| 15. The Ravine | ||||||||||||
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Interpretive Stops
1. Along Aptos Creek Additional Information
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North-facing Ravine Slopes... Habitat for RedwoodsRedwoods grow on both sides of the ravine, but if you look closely, you'll notice that most of the coast redwoods growing in Marcel's Forest grow on the canyon slopes facing north. This is typical of the southern range of redwood forests (redwood forests south of San Francisco). More redwoods grow on north-facing canyon slopes where there is less direct sunlight, and therefore, more moisture.South-facing slopes, which receive more direct sunlight, are generally drier, producing ideal conditions where oak woodlands and Douglas-firs grow. Look up the hillside to your right. You'll see the thinner, smaller coast live oaks, and the underbrush that make up the mixed evergreen forest. Also, note that more Douglas-firs, which prefer sunnier locations, make their home on this south-facing slope. Landslide Evidence Here, TooA seasonal tributary stream to Aptos Creek runs through the ravine. Only slightly moist during the summer, the stream runs with small waterfalls and pools during the wet, winter months. Several times during the forest's history, the ravine stream has overflowed with debris and mud during landslides. Signs of this past event are the logs jammed together above the bridge and the mounds of dirt debris pushed up against tree trunks. On the redwood tree behind you, close to the bridge, and on the south slope, you can see moss-covered, dry mud embedded in its bark, just as we saw on the trees at Stop No. 12. Stump Lends Mystery to Logger's FateJust a few feet from the redwood, with mud embedded in its bark, is the stump of a redwood cut long ago. The stump is fairly flat across, except for wood extending from the edges of the stump. Can you tell that the logger ran into problems the day he cut this stump and risked losing his life? The extended wood along the stump edges indicates that this tree toppled before the logger completed his cut. Logging back then, as it is today, was a dangerous occupation. Loggers made a living, but didn't get rich, and, if they hand cut trees, often worked alone in the forest. Plants and Animals Find a Home Near the RavineThe ravine is home to several moisture-loving native plants seen elsewhere in the forest, such as redwood sorrel, trillium, tiger lily, sword ferns, and violets. The two most prominent invasive plants, English ivy and periwinkle, have also made the ravine their home. The large green clump of vines that you see up the ravine is the rootball of a fallen Douglas-fir covered with English ivy. Dark-eyed juncos and hairy woodpeckers have been spotted in the ravine near the bridge on several occasions. Another Nursery LogLooking up the ravine again, you may also notice that a large redwood log sits in the middle of the ravine, near the bridge. Growing out of the top of the log is a redwood tree, a sprout from the log. This log has become a nursery for the growing redwood, providing a needed nutritional resource. Ravine Bridge Built by "AdvocatesThe single plank of redwood underneath the bridge is what remains of a footbridge that Mr. Pourroy built to cross the stream. The Advocates of Nisene Marks State Park built the current ravine bridge in 1999.
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