Plants
Plants
Although relatively small in size and surrounded by agricultural and urban development on three sides, Younger Lagoon Reserve is comprised of eight unique habitat types, including freshwater marsh, saltwater marsh, riparian willow, coastal strand (back dune), coastal scrub, coastal grassland, seasonal freshwater wetlands, and the brackish lagoon.
Younger Lagoon Reserve is comprised of two distinct parts: the original 25-acre reserve, and the 47-acre Terrace Lands. The Terrace Lands were farmed from ~1920-1990, and prior to the start of the reserve’s restoration efforts in 2009, non-native plants dominated much of the reserve. Now, native plants thrive at the reserve, with approximately 30,000 plants planted annualy as part of onging restoration efforts.
To get more involved with plants at UCSC, see the Plant Sciences Page.