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Home My WebLink About3184; CANNON ROAD WEST; SURVEY OF VEGETATION; 1995-08-16C Survey of Vegetation Dunn Property August 16, 1995 TABLE OF CONTENTS oage 1 Overview - Scope of Study . Background, .1 'Study Approach and Methodology . . 2. Findings . 2 Conclusion . . 5 . . Sensitive Species Observed ' . 6 Species List by Area 6 Vernal Pool Species List . . 9 References 9 Prepared for: NBH Liquidating Trust Dallas, Texas 75211-0129 (214) 331-1396 Prepared by: Planning Systems: Greg Evans, Landscape Architect LA#3900 2111 'Palomar Airport Road, Suite 100 Carlsbad, CA 92009 ' (619) 931-0780 SURVEY OF VEGETATION.. DUNN PROPERTY OVERVIEW - SCOPE OF STUDY The purpose of this vegetation survey is to classify vegetation on-site, to measure habitat area, to provide a list of species, and to prepare a map-with summary data representing findings. This survey will provide a detailed assessment of site vegetation, but does not address other biotic elements. Botanical field work was conducted on June 16 & 17, 1995, and instrument surveying followed during several days thereafter. Area calculations are the product of a combination of instrument surveying and aerial photo interpretation, as conditioned by site limitations. .• BACKGROUND Project Location The Dunn Property is an undeveloped 40.78 acre parcel located approximately 2- 1/2 miles from the coast in Carlsbad, California., (refer to the enclosed map for a legal description). It is bordered to the north by greenhouses and agriculture, to the east by recently dedicated open space, (a part of Carlsbad Habitat Management,HMP, Plan Planning Area 5), to the south by agriculture, residences, and undisturbed vegetation, and to the west by agriculture and undisturbed vegetation. El Camino Real bisects the property into two pieces, the eastern portion approximately 6 acres in size, and the western portion approximately 32 acres in size. The Dunn Property is located in the area proposed for the future Poinsettia Lane extension to El Camino Real. Both alternative A and Alternative B alignments would impact some site habitat. Existing Conditions Currently, the property exists in an undeveloped state, excepting the northeast corner of the site which appears to have supported agriculture in the past. Site topography slopes generally southwest from a mesa occupying the northeastern portion of the property. The mesa sharply breaks off into a severely eroded ravine system that drains the site to a low point at the southwest corner of the property. Several bare earth roadways have been carved through the vegetation for vehicles accessing adjoining property to the west and the south. A 200' wide SDG&E transmission easement bisects the site from southeast to northwest, traversing approximately 8 acres of the site. Previous Biological Analysis The site has been the subject of at least two vegetation studies in the past. These studies were large in scope, and not specifically conducted for the Dunn Property. The intensity of analysis for these studies in terms of the Dunn property is not known, but it is probable that a small amount of field work was done on the Dunn property. This intensity of field work would be in keeping with the overall scope of these past projects. One of the documents referenced was the Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan, which includes a "Vegetation Map" that locates plant communities on-site. This map is comprised of an aggregate of previous biological studies. Classification of the plant communities in some instances is similar, and in Dunn Property- Surveyof Vegetation . page 1 some instances different from the findings of this study. Its is likelythat the discrepancies between the HMP biology findings and the current findings presented here is a matter of the intensity of review performed for this study. Biological analysis pertaining to the site was also performed in conjunction with the Carlsbad Zone 20 Specific Plan, December, 1991. Vegetation on-site was classified to assess what habitat would be effected by the Future Poinsettia Road alignment alternatives. The Biological Resources Technical Report was