Seal, Rail, Sparrow, Falcon,
Osprey, Eagle, Tern, Plover, Crab:
Wetlands Action Needed at Mugu Lagoon
Based on MacGinitie's Excerpts Presented Here

compiled by
Robert 'Roy' J. van de Hoek
Field Biologist & Geographer
Sierra Club, Audubon, & Wetlands Action Network
Spring Equinox, 2001
Malibu, California

The TABULATA

SANTA BARBARA MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY
= FOUNDED 1962 =
Volume 2, N0.4 .................................. October 1, 1969

This issue of The Tabulata is dedicated to George E. MacGinitie and Nettie L. MacGinitie in recognition of their many years of fruitful research and their valued contribution to the science of Marine Biology

EDITOR'S NOTE:
The information contained in this report was obtained during the period of 1 May 1962 to 5 June 1964 and was done partially under a contract between the U.S. Naval Missile Center, Point Mugu, California and the University of Southern California. This area is within the Pacific Missile Range and therefore not open to the public.

A REPORT ON MUGU LAGOON
by George E. MacGinitie and Nettie L. MacGinitie

MUGU LAGOON
Physical Features
Size and Location
The number of salt water lagoons existing today in their natural state is fast decreasing. Unfortunately the influx of population, especially to the West Coast area, along with the concomitant growth of commercial development bodes evil for the retention of these areas. One such lagoon, that remains today in its natural state is the Mugu Lagoon located at the U.S. Naval Missile Center, Point Mugu, California.

The Importance of Mugu Lagoon

Mugu Lagoon is the only lagoon in southern California that has not been almost entirely depleted of its marine life. A number of species of animals can be found here that have been exterminated in other estuaries.

Tides

For two years the lowest tides at the porpoise pool were 3.5 feet above low water--witht exception of three or four days when Public Works NAS, Point Mugu, dredged a channel from the lagoon to the ocean. This channel partially filled again almost before it was finished. The lowest tide at the maximum depth of the dredged channel was +2.2 feet and this was for only one day. The dredging activity by the Public Works Department resulted in the building up of quite extensive bars inside the entrance. Undoubtedly, several thousand cubic yards of beach sand moved inside the lagoon. The condition at at the mouth and just inside was much worse than before the dredging took place. ,p> When the tide is low in the ocean, and if allowance is made for 1 foot of water running out over the bar, the bar itself is 2.5 feet above low water. It is interesting to note that this height of 2.5 feet is the same as the height at Elkhorn Slough, an estuary of Monterey Bay. This height at Elkhorn Slough was stable at +2.5 feet for four years, even though the entrance migrated along the beach just as it does at the mouth of Mugu Lagoon.(1)

An interesting feature of the results of a entrance holding at +2.5 feet above low tide (as shown by USC&GS tide tables) is that some of the best collecting tides in the lagoon occur during neap tide periods. At such times, ocean water may not run into the lagoon for a period of 18 hours, in other words, the lagoon drains for 18 hours or more. This prolonged period of draining no doubt adds to the pollution of the lagoon, since a greater exchange of water between the lagoon and the ocean would minimize the pollution.

Birds

No intesive field work ws done on birds. The following list was obtained through interest and casual observation. The birds are a very important group in the mudflats region. At low tide the first nine listed comb the exposed flats, picking up small invertebrates they can find.....

Some birds are quite specialized in their feeding habits. Coots and Brandt Goose eat the vegetation. Coots eat mostly in Station 7. Brandt Goose feed mostly on eel-grass (Zostera)at Stations 5 and 6, although they sometimes come to Station 7 to feed with the coots

Practically none of these birds nests along the shore of the lagoon but an occasional coot nest may be found. The least tern nests on the sand flats and stays during the summer months.
Birds Observed in Mugu Lagoon ......... Feeding Habits
Brandt Goose .......................... Feed almost exclusively on vegetation
Harlequin ............................. Feed mostly on vegetation, seeds, and some invertebrates
Merganser ..............................Feed on fish
Scoter (2 species) .....................Feed on small crabs
....

Mammals

The only mammal of importance to life in the lagoon is the harbor seal Phoca vitulina. As many as 140 of these seals have been counted lying on the sand islands inside the lagoon. They feed extensively in Stations 1,2 and 3. These seals feed almost exclusively on fish , though they alse eat octopuses and squids. Squids do not enter the lagoon but octopuses, though small (1lb. or less), are not uncommon.

Seal feeding periods are of rather short duration since they appear to be able to satisfy their hunger within an hour or two. Warm blooded mammals like seals and sea lions can easily catch fish becasue they do not tire so quickly. Seals spend much of their time basking on the sand. They go in and out the entrance of the lagoon at will. When the entrance was closed on 8 March 1964, several seals were left inside but an early morning visit to the beach while the entrance was still closed revealed tracks of the seals going to the ocean, apparently during the preceding night.

Conclusion

A great deal of investigatory research has been done during short summer sessions at marine laboratories has led to the general impression that beaches and estuaries have a static population. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Apparently individuals of all species of animals have a life span characteristic of each particular species. It is recognized that the age limits of macroscopic animals may range from 6 days (copepod) to perhaps a hundred years or even several hundred years (sea anemone). The factor of longevity alone assures change, for the new settlers may not be the same species as that of the settlement that dies out formm old age.

Violent storms, a change of current associated with high temperatures, a particularly hot day or days in conjunction with neap tides, fresh water from heavy rains, etc., may cause local or widespread destruction of animal colonies. These factors do not include the activities of man, which in this day and age frequently account for the wholesale destruction of animals communities.

