(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CYPRESS and SANTA CRUZ
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Gymnosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - PINOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - PINOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - PINALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CUPRESSACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - CUPRESSUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - ABRAMSIANA,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - CUPRESSUS ABRAMSIANA
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Santa Cruz cypress
Cupressus abramsiana C.B. Wolf
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Pinophyta CLASS: Pinopsida
ORDER: Pinales FAMILY: Cupressaceae
Cupressus abramsiana is an erect densely branched tree growing to
10 meters high, with symmetrical pyramidal crown and branches nearly
to the ground. Bark is gray, rather thin, broken into vertical strips
or plates, or fibrous and shreddy. Foliage is rich light bright
green; branchlets are 1 to 1.5 mm thick; leaves are about 1.5 mm long,
acutish, with a closed dorsal pit. Male cones are 3 to 4 mm long,
usually with about 12 scales with 4 to 6 pollen sacs; female cones
subglobose or elongate, 20 to 30 mm long, usually with about 8 scales
having broad central humps; seeds about 62, angular, 3 to 5 mm long,
usually with a narrow hard wing and 3 to 4 cotyledons (01).
Significant differences exist between populations with respect to cone
size, and number of cone scales, suggesting that genetic isolation
between populations has taken place (02).
C. abramsiana is distinct from related California species as
follows. C. goveniana differs in having smaller female cones, 10 to
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
15 mm long, as opposed to 20 to 30 mm in C. abramsiana. C. goveniana
has dull black or glaucous seeds with an inconspicuous hilum, while
C. abramsiana has dull brown seeds with a conspicuous hilum. The
bright green foliage distinguishes this species from the more
widespread C. macnabiana and C. sargentii; the slender branchlets
separate it from the thicker branchlets of C. macrocarpa; the compact
form of the tree distinguishes it from the very narrow, whiplike
appearance of C. pygmaea (01,03).
The Santa Cruz cypress was originally named Cupressus abramsiana
by C.B. Wolf in 1948 (04). Prior to description as a separate
species, earlier collections had been treated as C. sargentii (02).
There is only one other synonymy, C. goveniana var. abramsiana,
published by Little in 1970 (05) in which C. pygmaea, C. abramsiana
and C. goveniana, all narrow endemics on marine terrace soils along
the Northern California coast, were grouped into one species (01,03).
In terms of its evolutionary relationships and morphology,
C. abramsiana is considered intermediate between C. sargentii and
C. goveniana (04,06).
This cypress is significant as an example of a relict species, an
ancient taxon believed to have been more widespread during drier
paleo-climates and now restricted to remanant pockets of suitable
climatic and soil conditions.
In the information reviewed for this workbook, the only common
name published for this species is Santa Cruz cypress.
The type specimen was collected by C.B. Wolf in 1934 from the
Bonny Doon population ("Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz County, on
the southwest slope of Ben Lomond, a mountain 0.7 mi east of the
Bonny Doon School"); it is reposited at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic
Garden harbarium (03,04). No information on the distribution of
isotypes was mentioned, except that Wolf reports them as
"widely distributed"; the only additional repositories specifically
metioned were the Dudley Herbarium and the Pomona College herbarium
(04). This tree was first collected in 1881 by M. E Jones (02).
No drawings of C. abramsiana were found among the materials
reviewed for this workbook. Photographs were included in Wolf (04),
and colored slides are available through the California Native Plant
Society in Sacramento.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Ornamental
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Santa Cruz cypress (Cuperssus abramsiana) has been designated
an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(50 CFR 17.12; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as
amended. The species has this status wherever found including the
State of California.
Removal and reduction to possession of any Federally listed plant
from an area under Federal jurisdiction is unlawful (50 CFR 17.61 and
17.71).
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79,
as amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful
to possess any wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other
parts) within U.S. territorial or special maritime jurisdiction
(as defined in 18 U.S.C. 7); or to import, export, transport, sell,
receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any
wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts) taken, possessed,
transported, or sold in violation of any State law or regulation. It
is also unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire,
or purchase any wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts)
taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law, treaty, or regulation
or in violation of Indian tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: California
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Calif. Department of Fish and Game
STATE STATUTE: Calif. Endangered Species Act; Fish and Game Code
Chapter 1.5, Article 1, Sect. 2050
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The Santa Cruz cypress has potential value for horticulture, and
its timber value is negligible.
