Small Mammals of Muir Beach
San Francisco Bay Area Inventory & Monitoring Network. Small Mammals of Muir Beach. National Park Service
Muir Beach, a popular destination in GOGA, lies at the mouth of Redwood Creek. Historically the area was part of the Redwood Creek floodplain and included a large freshwater lagoon (Big Lagoon), seasonal freshwater wetlands, an intermittent tidal lagoon, a riparian corridor, and dunes. Development over the years including grazing, roads, and a parking lot has degraded the area and prevented proper flow of water, eliminating the freshwater lagoon completely. The National Park Service (NPS) has been planning a restoration project in the area to establish a more natural ecosystem. Muir Beach occurs close to the known range for the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) and the state species of special concern Point Reyes jumping mouse (Zapus trinotatus orarius). In preparation for restoration work, NPS requested that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conduct small mammal surveys at the location to determine the distribution and abundance of small mammals and to identify special status mammal species, if any.
- Type
- Resource Brief
- Authors
- San Francisco Bay Area Inventory & Monitoring Network
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GOGA , SFAN
- Keywords
- Point Reyes jumping mouse, Reithrodontomys raviventris, rodents, salt marsh harvest mouse, Zapus trinotatus orarius
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals