The Mission Trails Regional Park have a good amount of Biodiversity. The Chaparral part of this region defines its biodiversity. Chaparral species such as Caterpillar Phacelia, Chalk Dudleya, California Buckwheat, Wild cucumber, and White horehound are examples of what I have found and identified. These plants have different appearances however they all have characteristics that in able them to survive and adapt to its environment. Caterpillar Phacelia have smaller leaves with spikes segments which eliminates transpiration, which aids this plant drought tolerant. Chalk Dudleya on the other hand are water succulent plants and are covered with a dense coating of chalky, powdery wax which helps them to tolerate high temperatures. California Buckwheat are also water efficient plants, they also have small leaves with moisture conserving hairs. Wild cucumber however have smooth green stems which helps them to produce food and seal in moisture. Lastly white horehound are also a plant that flourish in a hot climate as they also have small leaf size. All these plants species are able to survive by their reduce leaf size, and have smooth green bark on stems and trunks serving them to both produce food and seal in moisture. In thus, they are all water efficient plants and are able to grow on dry, poor soil.
The Mission Trails Regional Park have a good amount of Biodiversity. The Wetland part of this region defines its biodiversity. Wetland species such as Fremont Cottonwood, Wild Celery, Lemonade Berry, Common Cattail, and Yerba Mansa. Many wetland plants have special air or pore spaces in their roots and stems to which oxygen can enter the plant and be transported to its roots and wetland trees have very shallow roots systems, swollen trunks, or roots that grow above the ground. There are many characteristics that a plant can survive such environment. Fremont Cottonwood is an example of a tree that must have very shallow roots systems, swollen trunks, or roots that grow above the ground as they are widely known trees that grows near wetlands. On the other hand, wild celery on the other hand have stalks that can store water and roots that can absorb water from the ground. Lemonade berry, however that I have found is also in the wetlands but not as close as the other plants I have found. Although it is consider well adapted to long dry summers, it is also very well adopted to wet soils. Moreover, Common Cattail is an example of an emergent plants that have roots in the soil under the water but grow above the water. It is a very well adapted in a very wet soil. Lastly, Yerba Mansa are known to be an ingredient to treat inflammations. The plant have creeping rhizome which is thick and woody which can help the plant to store proteins.
Honey bees have been major pollinators of flowers and, therefore, the plants producing the flowers have relied on the bees. The bees help plant reproduce by transferring pollen, a plant’s male sperm cells, from one flower to another an interaction I have observed between a honey bee and a California Buckwheat flower. This interaction is very important to our environment as pollinators of honey bees are critical to the environment and the food supply.
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum also known as Crystalline Ice Plant are mostly found cliff tops of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. This is a succulent plant that it supposedly adds salt to the surrounding soil, thereby discouraging other plants from germinating nearby. It is considered an invasive exotic pest plant in California.
On the concrete slabs at the edge of the water I have encountered are roaches centipede like insect that are called Ligia occidentalis also known as Western Sea Roach. They are identified by their very long uropods that are nearly half as long as the body. They hide most of the day in crevices or under stones just above the high tide line. They are considered scavengers, and feeds on microscopic algae in the upper-intertidal zone and supra tidal splash zone. Another observation I have found in the cliff tops of Sunset Cliffs Regional Park that is California native are Rosa arvensis also known as Field Rose. This beautiful flower have rounded to oval fleshy hips that enclose the seeds that attracts birds and small mammals. In addition Many insects, including bees, moths and butterflies are attracted to the Field Rose.
Sunset cliffs regional park is inhabited with many different species. A region that have lots of biodiversity are on the Cliff tops. The diversity cliff tops that I had observed are mostly plants and a lizard. First are of course Crystalline Ice Plant. These are very well adapted cliff tops and closed to salty water as it purpose is to adds salt to the surrounding soil so other plants are not able to invade the surroundings. Second are the red berry buckthorn this species is planted for the berries to increase pollination. Third are the Swan-neck Agave are drought tolerant plants that can tolerate seaside conditions. It has no teeth or terminal spines, making it an ideal plant for areas adjacent to footpaths such as the Sunset Cliff Regional Park Trail. Fourth are the common reed grass, these grass are considered invasive and grows fast but contains a lot of biomass and Birds eat the seeds of Common Reeds, and Muskrats eat the rhizomes. However, this plant is more important to wildlife as protection and cover. Lastly are the Belding’s Orange-throated Whiptail inhabits many other vegetation types and disturbed areas: along edges of open, dry, along trails, along dirt roads, and in areas of light off-road vehicle use. In thus, making Sunset Cliff Regional Park Trail a perfect home.
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.
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.
