jbrew910's Journal

The major disruptions observed at TPNR all start and end with the presence and influence of humans. The impact that humans have, which is absent minded to most that visit the park, influences animal species habitat and distribution, mating habits, and foraging and hunting behavior and range. For plants it also disturbs their natural habitat range and soil quality. I have listed some observations and their major ecological effects below.

1-Major road between beach and lagoon –disturbed habitat and species distribution, water quality in lagoon affected due to disruption and contamination of soil and water runoff.
2-Human presence—human presence presents noise, pollution, and just overall disruption of “natural” ecology of this environment. This interferes with species habitat, distribution, possibly migration patterns and foraging behavior.
3-Recreational activities—surfers, runners, walkers, sight-seeing-all present threats and disruption of nature, even if not intentional. Surfers and swimmers disturb local marine life and put themselves at risk for accidental situations (shark bites, jelly stings).
4-Paved road up the mountain-again, habitat disturbance and soil nutrients factor.
5-Housing—habitat and range disturbance.
6-Collecting—disturbance of natural balance of the ecosystem. May lead to introduction of a new species to a non-native environment
7-Noise—may interfere with animal mating, foraging.
8-Pollution—detrimental to overall health of plant and animal species of ecoregion.

Brush rabbit foraging through multiple plants, one being the California buckwheat

Wrentit perched on a mojave yucca

From my observations, the lagoon at TPNR was less populated and diverse than the cliff tops. The riparian greenlife consisted more of bush-like plants and no trees. Its plants consisted of california bulrush, cord grass, pickleweed, and California sagebrush. These plants are all capable of surviving in dry conditions but due to their location next to the lagoon, their soil is more moist than clifftop plants. They are all somewhat salt tolerant since the soil is nutrient poor and close to the ocean. These plants provide shelter to some small reptiles and amphibians, as well as insects. Animal species included the snowy egret and the black-crowned night heron. These shore birds utilize the lagoon for food resources such as small fish, amphibians, and insects. The lagoon is less populated so I would suppose the competition to acquire food may be less straining, but it is smaller which means the food sources may be less abundant as well.

During my visit to TPNR, I came across a vast array of different types of animals and plants including small insects and mammals to the torrey pine and succulents. This informs that life is very prevalent and although soil quality and water availability isn't the greatest, the species that live in this ecoregion have adapted to survive and do well under very specific conditions. The torrey pine is one of the only pines able to thrive under chaparral conditions. It survives due to its expansive root network and its adaptations to live with little rainfall. The chamise, and succulents are also plants that have adaptations to enable them to live in poor soil quality with little rainfall. The modified leaves of the coastal prickly pear and mojave yucca enable them to store water and fend off animals while doing so. The brush rabbit is a small mammal that is able to survive due to inhabiting the dense shrubs provided by chaparral settings. It feeds on grasses and some fruits provided by the plantlife. Its predators includes snakes, raptors, cougars, and foxes. The California thrasher calls TPNR home as well. It utilizes the dense shrubbery to make its nesting sites as well as its long curved beak to dig for insects. It plays a prominent role in keeping insect populations in check while providing a food source to larger birds such as hawks and its eggs provide sources of food to lizards
and smaller mammals and rodents.

1)
The species pictured is the chamise/greasewood (Adenostoma fasciculatum). Its leaves are small and have a pointed apex. They are also shiny and are coated with a flammable oil-like substance. The flowers are whitish-pink and are clustered. This species was found throughout TPNR and is especially adapted to grow in nutrient poor soil and dry chaparral conditions. Its adaptations allow it to grow in serpentine soil, sand, slate, and gravel filled soils, which most other plants cannot survive. Being that chamise can grow in a variety of soil conditions it presents as a valuable resource to prevent soil erosion on dunes and foothills within TPNR and surrounding ecoregions. Chamise also provides shelter for numerous insect species and is fire tolerant. This species would imply that the chaparral growing conditions are not ideal but could also serve as an important indicator species and provide important data as to the state of soil quality and condition.

2)
California thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) is an mockingbird that is grayish brown in color. It usually has a whitish throat with a distinct dark "eye mustache" that extents from the beak (profile view). A long tail and a long, black and curved beak also are noticeable traits. This species was observed off the coast of Torrey Pines beach and was seen flying from tree to tree. This species feeds on fruits and insects which are both found in the chaparral habitat it calls home. It utilizes the dense shrubbery to make its nesting sites as well as its long curved beak to dig for insects. It plays a prominent role in keeping insect populations in check while providing a food source to larger birds such as hawks and its eggs provide sources of food to lizards
and smaller mammals and rodents.

Yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia) is a spider that is known for its yellow to orange coloration. Its oval-shaped abdomen is black and bears a yellow or orange pattern. Its cephlothorax usually contains short light colored hairs. Its eight legs are usually extended while in pairs of twos, similar to an “X”. The garden spider eats other insects and plays an important role in keeping insect populations in check. They also provide a food source for birds, lizards, and other insects throughout the ecoregion.