85/09/12:50 FR 37249/37251 - Proposed Rule
85/10/31:50 FR 45443/45444 - Extension of Comment Period
87/01/08:50 FR 00675/00679 - Final Rule, Listed as Endangered
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY TYPES
SAF TYPE STAGE CLOSURE
Douglas-fir-western hemlock young tree
Douglas-fir-western hemlock mature tree
Douglas-fir-western hemlock Old Growth
Interior Ponderosa Pine young tree
Interior Ponderosa Pine mature tree
Interior Ponderosa Pine Old Growth
Redwood young tree
Redwood mature tree
Redwood Old Growth
young tree
mature tree
Old Growth
LAND USE -
Mixed Rangeland
Evergreen Forest Land
Mixed Forest Land
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The Santa Cruz cypress is found on marine terrace sandstones,
in nutrient-poor, sandy soils. The Santa Cruz cypress may be the
exclusive, dominant tree in small groves, or it may be codominant with
knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata), another closed-cone conifer. On
adjacent, more productive soils, the Santa Cruz cypress is surrounded
by redwood forest (Sequoia sempervirens), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga
menziesii), mixed evergreen forest or mixed chaparral. The Santa Cruz
cypress grows with a number of other plant taxa and forms also
restricted to the unusual inland marine sandstone terraces.
The genus Cupressus, reportedly a relict of the Madrean woodland
(15 in 06), has been the subject of much research and speculation
regarding its origins. Cypress taxa typically occur on low-moisture,
low-nutrient substrates (such as serpentine, gabbro, limestone and
sandstone). Presumably the generally drying climate in California
since the Pliocene (2 to 5 million years bp) has, among other things,
increased the frequency of fires and reduced the suitability of
certain substrates. This change in environment has led to "islands"
of cypress frequently occurring on low-productivity substrates that
have been spared from an inter-fire period too brief for adequate seed
production (06).
Soil requirements: The Santa Cruz cypress is apparently restricted to
Eocene or Miocene sandstone marine terrace deposits and decomposed
Miocene granites (13). The cypress was thought to be restricted to
old marine sandstone substrates, but recently the northern portion of
Majors Creek stand was found to be on decomposed granite (06).
Nevertheless, all groves occupy well-drained sandy or gravelly
substrates, more xeric than adjacent land supporting redwoods or
Douglas-fir (06). The underlying formation is Santa Margarita
sandstone; the soil types with which it is most closely associated
are the Zayante series and the Sur-Catelli complex (16 and 17).
The soils are uniformly sandy, deep to shallow, with a shallow litter
layer, no B horizon, and slightly acid (16). Trees growing on shallow
Habitat Associations - 1 soils are extremely stunted and assume a form reminiscent of
C. pygmaea.
Climate: All stands of the Santa Cruz cypress are found on the higher
coastside slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. A Mediterranean climate
prevails, with a wet cool winter averaging from 100 cm (40 inches) of
rainfall per year followed by long dry summers. The groves are little
influenced by summer maritime fogs (03). Summer high temperature
range from 25 to 35 degrees C (80 to 95 degrees F) while winter lows
dip from 5 degrees C (40 degrees F) to freezing or occasionally lower
(04,18,19 in 06).
Topographic features: All groves are on or near ridges (20) at
moderate elevations in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Santa Cruz
cypress is found on a variety of slopes and exposures. In the Bonny
Doon grove, the trees are on level to steeply-sloping grades at all
exposures (28). However, the most favorable sites appeared to be
gently-sloping south-facing exposures. Bartel and Knudsen (06) report
typical slopes as 5 to 30 percent, although Bonny Doon and Eagle Rock
have spectacular steep sandstone cliffs which are sparsely populated
with the cypress.
Plant community and associated species: The Santa Cruz cypress tends
to grow in open to dense stands of even-aged individuals (02), or in
mixed stands with the fire-dependent knobcone pine (07). Holland (21)
did not identify Santa Cruz cypress as a distinct natural community;
instead, it is included as past of the Coastal closed-cone coniferous
forest. Adjacent communities include Maritime Coast Range ponderosa
pine forest, Redwood forest, Douglas-fir forest, and Mixed chaparral
(09,17,21).
