Boggs Lake Ecological Reserve
Encyclopedia
The Boggs Lake Ecological Reserve is a nature reserve
in Lake County, California
. The land area is about one quarter of a square mile and contains a large vernal pool
as well as endangered plants such as the Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop
.
Boggs Lake is managed by The Nature Conservancy
and the California Department of Fish and Game
.
It is eight miles (13 km) south of Clear Lake and has a small parking area and hiking trail loop. The protective fence and interpretative display boards were installed by the Nature Comservancy.
The lake lies in a volcanic depression lined with a very fine covering of volcanic ash a few feet deep which has compacted to become impervious to water. The lake surface covers about 90 acres (364,217.4 m²) when it is full.
Originally a plant preserve of 101 acre (0.40873286 km²) that resulted from the California Native Plant Society
's (CNPS) efforts to save the land from development in 1973, is today a protected area
of sensitive habitat for several endangered plants and animals.
operations in the forest as well as geothermal
and recreational activities that posed a threat to the fragile ecosystem.
Fibreboard agreed to the offer, donated the land in 1973 and CNPS contacted The Nature Conservancy to assist with stewardship and legal matters. Named the Boggs Lake Preserve, it was a little more than 100 acre (0.404686 km²) in size, included most of the lake and was immediately added to the portfolio of preserves managed by The Nature Conservancy.
The Boggs Lake Preserve Committee was created soon afterwards and spent the next 10 years mapping and monitoring rare plants of the preserve. The result of these scientific observations over a decade showed that the boundaries of the preserve were inadequate and did not protect some unique plant species growing outside the preserve. Off-road vehicle
activity was increasing, both inside the preserve and in the surrounding area. Also, a housing development proposed near one side of the lake could cause algae
growth from septic tank
runoff infiltration
. Logging and geothermal resource extraction were still possible impacts to the area.
In 1984 a new design for the preserve was drafted by the staff of The Nature Conservancy to address these issues. Based on the previous efforts of studying and managing the site, the expanded area added two major and six small parcels of the lake edge and a large meadow west of the lake to the original boundaries.
These additions were obtained with donations from individuals, and the Dean Witter
Foundation and the Goodhill Foundation. Another benefit from this purchase was connecting the preserve to the county road to providepublic access
to the area.
The history of the Boggs Lake Ecological Reserve became a model for understanding what needs to be accomplished when the goal is to preserve lands having biological significance and diversity
. In its early days, the Conservancy chose sites for protection based on opportunity rather than scientific analysis of the environment. Today, the information gathered and analysed is the driving force for selection of areas for preservation by the Conservancy.
The forest includes softwoods such as Ponderosa pine
and Douglas-fir and hardwoods: black, canyon and live oak trees, as well as madrone trees.
Other plants at Boggs Lake include poison oak
, manzanita
, wild pea, bracken fern, coyote thistle, wild mustard and California or ground rose.
Wildlife include deer, coyote, jackrabbit, chipmunk, grey squirrel, raccoon, skunk, bobcat, and fox.
Birds use the vernal pool as a rest stop on migration flights as well as year around habitat. During a five-year period from 1982 to 1987, 139 species of birds were observed at Boggs Lake including both Bald and Golden eagles.
Other birds seen are Pygmy Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Hermit Warbler, Purple Martin, Red-winged Blackbirds,Ruddy Ducks, Marsh Wrens, Mallards, and California Quail.
The few-flowered Navarretia
is a member of the Phlox
family and was first collected northwest of the town of Lower Lake
in 1945. It is an annual herb with lobed leaves, grows to a height of almost two inches and has tubular white or purple flower clusters. It germinates under water like many vernal pool species. May and June are when the plants bloom after the pool has dried.
The Western Pond Turtle
(Clemmys marmorata also Actinemys marmorata) is one of several reptiles at Boggs Lake and is listed as a species of special concern
by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). Boggs Lake provides habitat for the Western Pond Turtle. The preserve has water for feeding and body temperature regulation, as well as a nearby upland environment, which allows laying of eggs in areas not subject to submersion and basking areas (again, for regulation of body temperature).
In June 2008, Sonoma State University
(SSU) began a study project at Boggs Lake with funds from SSU and the Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Commission. The project goals are to prevent extinction
and solve the temperature-sex mystery. Turtle eggs from Boggs Lake are being hatched at different temperatures to find out what temperature determines male or female. The turtles will eventually be released back to Boggs Lake.
The Western Pond Turtle has been impacted by destruction of habitat, where once they were common from Washington state to Baja California
, now only can be found in isolated areas in Southern California and the Central Valley.
