Acer macrophyllum
Riparian woodland vegetation is located Carbonera Creek and its tributaries. The 1990 Earth Metrics EIR identifies broadleaf deciduous trees as dominating this habitat and are able to survive because of the year-round presence of fresh water. Examples of such trees present in the riparian zone include California bay laurel ("Umbellularia californica"), boxelder ("Acer negundo"), California sycamore ("Platanus racemosa"), black cottonwood ("Populus trichocarpa"), bigleaf maple ("Acer macrophyllum"), white alder ("Alnus rhombifolia"), and various willows (Salix spp.). Invasive root systems of these trees are important in erosion control and their dense canopy provides food and shelter for a variety of birds and mammals, yielding high habitat value. The lush cover afforded by this habitat also provides wildlife with a suitable environment for breeding. Additional vegetation found along creek banks includes California blackberry ("Rubus vitifolius"), Himalaya blackberry (Rubus procerus), poison oak ("Rhus diversiloba"), Naltic rush ("Juncus balticus"), redwood sorrel ("Oxalis oregana"), snowberry ("Symphoricarpos rivularis"), Coastal wood fern ("Dryopteris arguta"), and other herbaceous species and decaying vegetation.