HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems
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HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems |
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Gaviota State Beach A transect of plant communities from the ocean over the
ridge of the Santa Ynez Mountains and partway down the interior slopes is the
prime feature of this area. The
Gaviota watergap (Pass) is included in the area. Much of the area is chaparral, with such typical species
as chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus spp., Rhus spp., and mountain
mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides. Second
in extent, and occurring primarily on the seaward slopes and bluffs, is the
coastal sage scrub, with California sagebrush, Artemisia california, the
dominant. Along the various intermittent streams and creeks is a
riparian woodland, with sycamore, Platanus racemosa, white alder, Alnus
rhombifolia, and various willows, Salix spp., the main elements. Along the coastal bluffs, to the west of the railroad,
are relict Nassella pulchra stands, which here form a mosaic with the coastal sage
scrub. The grassland and scrub on
the bluffs end abruptly where the marine terrace sediments contact the older
sandstone formations. In the hills
there is some grassland, with Stipa lepida (=Nassella sp.) mixed with other annual grasses. Animals are relatively abundant in the nonrecreational
areas. Geologically, there is a fine cross section, with some
good exposures, of many of the elements of the Hot springs occur here. Integrity: The
beach is heavily used and there are some campsites.
The highway cuts through the pass here, and there also are various
buildings. With the exception of
some grazing in the upland portions, they are virtually undisturbed; the bluffs
have not been grazed. Use: Research,
educational, observational, present. Some private holdings in the area. January 1977
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