Volume 10, Number 8

August 2011

The
We live in a rare forest of Monterey pines, one of the five remaining native strands on earth. The forest we have made our home in provides us with a moderated climate, enhanced property value, recreation, water storage, Monterey pine seedlings habitat, a link to native cultural traditions, and enhanced beauty. In fact, the Monterey pine is the most widely grown tree in the southern hemisphere and used for timber and paper pulp. Thanks to its quick and straight growth the Monterey pine is grown in plantations in nearly every continent. This fact makes the preservation of our forest and its genetic integrity ever more important. With all that the pines do for us, what do we do for the pines? As a member of this community, a basic knowledge of forest ecology is called for. When discussing the forest, one is not just referencing the trees but instead a vast biological community. This community ranges from the bacteria and mycorrhiza in the soil, to native understory plants, as well as animals. We should view the forest not as separate pieces, but as a whole system of soil and vegetation relations. From this perspective, lets take a look at the understory and its many roles in forest health. A Monterey pine begins its life with a tap root fed by condensation from fog that drips from each needle of the large pines that make the overstory. The seedling sends out many small feeder roots which extend through the surface layer of the organic matter. The feeder roots are absorbing nutrients from the soil and living in close relation with the soil microorganisms and fungal mycelium. The pine roots also contact the roots of understory plants and other trees like coastal live oak. The complex relations between soil organisms, fungi, and flora are beginning to be understood more clearly but the mysteries of these relationships are still being discovered. However, we know that microorganisms on the roots of plants play an integral role in nutrient exchange. It is also thought that the vast web of fungal mycelium works as an information network. The creation of healthy forest soil is dependent on continual decomposition of organic matter which becomes rich humus, the substrate for these interactions. One handful of the

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rich fragrant soil from our forest floor can contain millions of microorganisms. This rich humus takes time to develop. It requires input of ample and diverse biomass. Our forest is a fire adapted natural community. Historically our forest was subject to periodic fire disturbance by Native Americans. These fires controlled understory vegetation, helped control pests and disease, and nourished the soil. In fact the cones of the Monterey pine open when exposed to intense heat. Mature trees often survive ground fires. However, now that we have settled in the forest, this natural cleansing process of fire cannot occur. Given the absence or fire it is clear that we need to carefully manage our forest. Much of this management is currently left up to the fire department via a mandatory clearing ordinance. By clearing all understory from our forest we are greatly endangering the heath of this rare stand of pines. If the understory is in a state of constant disturbance, a properly bio-diverse plant community cannot form. With our current method we are idly watching our forest be choked out by the removal of its life support system. The constant disturbance of clearing all understory makes our forest susceptible to stress pests, disease, and invasive plant species. This does not have to be the reality. Here are some suggestions. Our community has a Cambria Forest Management Plan (CFMP) waiting to be enacted. It will require a shared financial responsibility from the community. The benefits of implementing the CFMP will be felt for generations. If our community wants to continue to live in a vital forest, responsible management is required. Learn about native understory plants and bring them into your yard and neighboring lots,. Plant native understory in clearly marked beds that will not be cleared. Of the 3,500 acres of Monterey pines in Cambria, 1,200 are intermingled with developed areas. The Cambria forest represents 17% of the remaining stands in California and is genetically distinct from all other stands. Check out the Cambria Forest Management Plan at www.greenspacecambria.org.

The Inside Story on Understory & Overstory

Monterey Pine cones- Pinus radiata