performed by Brian F Mooney Associates. Again, this biological report focused on a large area of land, and it is likely that much less field work was performed on the Dunn property than was performed for the present study. The Zone 20 biology findings generally conform to the findings of this report, however, this study reaches conclusions that are in some instances are significantly different than preceding biological analysis. The differences in findings of the studies are due primarily to the discoveryof Arctostaphylos glandulosa spp. crassifolia on-site, and the discovery of vernal pool associated species. These plants could have been easily missed by an abbreviated field review, and the vernal pool species may have been much more pronounced during this wet spring condition than in previous years of drought. STUDY APPROACH and METHODOLOGY This study began with collecting existing information including: reviewing maps, (including orthophotos), reviewing past biological studies, and reviewing site survey information. The biological team, which included a botanist, two biologists, and a landscape architect, conducted a field survey using a 100 scale orthophoto map with easement information overlaid. Staking the plant communities for instrument survey was then accomplished by two of the biological team members. Surveying was then performed to measure the size of plant communities. Fine tuning of plant community location and size was performed by comparing orthophoto and field survey information with the instrument survey data. Final plant community areas were computed using Autocad. Biological mapping was compiled by Planning Systems using survey information supplied by the Baak Consulting Group. Plant lists, habitat classifications, and a field report provided by Ecometrics Environmental Services are incorporated into this report. FINDINGS SOUTHERN MARITIME CHAPARRAL Chaparral exists on approximately 22 acres, or half of the site. Previous biological analysis has termed this vegetation, Mixed Chaparral, with Comarstaphylos diversifolia noted as a community component. Field observations for this study located numerous Arctostaphylos glandulosa spp. crassifolla specimens, a primary indicator species of Southern Maritime Chaparral. Soil supporting the Chaparral is classified as LvF3, (Loamy alluvial land-Huerhuero complex, 9-50% slopes, severely eroded). "This complex occurs on old coastal ridges. Sparse coastal chaparral grows on these soils and in soft spots in the sandstone and shale."1 This 1 'Soil Survey, San Diego Area California, U.S. Department of Agriculture Dunn Property- Survey of Vegetation page 2 soil complex extends westward into part of the Aviara development where Southern Maritime Chaparral has been identified. This Aviara vegetation is currently proposed as a preserved open space area. The California Department of Fish and Game is requiring Southern Maritime Chaparral mitigation for damage that will occur due to proposed development. In light of this information, a classification of Southern Maritime Chaparral is warranted. The Dunn Chaparral is apparently part of a contiguous mass of Southern Maritime Chaparral coursing through several local properties, its full extent unknown at present. Area 1 -This area is a severely eroded small valley or large ravine which occupies the southwestern portion of the plot. It is bounded to the north by steep bluffs, to the east by the mesa at the head of the ravines, and El Camino Real, and to the south and west by the plot boundaries. Dominate vegetation is Adenostoma fasciculaturn, and with a strong admixture of Salvia mellifera and Mimulus puniceus. Arctostapyhlos glandulosa spp. crassifolia, Comarostaphylis diversifolia, Malosma laurina, Rhus integrifolia, and Xylococcus bicolor are common. Opuntia literalis and Yucca schidigera are also present. Area 3 - This north-facing slope is located in the northwest corner of the plot. It is bounded to the south by the flat ridge top, and to the north by the unpaved access. road at the bottom of the ridge. The vegetation is dominated by Adenostoma fasciculatum. There are scattered individuals of Rhus integrifolia, Xylococcus