The abundance of non-native invasive plants in Santa Cruz County poses a real threat to native plants and wildlife. Of paramount importance is the assault on riparian corridors, where the unique plant communities consist of the vegetation growing near a river, stream, lake, lagoon or other natural body of water. Invasive species are marked by their ability to spread easily and rapidly; an example is English ivy, which grows over native trees, depriving them of light. The trees eventually die, resulting in a decline of critical nesting habitat for migrating birds, diminished shade that is vital for fish health, and a breakdown of stream-bank stabilization.
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| Ivy overgrowth along Soquel Creek impairs riparian habitat by out competing native plants and harming established trees. |
Historical accounts suggest a rapid drop in steelhead and coho populations has occurred since the 1960s. The Soquel Creek Watershed Assessment and Enhancement Plan explores numerous factors that have caused steelhead population reduction and coho extirpation (absence). Among these are the declines in the quality and quantity of in-stream habitat, localized increases in water temperature (in part due to historic losses of riparian vegetation), sediment entering the stream due to erosion, and low water flows. This program addresses these limiting factors by preserving the existing native riparian trees, removing the invasive plants from the riparian corridor, and revegetating with native plants which will provide erosion control on the stream banks, shade and food for the fish, and habitat for other wildlife.