Associated plant species include the following: the rare and
endangered Arctostaphylos silvicola (22), Pinus attenuata, Pinus
ponderosa, Adenostoma fasciculatum, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Zigadenus
fremontii, Erysimum teretifolium, Arctostaphylos crustacea,
Arctostaphylos nummularia var. sensitiva, Dendromecon rigida,
Lupinus arboreus, Rhamnus californicus, Pickeringia montana,
Vaccinium ovatum, Haplopappus ericoides ssp. blakei, Eriodictyon
californicum, Ceanothus cuneatus, Quercus chrysolepis, Q. wislizenii
var. frutescens, Lepechinia calycina, Arctostaphylos tomentosa,
and Heteromeles arbutifolia (02,04,09,17,23).
Fire: Santa Cruz cypress, like other members of the genus, is a
fire-adapted species which depends on periodic and rather intense
fires to rejuvenate the stand and renew the life cycle of the tree.
The Santa Cruz cypress is a closed-cone species; it retains the closed
cones on the stem for many years, opening the cones principally when
the limb itself dies. The heat generated by fire will open the cones,
and the seeds germinate after subsequent rains. Such a cycle tends to
produce even-aged stands, which themselves are usually destroyed in
subsequent fires and replaced by a new cohort.
Fire frequency is a critical factor: Frequent fires may kill trees
before adequate seed is produced. Frequencies of 20 years or less are
thought to be detrimental (12 in 06). Too-infrequent fires (such as
every 200 years) (13) can cause senescence of the stand, and with it a
loss of reproductive vigor or replacement by more competitive species.
Keeley (12 in 06) estimates the optimum fire frequency for cypress in
general at 50-100 years, although others have suggested the optimum
period for this species may be 35 to 40 years (09).
Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The Santa Cruz cypress (Cupressus abramsiana) is a tree (01).
LIFE CYCLE:
Cupressus abramsiana is a perennial tree. It grows vigorously
under favorable conditions for several decades; an 18 year old tree
was estimated at 20 ft in height (Hummell), although many trees may
grow much more slowly due to competition or poor soil conditions. The
champion tree, cut down by vandals in 1983 was estimated to be 98
years old when killed (07). In a natural setting, fire would be the
main cause of death for most trees. No data were available on the age
when seed production begins.
There have been no recent observations of stand rejuvenation in
the Santa Cruz cypress. This is to be expected in a relatively
recently-described species with few stands and a long interval
expected between fires. The Bonny Doon stand was estimated to have
been burned completely in the late 1930s (04). One might expect heavy
germination and intense competition during the first years. The Bonny
Doon trees, as with the Bracken Brae grove, appear to be at their peak
of reproduction. Old trees in the Bracken Brae grove were all found
to have heart rot (20), but these were probably trees which survived
the last catastrophic fire.
Although Santa Cruz cypress is described as fire-dependent,
seedlings have been observed in unburned bare mineral soil at
densities of up to 1 plant per square meter (09,20).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Cupressus abramsiana is a closed-cone cypress (exhibits sexual
reproduction) (01,02). It is an obligate seeder. A small proportion
of cones have been observed to be non-serotinous, and germination has
been observed on a very small scale without fire, but fire ordinarily
is closely associated with release of seed and widespread germination
and establishment.
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Germination occurs only after a fire, and in association with
rain. Leafing dates are unknown from the field, budding and anthesis
occurs durring winter. The fruit requires 15 months to 2 years to
mature, and in response to fire the cones split and the seeds fall
to the ground to await germination (02,03,04,20).
Kuhlmann (20) found the age of viable seeds ranged from 2 to
32 years. The half-life of cones on trees is 8 to 10 years.
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
The Santa Cruz cypress is Monoecious (01,20).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Pollination agents for this species is the wind, and seed
dissemination is gravity (01,02,03,04,20).
SEED BIOLOGY:
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
Santa Cruz cypress typically produce about 60 seeds per cone
(01). Kuhlmann (20) found a cyclic pattern in seed production, with a
period of about four years. Seed production is positively correlated
with cone production and seed viability. Seed viability declines with
age, but ranges from 2 to 32 years, with good viability (20 percent or
more) beginning at 3 years and dropping off sharply after 20 years.
McMillan found germination rates of over 90 percent among viable seed
(cited in 20). There apparently is a two year dormancy period
required for good seed viability. Germination tests have been
conducted in the greenhouse using the cold stratification (7-8 degrees
C for 23 days, 10 hours of light and 14 hours of darkness and a
relative humidity of 80 percent), which obtained a germination rate of
30 percent (20).