bicolor, Cornarostaphylis diversifolia and Arctostaphylos glandulosa var. crassifolia. Mimulus puneceus is common and there are occasional individuals of Salvia mellifera and Eriogonurn fascisula turn. Area 8 - This area is a southwest trending broad ravine of triangular shape, bordered by -a mesa to the north, bottom of slope to the west , and the property line to the east. This Southern Maritime Chaparral is dominated by Adenostoma fasciculatum, with Mimulus puneceus, Xylococcus bicolor, Rhus integrifolia, Comarostaphylis diversifolia and Quercus durnosa present. VERNAL POOLS The "mesa portion of the site, occurring in the northeastern portion of the property supports over 2.5 acres of watershed area that feeds at least eight vernal pools,. (See species list page ?). Soil supporting the vernal pools is classified as Huerhuero loam, 5 to 9% slopes. "This soil is gently sloping and undulating. Low broad-based hummocks, locally called minimounds, occur in undisturbed areas. The slope is dominantly 2 to 5 percent."2 A portion of the pool and watershed area shows past farm equipment disturbance, but vernal pool plants grow unimpeded by this past disturbance. Not all of the indicator species listed, (see Appendix A), were found in all of the eight pools, but accumulated data suggests that all eight depression are vernal pools. The Vernal Pools and their watershed are located in vegetation classified as Disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub. Area 2 - The northeastern portion of area 2 is a depression which appears to collect and retain water during the rainy season. Dried algal mats were evident 2 "Soil Survey, San Diego Area California, U.S. Department of Agriculture Dunn Property - Survey of Vegetation . . page 3 around the. edges of the depression. Tire tracks and broken asphalt were also present suggesting periodic disturbance. However, this seasonal wetland supports several species (e.g., Brodiaea orcuttii, Juncus dubius, Juncus bufonius, Elatine brachysperma) which are generally associated with wetlands or vernal pools. As well as being a wetland and vernal pool associate, Brodiaea orcuttii is designated as a sensitive species (CNPS, 1994). Area 6 - The northern portion of area 6 is a gently undulating area that appears to have been disced some time in the past; the ground is broken by east-west furrows. The area supports disturbed coastal sage scrub with low density of Artemisia californica and Baccharis pilularis. Hemizonia fasciculata was abundant. The dominant species are non-native grasses, non-native thistles, and wild mustard. Within this disturbed matrix there are several depressions which not only contained species often found in temporary wetlands in San Diego County (e.g., Ana galls minimus, Hemizonia fasciculata, Pilularia americana, Plantago erecta, and Psiocarphus tennella), but also characteristic vernal pools species (e.g, Deschampsia danthonoides, Myosurus minimus, and Psiocarpus brevissimus). There are at least seven vernal pools ranging from about 4 or 5 square meters in area to perhaps 30 square meters. For pool size information see Vernal Pool Summary chart on the Vegetation Inventory map. DIEGAN COASTAL SAGE SCRUB /_DISTURBED COASTAL SAGE SCRUB Approximately three acres of Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub, and approximately 11 acres of Disturbed Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub exist on-site.. This analysis is similar to past biological studies. Designating Three acres as "not disturbed" and 11 acres as "disturbed" is based upon a visual assessment of how "degraded" the community appeared, primarily in terms of invasive species. Areas 4 and 5 - Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub - These areas share edges with Disturbed Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub, and are located on the mesa rim just west of El Camino Real. The terrain is flat or gently sloping. The vegetation is coastal sage scrub that integrates with the chaparral to the west. It is dominated by Artemisia californica and Salvia mellifera. To the north it grades into disturbed coastal sage scrub (Area 3) characterized by low density of bushes and relatively