California

Tag: California

A Thriving Nest for Elegant Terns

The stability of Elegant Terns, which visit Santa Cruz, CA annually, requires Rasa Island to remain invasive predator free. By: Emily Heber Sitting on the beach in Santa Cruz, California one can see a variety of seabirds that return to the beach town every summer. One such bird is the Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) with […]

Written by on September 25, 2017

What Happens when Rare Grasslands Face Environmental Change

A few rare California grasslands have a unique quality–the soil contains the mineral serpentinite. That unusual trait has a surprising advantage for such grasslands. Serpentine soil is low in calcium and other common plant nutrients, while rich in elements toxic to plants. Very few plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world, can grow in serpentine soil. […]

Written by on April 14, 2016