Seed predation apparently is not a problem in unopened cones. In
his investigation of over 1000 Santa Cruz cypress cones, Kuhlmann
found no evidence of insect damage of mammal herbivory in any unopened
cones (20). Presumably, once the cones are open, seed predation is a
significant factor.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Few data are available on survival and mortality of Santa Cruz
cypress in the field. As indicated earlier, Santa Cruz cypress is a
fire-dependent species, and tends to grow in even-aged stands between
catastrophic fire events. The average time interval between fires is
not known, but is expected to be 35 years or more (06,09,12).
Presumably, seed germination and establishment is high following a
fire, and the subsequent years are ones of intense competition for
light, water and nutrients in the even-aged stand. Old trees suffer
from heart rot, and trees can experience cypress canker (06,20);
however, under natural conditions the most probable cause of mortality
would be fire.
In recent geologic times, the Santa Cruz cypress appears to have
always been rare and quite restricted. Although a certain proportion
of habitat has been converted to human uses, there is no evidence that
entire large groves have been eliminated. Therefore, recovery appears
to consist principally of sustaining the existing stands in the face
of habitat encroachment and the increasing difficulty of rejuvenating
the stands with fire.
Jason Greenlee, a Santa Cruz County fire ecologist now working
for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, believes that
prescribed burning can be used to maintain stand vigor, even in areas
where residences are nearby (25). However, a prescribed burn program
would require more than the usual degree of careful preparation from
the standpoint of public education and coordination with local fire
departments. In addition, prescribed burning should be carried out on
an experimental basis with followup monitoring to determine the
intensity of fire required to assure that cones are opened at a
suitable time and the seedbed is adequately prepared.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Zayante sands, the principal soil series supporting the Sana Cruz
cypress, belong to the order inceptisols. The family of soils is
the entic xerumbrepts, meaning it is a sandy mixed mesic soil
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
with low base saturation formed under a mesic temperature
regime. The Sur-Catelli complex soils, which also support the
cypress, are a entic haploxerols with base saturation above 50
percent. Both have dark surfaces and fairly fine sandy texture
(26). All are nutrient-poor and well-drained.
The Santa Cruz cypress grows both in deep soils in which the
trees grow to considerable height, and in quite shallow soils in
which the trees are stunted to a pygmy forest-like appearance (07).
The entire range of this species is on middle and upper
elevations (1000-2500 ft) on the coastal side of the Santa Cruz
Mountains. The groves are found on ridges, in relatively dry
and well-exposed sites.
The climate, although Mediterranean, is considerably less foggy,
drier and warmer than the lower-elevation redwood belt. The
average annual percipitation is about 40 inches; summers are warm
and winters cool but mild (18 in 06). The soil characteristics
work together with the dry (for the coast) climate to produce a
locally more xeric environment than is found for a great distance.
TROPHIC STATUS:
The Santa Cruz cypress is phototrophic (28).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
The Santa Cruz cypress is a dominant/codominant species (09,04).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
The Santa Cruz cypress, when growing in a pure stand, would be
considered a subtype of the Coastal closed-cone cypress forest (21).
It often grows in a mixed stand with knobcone pine. Several other
natural communities are found nearby; the Maritime Coast Range
ponderosa pine forest shares many shrub and herb species with the
cypress forest and they both are restricted to the Santa Margarita
sandstone formations. Other adjacent natural communities which form a
more abrupt ecotone include redwood forest, Douglas-fir forest, mixed
evergreen forest, and mixed chaparral (02,06,09,27).
Plant species found within the Santa Cruz cypress groves include:
the rare and endangered Arctostaphylos silvicola, Pinus attenuata,
Pinus ponderosa, Adenostoma fasciculatum, Pseudotsuga menziesii,
Zigadenus fremontii, Erysimum teretifolium, Arctostaphylos crustacea,
Arctostaphylos nummularia var.sensitiva, Dendromecon rigida,
Lupinus arboreus, Rhamnus californicus, Pickeringia montana,
Vaccinium ovatum, Haplopappus ericoides ssp. blakei, and Eriodictyon
californicum, Ceanothus cuneatus, Quercus chrysolepis, Q. wislizenii
var. frutescens, Lepechinia calycina, Arctostaphylos tomentosa, and
Heteromeles arbutifolia (02,04,09,17,23).