high density of exotics. - Area 7 - Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub - Along the eastern property line and on the mesa top is a small area of Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub. This dense Diegan coastal sage scrub is comprised of Artemisia californica, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Salvia mellifera, and Encelia californica. Several Sambucus mexicana are also present. A portion of the watershed that serves Vernal Pools #5, 6, and 7 is located in this area. ' Area 9 - Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub - Near the southern property border, on a southwest facing mesa top is a small grouping of sage scrub. This stand is dominated by Artemesia californica, with Salvia mellifera, and Eriogonum fasciculatum as components. Lessingia filaginifolia, a sensitive species (CNPS, 1994), is common in the area. Dunn Property - Survey of Vegetation page 4 Area 6 - Disturbed Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub - This area occupies a mesa top and a finger of disturbed vegetation bordering El Camino Real. It is bounded to the north by a fence and overgrown track south of a greenhouse, to the east by an unpaved access road and the SDG&E easement, and to the west by El Camino Real, and to the south by the mesa rim. The northern flat area appears to have been disced some time in-the past and the ground is broken by east-west furrows. The northern two-thirds of the flat area is disturbed coastal sage scrub with low density of Artemisia californica and Baccharis pilularis. Hemizonia fasciculata was abundant. The dominant species are non-native grasses, non-native thistles, and wild mustard. Area 2- Disturbed Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub - This relatively flat area occupies the ridge top at the north end of the property, and extends southward along El Camino Real. It is cut by several unpaved access roads and tracks and contains a good deal of debris that has been dumped in several piles. The native vegetation Was probably Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub similar to areas 4 and 5. The dominant bush is sparse Artemisa californica. The area is now dominated by non-native grasses and thistles. However, several important natives are present. Lessingia filaginifolia, a sensitive species (CNPS, 1994), is common in the area. Since it was not in bloom the variety could not be determined, but it is likely to be the variety incana. Brodiaea orcuttii was also present in vernal pool area #1 and approximately 400' west in a small triangle of vegetation bounded by access roads near the easternmost part of area 3. This triangle of vegetation could be connected to the vernal pool #1. OAK WOODLAND This community occurs in two drainage corridors on-site. Quercus agrifolia, Quercus dumosa, and Quercus engelmanii are present. Crossing of species is evident. Areas 1 a & 1 b - Two oak woodland areas are distinct on-site, the larger of the two occupying the bottom of the small valley in the southwest corner of the property. The smaller one occurs in the severely eroded ravine in the south-central portion of the property. Quercus agrifolia dominates both areas with Quercus dumosa present. Quercus engelmanni, a sensitive species, is present, as is 0. engelmanni / x 0. dumosa. - CONCLUSION The Dunn Property is singled out by the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan as a "Wildlife Corridor", (WC 4-5), acting as a bridge between Preserve Planning Areas 4 and 5 in the southern part of the city. For this reason alone, it is desirable that this property be left in an undisturbed condition. The discovery that this property, also contains two very sensitive plant communities makes it a somewhat rare and significant biological resource. Southern Maritime Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub are plant communities currently "protected" by resource agencies, and are therefore desirable as mitigation land. Usually a "Disturbed" community such as Disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub would not be a candidate for mitigation because of its degraded condition. But due to the significance of