3)
I believe the torrey pine is extremely rare due to the conditions in which it grows. It is only found in Torrey Pines State Park as well as Santa Rosa (which is a subspecies). I believe due to the chaparral conditions, which are only located in a few parts of the world is the main reason the torrey pine is rare. The extremely drought stricken environment provides little rain, but because it is close to the shore its able to absorb the fog mist to survive. Another reason its rare is due to the quality of soil that its able to live within. The loose, sandy coastal shore provides very little nutrients and makes for little stability (which is an erosion threat), which is why the roots of the torrey pine are usually very expansive. With the dry conditions and little rain present, its bark isn't of any instrumental value, so big lumber companies aren't trying to mass produce these trees and that is another reason there are so few.

Alden, P., & Heath, F. (1998). National Audubon Society Field Guide to California. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knof.

Human impact was evident throughout the visit to SCNR. The beach shore was contaminated by trash and clearly showed that humans often visit to enjoy leisure time, but do not always take into account their actions on the surrounding environment. On a positive note, another human impact was the implementation of new plant life being cultivated and grown to try and establish more green life within the park.

The cliff top was home to various types of succulent plant life. Each of the succulents are modified to prevent the lost of water and store as much as possible. They consist of adaptations to their leaves such as spines, or broad, fleshy leaves and waxy coatings. The coast cholla (Cylindropuntia prolifera) is a branched, shrub like form of cactih and has roots close to the surface of the soil to absorb any amount of water from rainfall or blown in as mist from the beach. Its spines act as a form of protection against animals who may try to consume it. Swan-neck agave (Agave attenuata) and aloe vera are types of succulent that are pale green in color and grows fleshy leaves. These leave types (large, flat, fleshy) help to absorb as much water as possible in the dry conditions. Aloe vera leaves are also rigid and contain spines along the outer edges to help prevent being eaten by animals. The crystalline ice plant is another succulent. This species is invasive and prospers in eroded and disturbed coastlines. The crystalline plant was observed forming low to the ground beds of formations. It is a halophyte that does well in saline soils as well as nutritionally poor soils. It does this by utilizing CAM photosynthesis to increase water and photosynthetic efficiency.

Acorn barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides) are crustaceans that are free floating as larvae but are completely sessile as adults. They attach to hard surfaces such as rocks, wharfs, or ships. Acorn barnacles are located in the intertidal zone and have adaptations to survive during low tide. Filter feeding for plankton occurs during high tide. Its hard covered shell is equipped to withstand heavy crashing waves as well as preserving water during low tide.

Aggregating anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima) are invertebrates that inhabit the lower intertidal zone or shallow subtidal zone. These anemones can form massive colonies due to their cloning reproductive methods. They have stinging nematocysts to catch prey, which include small crabs, snails, and small fish. Their tentacles retract during low tide to help conserve water. They also are host to microscopic algae, that perform photosynthesis. Anemones are food for other marine animals such as sea slugs, crabs, and starfish.

Surf grass (Phyllospadix torreyi) is an angiosperm with cylindrical, wiry leaves. It is not an alga. It can be located at the intertidal/subtidal border during low tide. Surf grass is vital to many invertebrates and species of algae as it provides shelter and acts as a nursery habitats to some marine species. Surf grass beds also filter water clarity by trapping sediment and decrease wave and current severity before coming to shore.

Striped shore crab (Pachygrapsus crassipes) is located within the intertidal zone and can be found in crevices and in tide pools. Its carapace is a dark purple to black and has a horizontal striping pattern. Its claws are usually red with a pattern as well. They spend the majority of time out of water, but need to return to wet their gills. These crabs eat algae as well as small limpets, snails, and also scavenge decaying animal matter at times. They in turn are food source for gulls, octopus, and some humans.

Western sea roach (Ligia occidentalis) is a crustacean that resembles a silverfish. It has both marine and terrestrial adaptations. Its lifecycle is spent on the rocky surfaces of the intertidal zone and it steers clear of sand and water because both opens threats of predation. It must dip into water to keep gills moist, but cannot be fully aquatic for long periods of time. They also are well adapted for dessication.

Alden, P., & Heath, F. (1998). National Audubon Society Field Guide to California. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knof.

1)
The crystalline ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) is the species in the photo. This species was located along the cliff tops, roadsides, as well as disturbed soil locations. Its formations of beds low to the ground, in areas not inhabited by other plants, suggests that it has adapted an ability to absorb moisture from the soil and outcompete nearby plants.

2)
The coast cholla (Cylindropuntia prolifera) is a branched, shrub like form of cacti. It has prominent oval tubercles and clusters of 6 to 12 brownish spines. Deep pink flowers sprout from the green fruit it produces. It has roots close to the surface of the soil to absorb any amount of water from rainfall or blown in as mist from the beach. Its spines act as a form of protection against animals who may try to consume it. Also the spines act in reproducing new cacti if the fall off or get carried to a new location by an animal.

The darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae family) is a beetle family composed of black, dark brown, grey coloration. They also have a fused wing structure so and are unable to fly, but the feature also prevents drying out. Darkling beetles eat fresh and decaying plant matter. Their role also includes providing a food source for other insects, lizards, rodents, and small mammals.

Alden, P., & Heath, F. (1998). National Audubon Society Field Guide to California. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knof.

Acorn barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides), shield limpets (Lottia pelta), and common periwinkles (Littorina littorea) all competing for space on a rock.

Aggregating anenome (Anthopleura elegantissima) competing with chiton (Cyanoplax hartwegii) and california mussels (Mytilus californianus) ((located in 2nd pic)) for a space in a rock indention.