Tyler: We decided to research a local ecosystem only 30 minutes away.

Point Reyes national

seashore is home to more than 900 species of plants but its delicate balance is being upset.
(start animation)​ An invasive plant is taking over and killing native species. (animation ends)
The Ice plant.

Vivian: Even without invasive species, Point Reyes has many factors that contribute to its
carrying capacity. Point Reyes is a small area to house 1,500 unique species but in addition to
the plants and animals, humans are taking up space with things like campers. The other main
limiting factor is a lack of fresh water. Point Reyes is located on a seashore therefore, it has an
abundance of salty seawater but only has a few fresh water streams.

Rachel: Even with these factors Point Reyes still has a beautiful and unique ecosystem that
make it the perfect environment for over 48 rare species of plants. With in the general coastal
dunes landscape several micro habitats exists allowing for the high species diversity. As we
have already stated more than 900 plants thrive as well as 80 mammals, 85 fish, and 29
reptiles. Half of the bird species in the United States can call Point Reyes home at some point in
the year which is over 490 unique species. Some of these species can only thrive in the unique
environment Point Reyes has to offer. One example is the Checker Lily ​(animation)​. However
out of those 900 species of plants 300 of them are not native to the area and ⅓ of those
nonnative species are invasive and destroy the balance of Point Reyes. One of the most
harmful example is the Ice Plant.

Grant: The Ice Plant is a succulent originally from South Africa. We are not sure how it was first
introduced to Point Reyes however it is extremely likely it was from human influence. It has
taken full over full hillsides. The plants native to Point Reyes coastal dunes are unable to
compete with the resilience and competitiveness of the Ice Plant. However, native animals like
butterflies rely on the native dune plants and can’t survive when the Ice plant takes over their
microhabitat. This can lead to the disintegration of Point Reyes’ biodiversity and its 1,500
species that call it home.

Tyler: This picture is only a small representation of the destructive nature of the Ice Plant. It
spreads like an unstoppable plague without discretion over the plants and animals who belong
to the destroyed habitats.

Rachel: Butterflies are among the most affected animals by the Ice Plant. In the 1970s Myrtle's
Silverspot butterflies were believed to be extinct everywhere except Point Reyes diminishing
population. Since then they have recovered slightly but Point Reyes is still one of the last 2
places they can be found. Two populations live in Point Reyes and a third in Sonoma County.
The Ice Plant and other invasive species are the silverspot butterflies largest threat. Their
habitats are quickly degenerating and the places they can thrive are getting smaller. The
butterfly’s 4 main food sources the Dune Sagebrush, coast buckwheat, dune lupine, and
goldenbush are very susceptible to destruction by the Ice Plant. ​(animation)
Grant: In fact, as you can see it is not only the butterflies at risk. The species of Point Reyes are
heavily interconnected. If the plants we have mentioned before disappear ​(play animation)​ due
to the ice plant it will have repercussion in all trophic levels. ​(Play Second Animation)​.Since
there are so many species at Point Reyes, over 1,500, it must maintain homeostasis in order for
all the micro habitats to remain intact. The Point Reyes ecosystem maintains stability through its
species diversity. They all fulfill a very specialised niche that supports the others’. As you can
see in this food web, all of the species are deeply interconnected. Each microhabitat has
balance within itself, but the microhabitats themselves connect to create the complex ecosystem
that is Point Reyes.

Tyler: Here you can see a food chain from the producer to the Primary consumer, and then to
the top consumer. The carbon cycle is shown in green. The carbon from plant and animal
respiration is stored in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. This diagram clearly
shows that Point Reyes is influential to the environment.

Vivian: Considering that Point Reyes is local we have organised a volunteer day so San Marin
students can have a chance to actively make a difference in their community. We have
corresponded with Point Reyes to set up a special volunteer opportunity only for San Marin
students. Unfortunately we are still working with them to see if this is possible.

Rachel: If the volunteer day is possible, we will release more information soon. We look forward
to getting your help to get rid of the ice plants ​(animation)​ and save Point Reyes.

Vivian: If you are unable to participate in the volunteer days we still have opportunities for you to
help! Our team will be collecting donations that will be given to Point Reyes to further their
efforts in keeping this ecosystem free of unnecessary human influence and beautiful for years to
come. If you would like to donate here is the container (hold up container). We also need your
help to spread awareness of this local but pressing issue. To learn more information please visit
the website we created at ​savepointreyes.weebly.com​ and help further our efforts.

Grant: ​(Animation)​ Here is our works cited page. Thank you for listening.