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Santa Monica Bay
Restoration Commission
320 West 4th Street,
Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (213) 576-6615
Fax: (213) 576-6646
E-mail:
smbrc@waterboards.ca.gov
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THE COSTAL DUNE HABITAT once extended over 15 km along the central coast of Santa Monica Bay from present-day Ocean Park (Santa Monica) in the north to the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the south, covering an area of more than l200 hectares (3000 acres). The dunes now cover an area of a little more than 80 hectares (200 acres), with the largest remaining remnant located on the western edge of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Smaller remnants are found on the northwestern corner of a Chevron Oil Company Refinery in El Segundo, Malaga Cove and Ballona wetlands.
The dunes, home to more than 900 plant and animal species, have been monitored every year since 1984 due to the presence of the El Segundo blue butterfly, a federally endangered species. The dunes provide the only known habitat for the El Segundo blue, which, throughout its lifecycle, feeds exclusively on native coastal buckwheat. The El Segundo blue was on the verge of extinction when two preserves were established at LAX and the Chevron Refinery to protect the butterfly's remaining habitat and rebuild its population. From the mid-1980's until the late 90's the number of butterflies at the two sites increased dramatically. At LAX, it is estimated that numbers increased from about 500 individuals in 1986 to upwards of 10,000 in 1997 (Crowther, 1997). Future prospects for the El Segundo blue butterfly remain cloudy, primarily due to threats of invasive species to the dune habitat. Non-native species such as iceplant and acacia invade the dunes, out-competing the Coastal buckwheat upon which the El Segundo blue depends. The Los Angeles Department of Airports and Chevron Co. both have on-going efforts to maintaining the habitats on their properties, including the planting of coastal buckwheat and the removal of grasses, weeds, and other invasive species.
If you would like to read more about coastal dune habitat in the Bay, go to Habitats and Species.
Crowther, Steve, Environmental Manager, Los Angeles Department of Airports, LAX. 1997, 2002. Personal communication.
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