this location, it is worth pursuing the possibility that this land may also be salable. Dunn Property - Survey of Vegetation S page 5 SENSITIVE SPECIES OBSERVED status on-site Occurs in Southern Maritime Arctostaphylos glandulosa USFWS Category 2 ssp. crassifolia . Chaparral in areas 1, 3 & 8 and in Coastal Sage Scrub area 9. Brodiaea orcuttii USFWS Category 2 Occurs at Vernal Pool edges and CNPS List 1 B within ephemeral streams in area 2. Comarostaphylis diversifolia USFWS Category 2 Occurs in Southern Maritime ssp. diversifolia : CNPS List 1 B Chaparral in areas 1, 3 & 8. Lessingia filaginifolia USFWS Category 2 Occurs in Sage Scrub and Southern CNPSList lB Maritime Chaparral in areas 1,2, & 9. Quercus dumosa USFWS Category 2 Occurs in Oak Woodland and • Southern Maritime Chaparral in Areas 1, & lb. Quercus engelmanni CNPS List Occurs in Oak Woodland areas 1 a & lb. SPECIES LIST by AREA Dunn Property Areas 1. 1 a & 1 b - Southern Mixed Chaparral and Oak Woodland Adenostoma faciculatum Agrostis diegoensis Antirrhinum nuttallianum Arctostaphylos glandu losa sp. crassifolia Calochortus weedii Comarostaphylos diversifolia Dudleya lanceolata Eriophyllum confertiflorum Hazardia squarrosus Gnaphalium bicolor Gnaphalium californicum Gasoul nodiflorum lrr'nm Mimulus puneceus Lotus scoparius Malosoma laurina Opuntia littoralis Opuntia prolifera Pterostegia drymariodes Quercus agrifolia Quercus dumosa Quercus dumosa x Quercus engelmannii Quercus engelmannii Salsola australis Rhus integrifolia Area 2 - Disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub with Wetlands and Vernal Pool Amaranthus sp. Euphorbia maculatum Anagalus arvensis . . Geranium carolina Artemisia californica Gnaphalium bicolor Atriplex semibaccata Gnaphalium plaustre Baccharis salicifolius Helianthemum scoparium Brodiaea orcuttii . Hemizonia fasciculata Bromus hordeaceus spp. molliformis Hirshfeldia incana Bromus madritensis spp. rubens S Isocomaveneta Calochortus weedii . Juncus bufonius Carnissonia bistorta Juncus dubius Centunculus minimus Lactuca seriola Centurea melitensis Lotus scoparius Chenopodium ambrosiodes Lythrum hyssopifoliurn Chiorogalum parviflorum . Malva parviflora Cirsium sp. Melilotus indicus Cirsium occidentalis Navarretia attractyloides Conium maculatumP enesetum setaceum Corethrogyne filaginifolia (incana? Pentagramma viscosa - assumed from previous study Plantago erecta before flowering) Portulaca oleracea Daucus. pusillus . . Quercus agrifolia Dichelostemma pulchellum Rumex crispus Dudleya lanceolata Solanum xantii Elatine brachysperma Sonchus asper Eleocharis montevidensis . Spergularia arvensis Eriogonum fasciculatum Vicia sativa Erodium botrys\ . Vulpia myuros Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia Yucca gloriosa Area 3 - Southern Maritime Chaparral Adenostoma facicu latum . Raphanus sativa Arctostaphylos glandulosa sp. crassifolia Salvia mellifera Cardionema ramosissimum Selaginella bigelovii Hypochoeris glabra Stylocline gnaphli.odes Lobelia aeronus Xyloccocus bicolor Quercus dumosa . Yucca schidigera Areas 4 & 5 - Coastal Sage Scrub. Amsinkia intermedia S Hemizonia fasciculata Artemisia catifornica . Isocoma veneta Baccharis pilularus S Marah macrocarpa Bromus madritensis spp. rubens . Melica imperfecta Centarium venustum 0 Nasella lepida Cryptantha intermedia S Nicotiana glauca Eriogonum fasciculatum Salvia mellifera Gnaphalium californicum S Yucca schidigera Dunn Property - Survey of Vegetation page 7 Area 6 - Disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub and Alopecurus sp. Vernal Pool Hirshfeldia incana Anagolis minimum Lobelia aernus Artemisia californica Lupinus bicolor Avena barbata Myosurus .minimus Baccharis pilularis var. consanguinea Pilularia amer Centarium venustum Plantago erecta Centurea melitensis Polypogon monspeliensis Deschampsia danthoniodes. Psilocarpus brevissimus. Eriogonum fasciculatum Psilocarpus tenellus Hemizonia fasciculata Sambucus mexicana Area 7 - Coastal Sage Scrub Artemisia californica Chamaesyce sp. Chrysanthemum coranarium Cordylanthus filifolius Ehrhardta calycina Encelia californica Area 8 - Southern Maritime Chaparral Adenostoma faciculatum Arctostaphylos glandulosa