CONCLUSION*

    The soil characteristics of the habitat for the Morro Bay Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys heermanni morroenis) were studied. A comparison of the soil profiles in the Morro Dunes Ecological Reserve and the undisturbed site showed that many changes had occurred in the soil environment due to the plowing activities of the early 1950's. The soil profile, depth of the Mollic epipedon, and the soil tructure were all affected by the disturbance. The ecological reserve profiles were also compared to the Baywood series modal site. Here, variations between the two soils were caused not only by the plowing, but by differences in land use and location. The Baywood series modal site was located one mile inland of the project site The greater distance inland, however small, allowed more time for a greater number of horizons to develop. The deeper Mollic epipedon resulted from agricultural practices, particularly irrigation of the site, and incorporation of greater amounts of organic matter into the soil. The development of massive structure may be due to the use of heavy farm equipment.

*Moss, D.C. 1984. A soil survey of the Morro Dunes Ecological Reserve. Senior Project, Soil Science Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.