"Western Pond Turtles are a snapshot of what is happening to turtles in general. Turtles are in decline on a global basis." said Nick Geist, associate professor of Biology at SSU.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
in Lake County, California
Lake County, California
Lake County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of California, north of the San Francisco Bay Area. It takes its name from Clear Lake, the dominant geographic feature in the county and the largest natural lake wholly within California...
. The land area is about one quarter of a square mile and contains a large vernal pool
Vernal pool
Vernal pools, also called vernal ponds or ephemeral pools, are temporary pools of water. They are usually devoid of fish, and thus allow the safe development of natal amphibian and insect species...
as well as endangered plants such as the Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop
Gratiola heterosepala
Gratiola heterosepala is a species of flowering plant known by the common name Boggs Lake hedgehyssop. It is native to northern California, where it grows in mud and very shallow water, such as the edges of vernal pools. One occurrence of the plant has been noted in Oregon. This is a petite annual...
.
Boggs Lake is managed by The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive....
and the California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...
.
It is eight miles (13 km) south of Clear Lake and has a small parking area and hiking trail loop. The protective fence and interpretative display boards were installed by the Nature Comservancy.
The lake lies in a volcanic depression lined with a very fine covering of volcanic ash a few feet deep which has compacted to become impervious to water. The lake surface covers about 90 acres (364,217.4 m²) when it is full.
Originally a plant preserve of 101 acre (0.40873286 km²) that resulted from the California Native Plant Society
California Native Plant Society
The California Native Plant Society is a California not-for-profit organization that seeks to increase understanding of California's native flora and to preserve that flora. Its "paramount purpose is to preserve wild plants".-History:...
's (CNPS) efforts to save the land from development in 1973, is today a protected area
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
of sensitive habitat for several endangered plants and animals.
History of Boggs Lake
The area was formerly owned by the Fibreboard Corporation until the early 1970s when a group of California Native Plant Society (CNPS) members, botanists from the University of California and local residents asked the company to consider setting aside the vernal pool and an adjacent forest. Although an undisturbed area, there were loggingLogging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
operations in the forest as well as geothermal
Geothermal
Geothermal is related to energy and may refer to:* The geothermal gradient and associated heat flows from within the Earth- Renewable technology :...
and recreational activities that posed a threat to the fragile ecosystem.
Fibreboard agreed to the offer, donated the land in 1973 and CNPS contacted The Nature Conservancy to assist with stewardship and legal matters. Named the Boggs Lake Preserve, it was a little more than 100 acre (0.404686 km²) in size, included most of the lake and was immediately added to the portfolio of preserves managed by The Nature Conservancy.
The Boggs Lake Preserve Committee was created soon afterwards and spent the next 10 years mapping and monitoring rare plants of the preserve. The result of these scientific observations over a decade showed that the boundaries of the preserve were inadequate and did not protect some unique plant species growing outside the preserve. Off-road vehicle
Off-road vehicle
An off-road vehicle is considered to be any type of vehicle which is capable of driving on and off paved or gravel surface. It is generally characterized by having large tires with deep, open treads, a flexible suspension, or even caterpillar tracks...
activity was increasing, both inside the preserve and in the surrounding area. Also, a housing development proposed near one side of the lake could cause algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
growth from septic tank
Septic tank
A septic tank is a key component of the septic system, a small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations...
runoff infiltration
Infiltration (hydrology)
Infiltration is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil. Infiltration rate in soil science is a measure of the rate at which soil is able to absorb rainfall or irrigation. It is measured in inches per hour or millimeters per hour. The rate decreases as the soil becomes...
. Logging and geothermal resource extraction were still possible impacts to the area.
In 1984 a new design for the preserve was drafted by the staff of The Nature Conservancy to address these issues. Based on the previous efforts of studying and managing the site, the expanded area added two major and six small parcels of the lake edge and a large meadow west of the lake to the original boundaries.
These additions were obtained with donations from individuals, and the Dean Witter
Dean G. Witter
Dean G. Witter was a U.S. businessman who co-founded Dean Witter & Company, which became the largest investment house on the West Coast....
Foundation and the Goodhill Foundation. Another benefit from this purchase was connecting the preserve to the county road to providepublic access
Public Access
Public Access is a 1993 American drama film directed by Bryan Singer in his feature film debut. Singer also wrote the screenplay with Christopher McQuarrie and Michael Feit Dougan. The film was shot in 18 days for US$250,000. It was screened at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival, where it was...
to the area.