sp. crassifolia Comarostaphylos diversifOlia Mimulus puneceus Eriastrum sapppharinum Eriogonum fasciculatum Galium angustifolium Muhlenbergia microsperma Salvia mellifera Sambucus mexicana Rhus integrifolia Salvia mellifera Quercus dumosa Xyloccus bicolor Artemisia californica Bromus madritensis spp. rubens Centarium venustum Dudleya lanceclata Eriogonum fasciculatum Gnaphalium californicum Hemizonia fasciculata Isocoma veneta Corethrogyne filaginifolia (incäna?) Lotus scoparius Nicotiana glauca Rhus integrifolia Salvia mellifera Vulpia myuros Yucca schidigera Dunn Property - Survey of Vegetation page 8 VERNAL POOL SPECIES LIST IPool Number I Species 1 2 3 4 5a 5b 6 7 8 Algal mats - x x Alopecurus sp. Brodiaea orcuttii x Callitnche longipedunculata x x x x Centunculus minimus x x x x x I x x Deschampsia danthoniodes. x x x x x x Elatine. brachysperma x x Eleocharis montevidensis x Hemizonia fasciculata x x x x x x x x Juncus dubius x Juncus bufonius x x x x. x x x x .Lythrum hyssopifolium S - - - Myosurus minimus x I I x x Pilularia americana x x x Plantago erecta x x x x x Polypogon monspeliensis x x x x x x x .Psilocarpus brevissimus - x x - - x x x Psilocarpus tenellus x x I x x x x x x x Selaginella bigelovii - . - REFERENCES "Biological Resources and Habitat Analysis in support of the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan", Michael Brandman Associates, August 1992. "Biological Technical Report for Green. Valley" Sweetwater Environmental Biologists, Inc., August 1993 "Habitat Survey of Dunn Property" Ecometrics Environmental Services, June 1995. "Sensitive Species List for the Western San Diego Region", July 15, 1995 San Diego Association of Governments. "Soil Survey", San Diego Area, California", United States Department of Agriculture, December 1973 "Technical Appendices for the Zone 20 Specific Plan Project, Carlsbad, California", Brian F. Mooney Associates, December, 1991. 11 Dunn Property . Survey of Vegetation S page 9 area ______ description: ' acreage' _ TOTAL I . .SMC ] CSS"I"BCSSIOAK W: 1:':': jj b ''SOUTHERN MARITIME CHAPARRAL OAK WOODLAND . ......: : OAK WOODLAND ' . . . 1.34: 025 . -2079, 2 DISTURBED COASTAL SAGE -:SCRUB . -': 735 ' "' 35 '. -. 3 VERNAL"POOL'#1 ...... .......... SOUTHERN MARITIME CHAPARRAL 150 150 4 COASTAL SAGE SCRUB 034 034 5 COASTAL: 'SAGE: SCRUB :' : ::'. : ,, 1.27 :',.: : 1.27', '6' " DISTURBED 'COASTAL' SAGE 'SCRUB" :::VERNAL POOLS #a3,456,,7.8 , 3.67. ' ' 3.67. 7 COASTAL SAGE SCRUB 089 089 '8 'SOUTHERN: MARITIME, CHAPARRAL:: :' , 1.5 ,::: :::': , : .1.45: 9 COASTAL_SAGESCRUB _:':,,,,: j,, [1,45-1 - :0.45.. TOTAL 2215 f 295 1 1102 159 ___3771 - .;•:•. •:. •.': I= . . \ \ I NOTE' EL Camino Real roadway area = 255 acres 2 \'\T_:_:_:_I_I_:_::_ SENSITIVE _SPECI ES VERNAL __POOL SUMMARY - ----------------------\- : '•: - BrOr Brodiaea orcuttil - •H ' \:'. "_ - \ \ \' :_ - LeFI Lessingia fltaginif'otla (Incana?) :-:-:-:sc:-i--:-:-:-:-:-\ç ' '.. '4 4• \ \ QD Quercus dumosa P \ \ \ --i- QE Quercus engetmannhi -\-:..---- ----:-:-:-:-:-:---:-:---:-:-:-:---i-i-i-i-i\-i-i-i-i-i-i-i- ( V-I NOTE' Numerous Del Mar Manzanhta and - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - " •:: •.. .:: ':':--_ Summer Holly were observed in 7. Southern Maritime Chaparral on-site :i'::? 1111ii- ENGINEER OF WORK' OF PREPARATION J_area_I_description i. CAMSBAD PARTN13M LTD AREA _261 + _'"., 10265 KESA I4ADERA DRIVE SAN D1E CA 92131 (619) 579-6331 NDR1H 0 100' 0' 400' LEGAL DESCRIPTION' famn ILGJST195 THE' SOUTHEAST 'QUARTER OF THE SCIJTHVEST QUARTER OF SECTION 2 :TUVN11P le s .mt RANSE 4 VESt' PLA4LNG ' . , NOTE' Vegetation area size is approximate conditioned by survey methods and field conditions si BRDINI BASE AND KER1DIA IN Tht SYSTEMS COUNTY OF SAN 01E STATE OF CALIFORNIA '& ,. osago ... ' ••• ' ' POOL WATERSHED 42A87 :0,97 c W-P2-8 POOL WATERSHED 71454 sf, 165 ac pool 'description , acreage",," -' P1 ' :VERNAL. PEIIJL 2871 sf,'O.07 ac VERNAL PODL::: :1505sF _0.03ac:: P3: : VERNAL POOL 926 sF, 002 ac P4 VERNAL POOL' ' 1172 sf,' 003 ac, P5 VERNAL POOL 438 sF 0 ac p6: VERNAL PODL''798 sF 0.02 ac: P7 ' -VERNAL POOL ",1028sf, 0.02'ac' PB 'VERNAL TOOL 155sf. D..ac TOTAL __I_':..,., '8892's,020_70Lc