The Santa Cruz cypress is a fire-dependent species; as a result,
stands tend to be somewhat even-aged, and usually grow, mature
and senesce together. A periodic catastrophic fire tends to kill
the mature trees, and create suitable habitat for seedling
establishment. The particular optimum fire cycle is not known
for the Santa Cruz cypress, but the estimated optimum for closely
related California cypresses is 50-100 years(12 in 06). This is
consistent with the observation that the Bonny Doon grove, which
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
was burned in the 1930s and therefore is about 50 years old now,
appears vigorous.
The Santa Cruz cypress grows under rather harsh edaphic
conditions; as a result, competition from other plant species appears
critical only if fire frequency is disrupted. The cypress grows
together with the knobcone pine; this more widespread species might
replace the cypress if the time interval between fires became too
great; too-frequent fires might favor understory chaparral species.
At present, competition does not appear to be the principal management
concern.
The fact that fires are necessary and must take place under
fairly specific circumstances means that this species will require
careful management in the future, especially as human development
encroaches on existing groves.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
No host-parasite relationships have been reported for the Santa
Cruz cypress. The only disease reported for the species is the
cypress canker, to which this species is susceptible to (06).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 4 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Suppressing wildfire
Beneficial Prescribed/controlled burning of habitat
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Regulating commercial harvest levels
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Gas/Oil Development
Existing Gas/Oil Development
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Suppressing wildfire
Existing Suppressing wildfire
Adverse Fire
Existing Fire
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Habitat loss due to urbanization: The Santa Cruz cypress is
located in an area which has increasingly become an outlying
residential and commercial community for San Jose. Development
pressure in this dedirable area has increased noticeably. About
one-third of the Bracken Brae grove (18 out of 50 acrea) was
eliminated by housing development (08); housing currently encroaching
into the Bonny Doon grove has and is continuing to remove a portion of
available habitat (07,28). The Eagle Rock grove is also threatened by
residential development (08).
Besides the impact of direct loss of habitat, housing in the near
vicinity of Santa Cruz cypress groves poses an indirect but
significant threat because of the species' requirement for fire.
Habitat loss due to agriculture: The largest stand at Bonny Doon has
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
been under consideration for conversion to a vineyard (08). Up to
52 percent of the existing habitat for C. abramsiana would be
converted under the most recent proposals. The developer, Jim
Beauregard, has been remarkably persistent, yet unsuccessful so far,
with his project proposal. The nutrient-poor soils occupied by
C. abramsiana would be unsuitable for agricultural conversions to most
other types of crops.
Logging: Although the Santa Cruz cypress is not itself an important
timber species, the stand at Majors Creek is surrounded by
merchantable timber and was included in a proposed timber sale in
1980 (09). The stand was threatened by access road construction in
the cypress grove, as well as related erosion and incidental cutting
(09). The Eagle Rock grove and the privately-held portion of the
Butano Ridge are also potentially subject to logging (08). At the
time of this writing, the timber sale at Majors Creek is inactive
(07).
Inadequate regulatory mechanisms: Cupressus abramsiana is listed by
the California Department of Fish and Game as endangered under the
California Native Plant Protection Act and the California Endangered
Species Act. These laws require a land owner to give notice to
CDFG 10 days before change in land use, but agricultural land use is
exempted. The California Environmental Quality Act requires
consideration of listed species for developments such as residential
and logging but not for agricultural conversions. The Coastal
Protection Act limits developments within the coastal zone, which
includes some or all the localities for this species; however, this
protection is subject to ruling by the local Coastal commissioners and
thus is subject to change. Listing by USFWS has afforded significant
additional protection for projects under state or federal
jurisdiction. Regulatory control still remains inadequate for acts of
vandalism, which presents a continuing problem (see below); fines or
other deterrents may not presently be adequate to prevent harm to the
Santa Cruz cypress.
Vandalism: The Santa Cruz cypress lies in a region which is becoming
increasingly populated, land values are rising, and the pressure to
develop land for greater economic return becomes greater each year.
As a result, vandalism presents an increasing risk to this species.
Whether prompted by frustrated land owners or developers wishing to
eliminate a roadblock to development plans, or simply by irresponsible
behavior, vandalism to this species has occurred. In 1983, the
"champion" Santa Cruz cypress (the largest recorded individual of the
species) was cut down at Bonny Doon (10). This type of threat is
difficult to control completely, especially when groves are readily
accessible, their location widely known and the landowner is not
disposed toward protection.
