Monterey Pine Forest

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A organizational summary, by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.

Immature Monterey pine cones

Monterey pine forest description

Map of Monterey pine forest distribution at the Ano Nuevo, Monterey Peninsula, and Cambria occurrences.
Douglas iris is a common understory plant species in Monterey pine forest
  • Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) is native to closed-cone coniferous forest within three distinct coastal areas in Central California. The Monterey pine is an evergreen conifer growing to heighs between 15 and 30 meters, with needles mostly 8-15 centimeters long and generally in bundles of three[1]. It's cones are asymmetrical, remain attached to branches for years and often open in response to fire or high temperatures
  • Monterey pine forest occurs within low elevations that are subject to marine climate influences and common are associated with sediments of marine origin. Soils in Monterey pine forest are often acidic with a distinct clay layer[2]

Locations of interest

  • Monterey pines are limited in occurrence. They are known from Monterey County (Monterey Peninsula), Santa Cruz/San Mateo County (Ano Nuevo) and San Luis Obispo County (Cambria).
  • Monterey pines are also known from two island populations off the coast of Baja California, Mexico: Isla Cedros and Isla Guadelupe[3]

Resources at stake

Hooker's manzanita occurring in the Monterey pine forest understory, Del Monte Forest, Pebble Beach, California
Federal endangered Yadon's piperia. Image Calflora

Monterey pine forest is a unique forest community that supports a variety of sensitive plant species, besides Monterey pine (a CNPS 1B.1 species) itself:

  • Hickman's onion (Allium hickmanii) (CNPS 1B.1)
  • Hooker's manzanita (Arctostaphylos hookeri ssp. hookeri) (CNPS 1B.2)
  • Pajaro manzanita (Arctostaphylos pajaroensis) (CNPS 1B.1)
  • Sandmat manzanita (Arctostaphylos pumila) (CNPS 1B.2)
  • Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa) (CNPS 1B.2)
  • Yadon's rein orchid (Piperia yadonii) (Federal endangered, CNPS 1B.1)
  • Hickman's cinquefoil (Potentilla hickmanii) (Federal endangered, State endangered, CNPS 1B.1)
  • Pine rose (Rosa pinetorum) (CNPS 1B.2)

Current protection plans

  • 275 acres of Monterey pine forest are preserved in the Huckleberry Hill Natural Habitat Area in Del Monte Forest, Pebble Beach, California

Laws, policies, and regulations

Monterey pines are identified in several local ordinances in Monterey County:

  • City of Carmel by the Sea: City code emphasizes protection of Monterey pine forest and Monterey pine trees. Removal of a Monterey pine requires a permit. [4]
  • City of Pacific Grove: City code states that Monterey pines >6-inches in diameter at 54-inches above ground are protected and require a permit for removal.[5]
  • City of Monterey: City code does not list Monterey pines specifically, but the City Forester can require replacement of removed trees at 1:1 or 3:1 mitigation ratios. Conifers >30-feet-high or 12-inches diameter at 54-inches above grade are considered "landmark" trees. [6]
  • Monterey County

Monterey pine forest is also recognized by State Agencies and Organizations

Central Coast Context

  • The three distinct U.S. populations of Monterey pines occur on the Central California Coast
  • The Monterey Peninsula occurrence is the largest worldwide [10]

Stakeholders

Related links

References

  1. Matthews, M.A. 2006. An illustrated field key to the flowering plants of Monterey County: California Native Plant Society
  2. Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program. 2006. Pinus radiata fact sheet http://www.elkhornsloughctp.org/factsheet/factsheet.php?SPECIES_ID=35
  3. Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program. 2006. Pinus radiata fact sheet http://www.elkhornsloughctp.org/factsheet/factsheet.php?SPECIES_ID=35
  4. City of Carmel Tree Ordinance https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/CarmelbytheSea/html/Carmel17/Carmel1748.html
  5. City of Pacific Grove Tree Ordinance https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/PacificGrove/html/PacificGrove12/PacificGrove1220.html
  6. Monterey Tree Ordinance https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Monterey/?Monterey37.html
  7. https://map.dfg.ca.gov/rarefind/view/RF_FieldDescriptions.htm
  8. http://www.rareplants.cnps.org/glossary.html
  9. Monterey County Local Coastal Program Major Amendment Number 1-05 (Measure A) https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2006/3/Th8b-3-2006.pdf
  10. Monterey County Local Coastal Program Major Amendment Number 1-05 (Measure A) https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2006/3/Th8b-3-2006.pdf

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.