URBAN AND SUBURBAN AREAS

Urban landscape includes both native and non-native vegetation growing within the main campus and around residential areas of Stanford lands. Vegetation consists of remnant native species, such as oaks, as well as non-native trees (primarily Eucalyptus), ruderal annual grasslands, and ornamental landscape plants.

Urban landscaping, especially where it is adjacent to native plant communities, can provide valuable habitat elements for wildlife, including cover for nesting and roosting and food. Native and introduced animals that are tolerant of human activities can thrive in urban landscapes. These species include: western fence lizard, northern mockingbird, barn swallow, raccoon, striped skunk, European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus caralinensis), fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), house mouse (Mus musculus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), black rat (Rattus rattus), and opossum.

Highly developed areas such as the Stanford Shopping Center and the Stanford Research Park area consist of small urban landscapes that have little value to native wildlife.

Click here to view images of urban and surburban areas.