Fire: Fire has an important role in the life cycle of the Santa Cruz
cypress (11). This species is an obligate seeder, meaning the trees
cannot resprout from their trunks and thus are completely dependent on
seed for regeneration (08). The Santa Cruz cypress is a closed-cone
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
species, adapted to periodic fire by maintaining its viable seed
reserves within closed cones until the heat from fire opens the cones.
The seeds grow well on the bare mineral soil present after a fire.
Fire frequency is a critical factor: Too frequent fire (average less
than 20 years' interval) does not allow enough time for growth and
maturation of trees and production of adequate seed for regeneration;
this has been observed in related species (12 in 06). Too infrequent
fire (200 years or more) will lead to senescence of the grove and
reduced reproductive potential (13). Keeley (12 in 06) estimated the
optimal fire frequency for this and closely-related species of cypress
is 50 to 100 years.
In addition to managing fire frequency with the objective of
maintaining healthy stands, suitable prescriptions must meet fire
agencies' requirements for wind, humidity, temperature, fuel moisture,
and smoke management in inhabited areas. Suitable prescriptions to
meet management objectives have not yet been defined or tested.
Oil and gas development: A federally-owned subsurface mineral rights
in the Butano Ridge area are presently under lease to Champlin
Petroleum Company, Englewood, Colorado. This lease includes the
Butano Ridge grove (14). The lease was issued by the Bureau of Land
Management in 1982 and will extend to 1992. The lessee may be
required to modify future drilling plans to avoid adversely impacting
the cypress (08).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
Additional protection of known localities is needed, either
through voluntary cooperation with land owners, or acquisition of
sites by a suitable entity. Such entities might include; Save the
Redwoods, Sempervirens Fund, The Nature Conservancy, the California
Native Plant Society, the California Department of Fish and Game, the
University of California Natural Reserve System, San Mateo or Santa
Cruz County Parks Department, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Santa Cruz cypress groves need additional protection from
vandalism. This could be accomplished by placing signs and fencing at
perimeter and access points.
Surveys are recommended to ascertain the possible presence of
additional small groves. Knowledge of such groves could aid in
long-term management planning. Visual aerial reconnaissance is
recommended.
Reserach and experimentation on fire management in cypress stand
is urgently needed, before residential encroachment extends any
further into the known stands.
Management actions towards recovery of this species are on hold
untill a recovery plan is developed. No other agency or entity
appears likely to takethe lead at this time.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Munz, Philip. 1973. A California flora and supplement. Univ. of
California Press, Berkeley. 1905 pp.
02 McMillan, Calvin. 1952. The third locality for Cupressus
abramsiana. Madrono 11(4):153-188.
03 Young, Paul. 1977. Rare plant status report, Cupressus
abramsiana. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. 3 pp.
04 Wolf, Carl B. and Willis W. Wagener. 1948. The New World
cypresses. El Aliso 1:215-222.
05 Little, E.L. 1970. Names of New World cypresses (Cupressus).
Phytologia 20:420-447.
06 Bartel, J.A. and M.D. Knudsen. 1982. Status review of the Santa
Cruz cypress. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Sacramento, CA 7 pp.
07 Davilla, Bill. 1987. Pers. comm. Biologist, BioSystems Analysis,
Inc.
08 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servive. 1985. Propose rule: Cupressus
abramsiana (Santa Cruz cypress). Fed. Reg. 50(177):37249-37251.
09 Davilla, Bill. 1980. A biotic assessment of the Bonny Doon
Ranch. BioSystems Analysis, Inc., Santa Cruz. 53 pp.
10 Anon. 1983. Champion cypress cut down. San Francisco Chronicle,
April 30, 1983.
11 Anon. 1985. Endangered species technical bulletin: Three plants
listed: Cupressus abramsiana. 10(10):5.
12 Keeley, J. 1981. Reproductive cycles and fire regimes. In
H.A. Mooney, T.M. Bonicksen, N.L. Christensin, J. E. Lotan and W.A.
Reimers (tech coordinators). Proc. Conf. on fire regimes and
ecosystems properties. pp. 231-277. USDA Forest Serv., Wash., DC.
Cited in Bartel and Knudsen 1983).
13 U.S. Fish and Wildife Service. 1987. Final rule: Cupressus
abramsiana (Santa Cruz cypress). Fed. Reg. 52(5):875-879.
