As human populations continue to increase along coastlines, more people have access to the intertidal zone, impacting many of the plants and animals that rely upon this habitat. Such as pollution include discarded trash which can negatively impact intertidal marine life. People using the same trail over and over again trample the vegetation and soil, eventually causing damage that can lead to loss of biodiversity and other impacts. Also the number of roads that are accompanied by various forms of pollution including air pollution from automobile have caused habitat loss in the park.
Southern Pacific Rattle snake eating a mouse which can be define as the food web
The Marsh area or coastal land areas also have a diversity of plants and animals. The plants are mostly salt secreting leaves, hairy creeping stems, succulents leaves, and grayish foliage. Examples of these plants that I have found are the Showy Honey myrtle, California sun cup, and Coast Cholla cactus. I have also found a Western Fence lizard in this area which are diverse animal that populates many different geographic regions and ecological niches.
Bluffs or beach biodiversity is definitely present in this area. Many different varieties of plants and vertebrate are around the area. Plants like Hoary stock, jimson weed, and coastal golden bush. They are all flowering plants that are can attract bees to pollinate. California ground squirrel which are settling actively by the rock region and the Western gull were also present in the area, but in the shore area by the beach.
The Torrey Pine tree is rare and different from other pine. The Torrey pine has two vascular bundle running through its needles and are five-needles. Its cones also does not mature in the same time frame like other pines. Other pines cones mature in two years and Torrey pine takes three. The Torrey pine holds the title of rarest pine in the United States. It can handle drought, wind and poor living conditions such as Torrey pines along the sea cliffs suffer from, roots are growing in poor sand which can hardly be called “soil.” The trees are blasted by storms and cooked in the sun which is why they are known as stubborn trees.
A California native insect I have found at Torrey Pines Natural Reserve is a Western Fence Lizard. They tend to live in elevated habitats such as mountains, but prefers to stay near the ground in these habitats. They attempt to avoid harsh conditions such as low elevation deserts and moist forested areas, however the organism can be found on the outskirts of both types of habitats. They are a very diverse animal that populates many different geographic regions and ecological niches. In addition, Western Fence Lizard typically consumes, caterpillars, beetles, flies, ants, spiders and other insects. They are also a common prey for consumers such as snakes, etc. Furthermore, they are dependent on the temperature of its surroundings; warm is the most used suitable temperature for these lizards. On the other hand, I also was able to find plenty of California Ground Squirrel in the area. It has brownish-gray fur with cream spots and flecks on its back. It has a darker gray color that runs from its head down to the middle of its back. Its shoulders and the side of its head are a lighter gray. It has a white underside, a long bushy tail and big eyes. They eat plant parts like leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, berries and fruits. Occasionally, it will eat insects and small animals.
Sunset cliffs regional park is inhabited with many different species. A region that have lots of biodiversity are on the Intertidal. The diversity at the intertidal region that I had observed are mostly water species. First are the Stripe Seashore Crabs. The striped shore crab feeds on films of algae growing on the rocks in tide pools and crevices. They also scavenge on dead animals and at times they eat living prey, such as limpets, snails,and other crabs. In turn, these crabs are eaten by gulls, octopus, rats, raccoons, and even man. Which are all part of the food chain. Second are the California Sea hare, these species are short lived and typically life less than a year. They are hermaphrodites in that they are both male and female. They can reproduce sexually when they encounter other animals. They feed on red algae which contributes to the coloration pigment of the sea hare and enables them to camouflage and blend in to the algae they eat. Third, Western Sea roach are scavengers, and feeds on microscopic algae in the upper-intertidal zone and supra tidal splash zone. Another are the Tuna crabs, they fills an important ecological niche converting primary production into energy that larger organisms can use. They are an important food item for many species of birds, marine mammals and fish. Lastly are the Sea Comb, They are bright red in color with strongly flattened delicately branching fronds. They are considered to be in the family of red algae which are considered food source for many water species.
Adenostoma also known as Chamise are found on the chaparrals near the Torrey Pine Trails. These plant have an accumulated temperature of 93 to 268 ° F . It is very drought tolerant and adaptable, with the ability to grow in nutrient-poor, barren soil and on dry, rocky outcrops. Chaparral habitats are known for their periodical wildfires, and like other chaparral flora, chamise dries out, burns, and recovers quickly to thrive once again. It is a plant that controls erosion well, sprouting from ground level in low basal crowns that remain after fires, preventing the bare soil from being washed away.
Places such as Sunset Cliff Regional Park are home to birds, grasses, crabs, clams, fish, tiny invertebrates, and more. Unfortunately, Beach ecosystems are affected by many different types of human pressures, from recreation to pollution. By invading these areas we are disturbing the species habitat and polluting it with our trash. Trash was the main issue that can kill and harm species around the area especially near the water.
Sea Anemones form a symbiotic relationship with Algae. The sea anemone benefits from the products of the algae's photosynthesis such as oxygen and food. The algae in turn are assured a reliable exposure to sunlight and protection from micro-feeders, which the sea anemones actively maintain. The algae also benefit by being protected by the sea anemone's stinging cells, nematocysts, reducing the likelihood of being eaten by herbivores.
