Griffith Park Wildlife

Daniel S. CooperCooper Ecological Monitoring, Inc.Pasadena, California

Park geography Next exit

Introduction to major habitats 1/4 mi.

Griffith Park critters 1/2 mi.

The Fire of 2007 3/4 mi.

Threats to Griffith Park 1 mi.

GRIFFITH PARK GEOGRAPHY

Hollywood/Los Feliz

Burbank1

2

3

4

5

1. 134 Fwy.2. Forest Lawn3. L.A. River/ I-54. H’wood Reservoir5. 101 Fwy.

Griffith Park

MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:“Southern Mixed Chaparral”

Dominated by evergreen shrubs, most of which are found only in California (Ceanothus, Toyon, Chamise, Mtn.-Mahogany).

Fire-dependent

High species diversity

“Aquired taste”

MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:“Oak Woodland”

Shady groves in canyons and terraces along streams.

Dominated by 1 species (Coast Live Oak)

Fire-tolerant

Wildlife magnet

People magnet

MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:“Sycamore Woodland”

Towering trees (Western Sycamore) along streams and former stream courses.

Largely converted to picnic areas within park.

Fire-damaged

Wildlife magnet (esp. birds)

People magnet

MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:“Coastal Sage Scrub”

Low-growing scrubland on loose, eroding soils; dominated by species found only in California.

Fire-maintained, but destroyed by frequent fire.

High plant, animal diversity (esp. reptiles and butterflies).

MAJOR HABITATS OF GRIFFITH PARK:“Rock Outcrops”

Unique gardens of lichens and succulents.

Largely inaccessible (with a few exceptions).

Poorly-studied.

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARK:Reptiles/Amphibians

All widespread terrestrial Santa Monica Mtns. species present and common.

One (?) aquatic species (Pacific Treefrog)

Still need to determine status of:- Side-blotched Lizard- Western Toad- Arboreal Salamander- Coast Horned Lizard- “Rare snakes”

Striped Racer, Western Whiptail Pacific Treefrog,

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARK:Mammals

All widespread large and mid-sized mammals of Santa Monica Mtns. species resident (except Mountain Lion)

Populations likely inflated by feeding, dumping, and landscaping.

Still need to determine status of most/all small mammals (e.g. mice, shrews)

Bobcat, Gray Fox, Raccoon

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARK:Birds

Most bird species of Santa Monica Mtns. present in proper habitat.

# of riparian birds along canyons depressed; likely due to degraded habitat.

Limited “infiltration” of urban birds into park interior (= a good thing!)

Purple Finch, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Western Bluebird

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARKPlants

Eastern extension of Santa Monica Mtns.

Locally-rare species scattered; along streams, on rock outcrops, within dry scrub, etc.

Native flora historically viewed as “problem,” fixed through planting exotics.

Research ongoing (R. Fisher, City of L.A.)

Humboldt Lily Brush/Spring Cyn. c. 20 plants in park

(Clockwise, from upper left): Leptodactylon californicum, Clarkia bottae, Dudleya lanceolata, Keckiella cordifolia

SENSITIVE SPECIES OF GRIFFITH PARK

WILDLIFE (per DFG)“Ashy” Rufous-crowned Sparrow - Arid slopes and roadcuts, esp.

buckwheat. 20+ pairs in park.

Yellow Warbler - 5+ pairs nest in willows along L.A. River channel.

California Legless-Lizard - recorded vic. L.A. Zoo in sandy soil; #s?

Coastal Western Whiptail - Arid scrub; 100s in park.

Coast Horned Lizard - Historical only?

PLANTS (per CNPS)Calandrinia breweri - historical records from Vermont Cyn. (pictured)Lilium humboldtii - Fern, Brush Cyns.Berberis nevinii - probably derived from planted individualsAnd, possibly 18 others known from eastern Sta. Monica Mtns.

The Fire of 2007 - assessing the effects

Most/all habitat types affected

No unique habitat affected

800+ acres transformed (not “lost”)

Wake-up call

THREATS TO WILDLIFE AND HABITATSIdentify: “problem spots”

“problem forces”

Popular trailheads

Interior picnic areas

Exotic/Invasive species

Off-leash dogs

THANKS!

Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council

Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks

City of Los Angeles

Franklin Hills Residents Association

Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council

Paul Mathewson, Stephanie Spehar, Martin Byhower (fieldwork)