The history of the Boggs Lake Ecological Reserve became a model for understanding what needs to be accomplished when the goal is to preserve lands having biological significance and diversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
. In its early days, the Conservancy chose sites for protection based on opportunity rather than scientific analysis of the environment. Today, the information gathered and analysed is the driving force for selection of areas for preservation by the Conservancy.
Flora and fauna
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane...
and Douglas-fir and hardwoods: black, canyon and live oak trees, as well as madrone trees.
Other plants at Boggs Lake include poison oak
Poison oak
Poison oak may refer to* Toxicodendron diversilobum, grows on West Coast of North America* Toxicodendron pubescens, grows in the Eastern United Statesdamnnnnn tissss is terribleee...
, manzanita
Manzanita
Manzanita is a common name for many species of the genus Arctostaphylos. They are evergreen shrubs or small trees present in the chaparral biome of western North America, where they occur from southern British Columbia, Washington to California, Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, and...
, wild pea, bracken fern, coyote thistle, wild mustard and California or ground rose.
Wildlife include deer, coyote, jackrabbit, chipmunk, grey squirrel, raccoon, skunk, bobcat, and fox.
Birds use the vernal pool as a rest stop on migration flights as well as year around habitat. During a five-year period from 1982 to 1987, 139 species of birds were observed at Boggs Lake including both Bald and Golden eagles.
Other birds seen are Pygmy Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Hermit Warbler, Purple Martin, Red-winged Blackbirds,Ruddy Ducks, Marsh Wrens, Mallards, and California Quail.
Endangered plants
The Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop was discovered in 1923 in Lake County. It grows to a height of about four inches, has lance-shaped leaves and small yellowish-white flowers which bloom from April to August. It is found in vernal pools, marshy areas and at the edges of lakes and cattle ponds and can bloom in as much as two inches of water.The few-flowered Navarretia
Navarretia
Navarretia is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants related to the phloxes and the gilias. This is one genus of plants among others which are sometimes called pincushion plants. The inflorescence which bears the flowers is surrounded by frilly green bracts bearing soft spines, giving it...
is a member of the Phlox
Phlox
Phlox is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants found mostly in North America in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie. Some flower in spring, others in summer and autumn....
family and was first collected northwest of the town of Lower Lake
Lower Lake, California
Lower Lake is a census-designated place in Lake County, California, USA. Lower Lake is located east-southeast of Kelseyville, at an elevation of 1371 feet...
in 1945. It is an annual herb with lobed leaves, grows to a height of almost two inches and has tubular white or purple flower clusters. It germinates under water like many vernal pool species. May and June are when the plants bloom after the pool has dried.
Western Pond Turtle
Western pond turtle
The western pond turtle , or Pacific pond turtle is a small to medium-sized turtle growing to approximately 20 cm in carapace length. It is limited to the west coast of the United States of America and Mexico, ranging from western Washington state to northern Baja California...
(Clemmys marmorata also Actinemys marmorata) is one of several reptiles at Boggs Lake and is listed as a species of special concern
California species of special concern
"Species of special concern" is a protective legal designation assigned by the California Department of Fish & Game to wildlife species that are at risk...
by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). Boggs Lake provides habitat for the Western Pond Turtle. The preserve has water for feeding and body temperature regulation, as well as a nearby upland environment, which allows laying of eggs in areas not subject to submersion and basking areas (again, for regulation of body temperature).
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University is a public, coeducational business and liberal arts college affiliated with the California State University system. The main campus is located in Rohnert Park, California, United States and lies approximately south of Santa Rosa and north of San Francisco...
(SSU) began a study project at Boggs Lake with funds from SSU and the Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Commission. The project goals are to prevent extinction
Extinction
In biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms , normally a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point...
and solve the temperature-sex mystery. Turtle eggs from Boggs Lake are being hatched at different temperatures to find out what temperature determines male or female. The turtles will eventually be released back to Boggs Lake.
The Western Pond Turtle has been impacted by destruction of habitat, where once they were common from Washington state to Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
, now only can be found in isolated areas in Southern California and the Central Valley.
"Western Pond Turtles are a snapshot of what is happening to turtles in general. Turtles are in decline on a global basis." said Nick Geist, associate professor of Biology at SSU.
External links
- Link to photo of Boggs Lake retrieved 24 Apr 2008
- Art of endangered plant at Boggs Lake retrieved 24 Apr 2008
- Solano County Water Agency species description of the hedge-hyssop. retrieved 9 May 2008