14 Hastey, Ed. 1983. Letter dated January 10, 1983, from Ed Hastey,
BLM state director, to Gail Kobetich, USFWS Sacramento, CA.
15 Axelrod, Daniel I. 1967. Geologic history of the California
insular flora. In Philbrick Ralph. Proc. Symp. Bio. of Calif.
islands. pp. 267-316. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara,
CA.
16 Ansted, Helen, Jeff Benzler, Judy Ford, Dana Kinkaid, Norene
Sibley. No date. A short-term study of soil characteristics of
Bonny Doon in the Santa Cruz Mountains. San Jose State Univ.
files. 16 pp.
17 BioSystems Analysis, Inc. 1982. Rare and endangered plant
focused assessment on proposed Majors Creek unit timber harvest.
BioSystems Analysis, Santa Cruz, CA. 17 pp.
18 Rantz, S.E. 1971. Precipitation depth-duration-frequency
relations for the San Francisco Bay Region, California. U.S.
Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 750-C:237-C241.
19 Griffin and Critchfield. 1972. The distribution of forest trees
in California. USDA Forst Service Research Paper PSW-82. 118 pp.
20 Kuhlmann, Howard. 1986. Reproductive biology of the Santa Cruz
cypress. MS thesis, San Jose State Univ., San Jose, CA. 36 pp.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
21 Holland, Robert F. 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the
terrestrial natural commiunities of California. Calif. Dept. of
Fish and Game. 156 pp.
22 Smith J.P., Jr., and R.P. York. 1984. Inventory of rare and
endangered vascular plants of California (third edition).
Calif. Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 174 pp.
23 Miller, Steve, Shirley Womack, and Jane Nikkel. No date.
Vegetation analysis. USFWS files, Sacramento End. Spec. Off.,
Sacramento, CA.
24 Hummell, Marilyn. 1986. Letter August 1, 1986 from Marilyn
Hummell to Brian Hunter, Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game, Yountville,
CA.
25 Greenlee, Jason. 1986. Pers. comm. Fire ecologist, Santa Cruz,
CA.
26 Rogers, John. 1987. Pers comm. Soil scientist, USDA Soil
Cons. Service, Davis, CA.
27 California Native Plant Society. (Various dates). California
native plant field survey forms. On file at: Calif. Dept. of Fish
and Game Nat. Diversity Data Base, Sacramento, CA.
28 Leitner, Barbara. 1987. Pers. know. Oakland, CA. 94618.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Kuhlmann, Howard. 1986. Reproductive biology of Santa Cruz
cypress. Master's thesis, San Jose State Univ., San Jose, CA.
36 pp.
02 Bartel, J. and M. Knudsen. 1982. Status review, Santa Cruz
cypress. On file at: U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Sacramento, CA.
7 pp.
03 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1985. Proposed rule: Cupressus
abramsiana (Santa Cruz cypress). Fed. Reg. 50(177):37249-37251.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. Final rule: Cupressus
abramsiana (Santa Cruz cypress). Fed. Reg. 52(5):875-879.
05 Young, Paul. 1977. Rare plant status report, Cupressus
abramsiana. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 3 pp.
06 Wolf, C.B. and W.W.Wagener. 1948. The New World cypresses. I.
Taxonomic and distributional studies of the New World cypresses.
Aliso,1:1-250.
07 Cox, Robin. 1984. Element preservation plan, Cupressus
abramsiana. The Nature Conservancy, San Francisco, CA. 3 pp.
08 Davilla, Bill. 1987. Pers. comm. Biologist, BioSystems
Analysis, Inc.
09 California Natural Diversity Data Base. (various dates).
California Native Plant Society plant survey forms. On file at:
Calif. Natural Diversity Data Base, Sacramento.
10 BioSystems Analysis, Inc. 1982. Rare and endangered plant
focused assessment on proposed Majors Creek unit timber harvest.
BioSystems Analysis, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA. 17 pp.
11 Davilla, Bill. 1980. A biotic assessment of the Bonny Doon
Ranch. BioSystems Analyusis, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA. 53 pp.
12 Anonymous. No date. Descriptions of localities of Cupressus
abramsiana. On file at: USFWS, Sacramento, CA. 15 pp.
References - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species CYPRESS, SANTA CRUZ
Species Id ESIS801001
Date 13 MAR 96
13 McMillan, Calvin. 1951. A third locality for Cupressus
abramsiana Wolf. Madrono 11:189-194.
References - 3