monoculture stands nearby
or adjacent to the redwood forest. Two of the invasive plants, English
ivy and English holly, are shade-tolerant species that aggressively
displace native plants in the closed-canopied portions of the redwood
forest. In particular, English ivy has a distinct impact in the
riparian corridor associated with Palo Seco Creek downstream of
the Lower Meadow in Area "G" (Figure 1), where it has begun to smother
the herbs, shrubs, and trees (see Figures 6 and 7). There are several
other areas where English ivy is just getting established and will
potentially spread rapidly. One area of concern is just below Area
"K" (Figure 1), where the slope supports the most diverse and intact
native vegetation observed along the trail system during the field
survey. This slope supports a large patch of wild ginger (Asarum
caudatum) and scattered baneberry (Actaea rubra), Smith's fairy
bells (Disporum smithii), spreading wood fern (Dryopteris expansa),
star Solomon's seal (Smilacina stellata), fringe cups (Tellima grandiflora)
and western trillium (Trillium ovatum).
There are other invasive plant infestations associated with the redwood forest that were observed during the field survey. There is a large periwinkle patch just down slope of the Big Trees trail near Area "J" (Figure 1). There is a moderate-sized patch of German-ivy along the Sunset trail just west of an unidentified trail that connects to the Sequoia Bayview trail. These species also displace native plants and greatly reduce the diversity of an area in both flora and fauna.
There are other invasive plant infestations associated with the redwood forest that were observed during the field survey. There is a large periwinkle patch just down slope of the Big Trees trail near Area "J" (Figure 1). There is a moderate-sized patch of German-ivy along the Sunset trail just west of an unidentified trail that connects to the Sequoia Bayview trail. These species also displace native plants and greatly reduce the diversity of an area in both flora and fauna.
Figure 6: English ivy climbing redwood trees (along Palo Seco Creek).

