Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy

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Land Management Plan Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy Camatta Ecology/Research/Education- Interpretation Acres: 55 September 2005 Places: Pozo/La Panza Description of values: The Red Hill Road is so-named because of the red soil that is evident atop the old plateau where the Red Hill Road begins. On either side of this plateau, erosion has worn away the side and washed away the red soil. Chamise chaparral and blue oak woodlands are found on the slopes and bottomlands; however, the area bisected by the Red Hill Road is a savannah at best, as the thin, rocky red soil is apparently inhospitable to tree and shrub. The vegetation of the botanical special interest area is not well described in the ecological literature and is best termed flower fields. Nonnative annuals such as filaree and foxtail are present, but native annuals and perennials form a dominant component of the vegetation and feature one threatened species (Camatta Canyon amole) and a second narrow endemic (Dwarf calycadenia). Camatta Canyon amole (Chlorogalum purpureum reductum) is a threatened species and is found only in this area, partly on private land and mostly on National Forest System land. Dwarf Calycadenia (Calycadenia villosa) is a sensitive species and this form of the species is apparently restricted to about four locations, all of which are in or adjacent to the La Panza Range. The soil type here is unique and is apparently found nowhere else. The area provides ecologists and biogeographers an opportunity to study ecological relations, gene flow, population biology, and effects of grazing. The Red Hill Road area also provides excellent opportunities for guided and self-guided interpretation. The Red Hill Road area is a well-known location. Botanists visit the area in the spring to enjoy wildflowers and to see rare plants. Stargazers occasionally gather at night in the open plateau. Off-highway vehicle riders often stage from an informal parking area located along Red Hill Road. Campers and picnickers occasionally use the area for dispersed recreation. The area is within the Navajo Allotment. Description of area: The Red Hill Road botanical Special Interest Area is located on the border of the national forest near the La Panza Range. Access: From California State Highway 101, east on California State Highway 58, or from Interstate 5, west on California State Highway 58, to Forest Road 29S15 (Red Hill Road). The botanical Special Interest Area is immediately south of the intersection of California State Highway 58 and Red Hill Road. Desired condition: Vegetation is not adversely affected and natural disturbance processes function within historic range of variability. Recreation use is mostly in the form of nonmotorized day-use with increased emphasis on interpreting and appreciating natural history. Page 102
September 2005 Land Management Plan Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy Mono Basin Ecology/Research/Education- Interpretation/Recreation Page 103 Places: Figueroa-Santa Ynez, and San Rafael Acres: 9,120 Description of values: The Mono Basin area in the upper Santa Ynez Watershed has long been recognized for the richness of its biodiversity, unmatched by any other area of comparable size in the national forests of southern California. This feature is made possible by the diversity and condition of the habitats in the basin, which includes various age classes and conditions of most upland and riparian/aquatic types. The upland areas are characterized by chaparral (xeric to mesic) on west to south facing slopes, various live and valley oak woodlands along canyons and valley bottoms and potrero grassland scattered throughout, but especially along mid slopes and ridge systems. The area's aquatic and riparian habitats make the biggest contribution to the area's biodiversity. These habitats include one of the largest and most intact mid-elevation cottonwood/willow riparian woodland in southern California. Over 100 species of birds are known to nest or have otherwise been detected in this habitat. Over 60 of these species are neotropical migrants. Two of these migrants are listed under the State and Federal Endangered Species Acts (ESA); the least Bell's vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher, both endangered. The least Bell's vireo is known to nest and for that reason most of the habitat has been federally designated as critical to species recovery. This is the only such habitat on the Los Padres National Forest. Although the flycatcher is not known to nest, suitable habitat does exist and future nest surveys may be successful. There is a remarkable assemblage of reptiles and amphibians associated with the habitat, including the endangered arroyo toad and threatened California red-legged frog. In fact, the Mono Basin area is the only location on the Los Padres National Forest where the two coexist. Although widespread in proper habitat throughout the Los Padres National Forest, populations of twostriped garter snakes and southwestern pond turtles (both sensitive) are thought to be the largest and most secure on the Los Padres National Forest. The highlands on the north side of this ecological area are within the Sisquoc-San Rafael Condor Area, which is federally designated as critical to California condor (federally and state endangered) recovery. There are several historic California condor nest sites in this area. The scientific community is very interested in the Mono Basin area. Intensive studies of the least Bell's vireo breeding population, riparian bird community in general, and brown-headed cowbird-least Bell's vireo relationships have been and continue to be investigated in Mono Basin. The Upper Santa Ynez Recreation Area (three campgrounds) receives moderate use by the public with most occurring during the late summer/fall hunting season. Description of area: This ecological area is in the upper Santa Ynez Watershed in Santa Barbara County. It encompasses the Mono, Indian, Blue, Big and Little Caliente subbasins in their entirety and includes that section of the Santa Ynez basin from Alder Creek to Gibraltar Reservoir. Access: California State Highway 154 to East Camino Cielo to Forest Road 5N15 (Pendola Road) to Mono Campground; a distance of about 25 miles or two hours from Highway 154.
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United States Department of Agricul
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Land Management Plan Part 2 Los Pad
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APPENDIX A - SPECIAL DESIGNATION OV
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LM 1 - Landscape Aesthetics........
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Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy

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