is in the Torrey Pines State Reserve and has been designated a
Natural Preserve. There has been
some damage in the upper, privately-owned portion by off-road vehicles. Use: Educational,
research, observational. Ref: Mudie,
Peta J., Bruce Browning, John Speth, 1974. The
Natural Resources of Los Penasquitos Lagoon and Recommendations for Use and
Development. California Department of Fish and Game, Coastal Wet-lands Series
No. 7. August 1975
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