On the whole, the general prognosis for the lagoon is one of improvement-- if some regulation of human activities can be achieved. Continual vigilance will have to be maintained to prevent partial or complete destruction of the lagoon as a reservation for marine animals.

Literature Cited

1. MacGinitie, G.E. 1935. Ecological aspects of a California marine estuary. American Midland Naturalist16(5):629-765.

2. MacGinitie, G.E. 1955. Distribution and ecology of the marine invertebrates of Point Barrow, Alaska. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collection128(9):1-201.

Acknowledgements

We wish to express our thanks to Captain K.C. Childers, Commander, U.S. Naval Missile Center, Point Mugu (now Vice Admiral, Naval Air Systems Command, Washington D.C.) and to Mr. Don Sullivan, the admiral's Civilian Liason Officer at the Missile Center, who gave us their unstinting support.

CONCLUDING REMARKS
by
Robert 'Roy' J. van de Hoek
Field Biologist & Geographer
Sierra Club, Audubon, & Wetlands Action Network

In 1974, George MacGinitie wrote a book about the "WILD WORLD OF ANIMALS" in which many animals were discussed including seals. He advocated that animals not be shot with guns, but rather with cameras. He further demonstrates that "WILD NATURE" is important to people and especially to children. Marine Biologists focus on invertebrates and algae, almost never on birds and mammals, so it is of note that the MacGinities discussed the seals and some birds. They admit that their study was not oriented to birds. It is therefore no surprise that Clapper Rail and Belding's Savannah Sparrow which are two endangered birds of salt marsh are not mentioned by them. But today, 40 years later, there is not excuse for not recovering these two birds at Mugu Lagoon by having more tidal flow enter the lagoon and doing more to remove non-native animals and plants. We do not see Rich Ambrose suggesting that foxes be killed, Myoporum and Arundo removed, more tidal flow brought into Mugu Lagoon. Ambrose is certainly not a very good ecologist. I learned recently that he knows virtually nothing about plants and birds and insects. These are very important elements of lagoons, wetlands, and estuaries. In addition, I learned that he is specialized in study of rocky open ocean environments, and knows virtually nothing about estuaries and wetlands.

In this brief article in TABULATA, although packed with information in its 9 pages, seals are discussed as are birds, but we also note that the MacGinities discuss "FRESHWATER" as a toxin and poison to estuarine life. Ricketts (1939) in Between Pacific Tidesnoted that it was proper to refer to "FRESHWATER" as a poison and toxin. It is well to remember that "FRESHWATER" is a poison and toxin to many animals and plants in estuaries, sloughs, tidal creeks, lagoons, bays, and coastal wetlands. The Navy has not stood up to all new freshwater runoff entering Mugu Lagoon. Under federal law of NEPA, using EIS analysis, it should address urban & agricultural toxic freshwater runoff, by sueing farmers and cities upstream of the Naval Base. If not, then close the Naval Base, make it a State & National Park, so that the Park can sue the farmers and urban cities for polluting the precious treasure of Mugu Wetland. There is toxic freswater entering Mugu Lagoon from Navy activities of the road and tarring of roads and spills of jet fuel entering Mugu Lagoon. The golf course and Airport runway with freshwater irrigation enters the groundwater and Mugu Lagoon. And lastly, the contriction of tidal flow into Mugu Lagoon, by having a narrow culvert restrict waters at high tide to enter the west arm of Mugu Lagoon. This road and culver needs to be removed as note by the MacGinities nearly 40 years ago. After 40 years with no change, the road and culvert still present. A road as a bridge with pilings could have been built that would have allowed full tidal flow to the west arm of Mugu Lagoon, together with removal of the golf area and move the airfield runway, or allow water to flow between the air fields, would be a solution.

The List of RESTORATION ACTIONS that are Recommended for Mugu Lagoon:
1. Remove at least four roads that are on levees that fragment the lagoon.
2. Remove the golf course/driving range, and make it wetland habitat.
3. Alter & move air field runway, so that tidal flow can enter these areas.
4. Make a bridge and remove culverts on the main road crossing the central lagoon.
5. Remove all shrubby vegetation and trees around the Naval Buildings
6. Stop all freshwater watering of plants and irrigation on the base
7. No car-washing on the base
8. Remove all asphalt and tarred roads and replace with cement roads.
9. Eliminate all hunting on the base. No more shooting rabbits and birds.
10. Remove all Fox humanely from the Base.
11. Re-establish and encourage COYOTE to be on the Base.
12. Set up Eagle & Osprey Nesting/Hacking Towers. Acquire Eagles & Osprey from Zoos.
13. Initiate lawsuits against farmers, duck hunting club, and urban cities for freshwater runoff poison that enters the Mugu Lagoon and Estuary.
14. Involve the public with art, poetry, music, and prose writing about the beauty and importance of Mugu Lagoon for an increasingly urbanized citizenry.
15. Begin a CALIFORNIA BLACK RAIL reintroduction program.
16. Begin working with California State Parks to link Malibu Lagoon and Point Mugu State Parks to the Mugu Lagoon ecosystem. Begin working with National Park Service and US Fish & Wildlife Service to turn over some Navy land to public park.
17. Allow Sierra Club, Audubon, and Wetlands Action Network to Oversee and Review all items listed above. EMBRACE DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT!!!!!!!!!


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