General Plan Update - City of Inglewood

Chapter 5 Environmental Resources
those areas closest to the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and among those
mammals adaptable to human presence. These species include the California ground
squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), coyote (Canis latrans), and raccoon (Procyon lotor). Generally,
however, the numbers and kinds of mammals found within the City limits are low.
Plant Life
Review of GIS databases and aerial photographs indicate that there is little native
terrestrial vegetation within the City of Inglewood. The only relatively undisturbed areas
include those located near the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and the few open
space areas located in the City, and portions near the Centinela creek, and Dominguez
creek. No other area exists within the City limit that is able to support native plant
communities. The remaining open space within the City is located in public parks, which
typically do not contain natural or native vegetation. The principal terrestrial vegetation in
this highly urbanized setting consists of landscape vegetation and other cultivated species
with some invasive, weedy, non-native plants in areas that are not maintained. No unique
plants can be found at destinations within any of the City parks. However, descriptions
have been provided in Appendix B to illustrate the few types of plant life that exists in
some of the natural areas of the City as well as the surrounding areas.
Wildlife Movement
Wildlife corridors vary greatly in their overall significance. General information that
currently exists on corridors suggests that major drainages, canyon bottoms, and
ridgetops, as well as areas that provide important resources for wildlife, will be the most
significant for wildlife movement. In general, two types of corridors exist. Regional
corridors are generally those that allow movement between large, often widely separated
areas. These may connect National Forests, mountain ranges, or other major wildlife use
areas. Local wildlife corridors are those that allow dispersion between smaller, generally
more adjacent areas, such as between canyons or ridges, or important resource areas.
Due the highly-urbanized nature of the City, the potential for overland wildlife movement
through the majority of the City would be highly restricted. Some local movement of
wildlife would be expected to occur throughout the City.
Biological Resources within Inglewood Watersheds
The City of Inglewood is located within the upper boundaries of both the Ballona Creek
Watershed and the Dominguez Watersheds. Biological resources within Inglewood have
only been reported in the Dominquez Watershed.
Dominguez Watershed
Existing conditions of habitats and biological resources within the Dominguez Watershed
are summarized based on review of available reports, search of the California Natural
Diversity Database (CNDDB), and reconnaissance-level surveys. There are several types
of habitats within the Dominguez Watershed. The largest habitat is urban, developed
5.1-2
City of Inglewood General Plan Update Technical Background Report