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INVERNESS RIDGE (1,250 acres) - This linear FMU runs from the western edge of Tomales
Bay State Park south along Inverness Ridge to the Bayview Trail parking area. This ridge is
dominated by dense stands of Bishop pine (Pinus muricata) in the north, which grade into
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests further south. The understory vegetation is dense
beneath the Bishop pine, and consists of highly flammable species such as manzanita
(Arctostaphylos ssp.) and ceanothus (Ceanothus ssp.). The understory of the Douglas-fir forests
can be sparse, consisting primarily of grasses and herbs, or more dense, with salal and
huckleberry. This FMU supports four federal plant species of management concern,
including two federal Species of Concern - Marin manzanita (Arctostaphylos virgata) and Mount
Vision ceanothus (Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus). Northern Spotted Owls, federally listed
as a threatened species, nest within this FMU.
The Inverness Ridge FMU is immediately adjacent to numerous residences and several business
facilities (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, delicatessens, galleries, and shops) in the communities
of Inverness and Inverness Park. The proximity of dense, flammable vegetation to these
communities results in an area where the risk of loss associated with fire is very high. The
Vision Fire destroyed 44 homes in this area in 1995.
Photo: Northern Spotted Owl by National Park Service
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