Pyramid Point

Click here for Biodiversity Survey findings

Pyramid Point is located in the North Coast region of California within the Pyramid Point State Marine Conservation Area and is part of the Smith River Rancheria. The site is highly sand influenced with sand levels varying greatly throughout the year. This gently sloping site consists of extremely uneven terrain, containing many deep cracks and folds.

Pyramid Point is dominated by a mixture of boulder fields (Franciscan mélange. Soapstone/serpentinite), cobble, and sandy beach, and the area surrounding the site is comprised of a mixture of consolidated bedrock, boulder fields, and sandy beach. The primary coastal orientation of this site is west/southwest.

Long-Term Monitoring Surveys at Pyramid Point were established in 2014, and are done by Humboldt State University. Long-Term MARINe surveys currently target the following species: Mytilus (California Mussel), Phyllospadix (Surfgrass), and Pisaster (Ochre Star). In addition, motile invertebrates and mussel size structure are monitored at this site.

Biodiversity Surveys were done in 2014 and 2018. The Biodiversity Survey grid encompasses one section that is approximately 20 meters (along shore) x 33 meters (seaward). Click here to view Biodiversity Survey findings at this site.

For more information about Pyramid Point, please contact Pete Raimondi (raimondi@ucsc.edu).