Comments on: Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve http://spotsunknown.com/mount-sutro-open-space-reserve/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mount-sutro-open-space-reserve Forgotten places, histories, and events of San Francisco Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:55:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: RKB http://spotsunknown.com/mount-sutro-open-space-reserve/#comment-1650 RKB Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:42:56 +0000 http://spotsunknown.com/?p=585#comment-1650 I'm declaring my own biases - I'm one of those trying to preserve the ecosystem that's there now. Two points: One, there's no evidence that native plants support more species. There are more species of birds in the forest than on Twin Peaks, for instance. A lot of myths have been spread about eucalyptus, but as you will see in this beautiful cloud forest, there's a thriving ecosystem there already. We've recorded over 40 species of birds there. http://sutroforest.com/2010/03/29/sutro-forest-birds/ Two, keeping a dense, established century-old forest in place actually increases the biodiversity of the area. http://sutroforest.com/2010/05/07/protecting-sutro-cloud-forest-helps-biodiversity/ On a foggy day, this forest is probably the most beautiful place to visit in all San Francisco. (Be prepared for mud, though!) http://sutroforest.com/2010/08/08/mount-sutro-forest-a-walk-in-the-fog/ I’m declaring my own biases – I’m one of those trying to preserve the ecosystem that’s there now. Two points: One, there’s no evidence that native plants support more species. There are more species of birds in the forest than on Twin Peaks, for instance. A lot of myths have been spread about eucalyptus, but as you will see in this beautiful cloud forest, there’s a thriving ecosystem there already. We’ve recorded over 40 species of birds there.
http://sutroforest.com/2010/03/29/sutro-forest-birds/

Two, keeping a dense, established century-old forest in place actually increases the biodiversity of the area.
http://sutroforest.com/2010/05/07/protecting-sutro-cloud-forest-helps-biodiversity/

On a foggy day, this forest is probably the most beautiful place to visit in all San Francisco. (Be prepared for mud, though!)
http://sutroforest.com/2010/08/08/mount-sutro-forest-a-walk-in-the-fog/

]]> By: Hillapalooza – an Urban Hike « Spots Unknown http://spotsunknown.com/mount-sutro-open-space-reserve/#comment-696 Hillapalooza – an Urban Hike « Spots Unknown Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:06:13 +0000 http://spotsunknown.com/?p=585#comment-696 [...] this hike, you could add Mt. Davidson (the highest peak in the city) and Mt. Sutro (there's a great native plant reserve at the top). Go for [...] [...] this hike, you could add Mt. Davidson (the highest peak in the city) and Mt. Sutro (there's a great native plant reserve at the top). Go for [...]

]]> By: Jeff Diehl http://spotsunknown.com/mount-sutro-open-space-reserve/#comment-343 Jeff Diehl Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:55:39 +0000 http://spotsunknown.com/?p=585#comment-343 michael, i'm relatively new to the idea of native plant species and their value, but from what i've had explained to me by folks like <a href="http://spotsunknown.com/precita-creek-san-francisco/" rel="nofollow">Amber and Iris</a>, when native plants thrive they support a more robust diversity of other species, including insects and birds, which then support other species in the local food chain. when non-native plants dominate, there tends to be less of this diversity, and lower stability among the existing species. even worse, many of the non-natives are invasive and require drastic damage-control, which itself causes further damage. nonetheless, i'm not an absolutist on this, since the land we're on has been irrevocably changed, and often our best-intentioned actions have consequences that can be self-defeating. i embrace a certain type of existentialism that tries to respect this paradox, and in that spirit, i can appreciate the absolutists on both sides. michael, i’m relatively new to the idea of native plant species and their value, but from what i’ve had explained to me by folks like Amber and Iris, when native plants thrive they support a more robust diversity of other species, including insects and birds, which then support other species in the local food chain.

when non-native plants dominate, there tends to be less of this diversity, and lower stability among the existing species. even worse, many of the non-natives are invasive and require drastic damage-control, which itself causes further damage.

nonetheless, i’m not an absolutist on this, since the land we’re on has been irrevocably changed, and often our best-intentioned actions have consequences that can be self-defeating. i embrace a certain type of existentialism that tries to respect this paradox, and in that spirit, i can appreciate the absolutists on both sides.

]]> By: michael r http://spotsunknown.com/mount-sutro-open-space-reserve/#comment-342 michael r Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:44:54 +0000 http://spotsunknown.com/?p=585#comment-342 This looks like an amazing find and I can't wait to go on an urban hike. It makes no sense to try to create a few acres of "native habitat" in the middle of a city. What could it accomplish other than the destruction of what exists now? This looks like an amazing find and I can’t wait to go on an urban hike.

It makes no sense to try to create a few acres of “native habitat” in the middle of a city. What could it accomplish other than the destruction of what exists now?

]]> By: Sonia http://spotsunknown.com/mount-sutro-open-space-reserve/#comment-235 Sonia Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:11:08 +0000 http://spotsunknown.com/?p=585#comment-235 It's exciting to discover this as a natural place to explore in the city. I'll have to make plans to visit soon - as a recent rural transplant, I'm starved for some greenery. It’s exciting to discover this as a natural place to explore in the city. I’ll have to make plans to visit soon – as a recent rural transplant, I’m starved for some greenery.

]]>