North Coast Forest: Upper Canopy

Flora

Typically, the species of the upper canopy of this northern forest would include cedar, spruce and hemlock. However, due to the drier and warmer climate of the Point Reyes Peninsula, these species are absent in the Douglas fir community of Inverness Ridge (Evens 1993; Johnston 1994; Kricher 1993). The Peninsula's P. Menziesii, shares its upper canopy with California bay (Umbellularia californica), tanbark oak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) and an occasional big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) (Evens 1993; Kozloff and Beidleman 1994; Shuford & Timossi 1989).

Fauna

Many of the same bird and mammal species that are found in the upper and middle canopy of the bishop pine forest are also present here. Some of the more common inhabitants include a variety of insects and birds such as the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis), Swainson's thrush (Catharus ustulatus), Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), red breasted nut hatch (Sitta canadensis), brown creeper (Certhia americana), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) and black swift (Cypseloides niger). The endangered spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) is the key indicator species of old growth bishop pine (Pinus muricata), redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests. In recent years, the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) has been at the center of the controversy between protecting and preserving its habitat and old growth forest, or supporting the regional economic development of the Pacific northwest's logging industry (Evens 1993; Johnston 1994; Kricher 1993).