| California montane chaparral and woodlands | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Montane chaparral and woodlands ofBig Sur | |
 | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Nearctic |
| Biome | Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub |
| Borders | |
| Bird species | 222[1] |
| Mammal species | 78[1] |
| Geography | |
| Area | 20,400 km2 (7,900 sq mi) |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Climate type | Mediterranean andMediterranean-influenced humid continental (Csb andDsb) |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable[2] |
| Global 200 | Yes |
| Habitat loss | 2.7345%[1] |
| Protected | 63.53%[1] |
TheCalifornia montane chaparral and woodlands is an ecoregion defined by theWorld Wildlife Fund, spanning 7,900 square miles (20,000 km2) of mountains in theTransverse Ranges,Peninsular Ranges, andCoast Ranges ofsouthern and central California. The ecoregion is part of the largerCalifornia chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, and belongs to theMediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrubbiome.[3]
The ecoregion spreads from low foothills up to the highest peaks of the following ranges:San Bernardino Mountains,San Jacinto Mountains,San Gabriel Mountains,Santa Susana Mountains,Santa Monica Mountains,Sierra Pelona,Topatopa Mountains,Tehachapi Mountains,San Rafael Mountains,Santa Ynez Mountains, and the longSanta Lucia Mountains.
The wide elevation range and characteristic climate produce a variety of natural communities, fromchaparral tomixed evergreen forest toalpine tundra.[3]
The region'sMediterranean climate is hot and dry in the summer and cool and wet in the winter. Mid-summermonsoonalthunderstorms often form over theTransverse andPeninsular Ranges ofSouthern California, introducing additional rain to the region.[3]
Shrublands ofChamise,Manzanita species, andscrub oak tend to dominate the lower elevations of California montane chaparral and woodlands. This ecoregion contains several oak species, includingcoast live oak,canyon live oak (golden-cup oak),interior live oak,tan oak, andEngelmann oak. It has eightendemic conifer species.
A mosaic of differentmanzanita species andclosed-cone pine forest appears at higher elevations. Bigcone Douglas-fir,Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, is a notable resident of some of these communities. TheMediterranean California Lower Montane Black Oak-Conifer Forest plant community occurs here.
Mixed evergreen forest occurs from 4,500 to 9,500 feet (1,400 to 2,900 m) and includesincense-cedar,foothill pine,sugar pine,white fir,Jeffrey pine,ponderosa pine, andwestern juniper. Higher elevations to 11,500 feet (3,500 m) support subalpine forests oflimber pine,lodgepole pine, andJeffrey pine.[3]
Hesperoyucca whipplei, colloquially known as Chaparral Yucca, is commonplace throughout the lower elevations of the climate zone.
The region contains many species of small vertebrate, including thewestern fence lizard,white-eared pocket mouse, several species ofkangaroo rat, and theendangeredmountain yellow-legged frog. The area includes some larger predators such as theblack bear,mountain lion,bobcat,coyote,ring-tailed cats, and thecritically endangeredCalifornia condor.[3]
Themonarch butterfly winters within the coastal woodlands this ecoregion.
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Approximately 30 percent of California montane chaparral and woodlands remains intact. About 70 percent has been lost due to degradation activities of humans.[4] Montane chaparral is threatened chiefly by development, grazing, logging, conversion to vineyards, and too-frequent wildfire.[5]
This is an ongoing threat notably inSouthern California, but also in its northernmost reaches inMonterey County, wherepopulation pressure is most intense. Major urban centers located within this ecoregion includeMonterey,Santa Barbara,Tehachapi, and the foothill portions of various cities fronting theSan Gabriel andSan Bernardino Mountains.
State and federal fish and wildlife agencies, and environmental associations are attempting to conserve the remaining intact ecoregion. The U.S. Forest Service efforts include timber harvest conservation measures in areas with endangered tree species and highendemic and relict speciesplant communities. Much of the range is within theLos Padres National Forest,Angeles National Forest, andSan Bernardino National Forest. Mixed conifer and closed-cone pine forests have been heavily impacted byair pollution. Air quality has improved in southern montane areas around theLos Angeles Basin since implementation ofsmog reduction policies and practices in the latter 20th century.[3]
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