Southern and Central California Chaparral and Oak Woodlands Ecoregion: Chapter 19 in <i>Status and trends of land change in the Western United States--1973 to 2000</i>

Napton, Darrell E.

Abstract:

The Southern and Central California Chaparral and Oak Woodlands Ecoregion, which covers approximately 102,110 km² (39,425 mi²), is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with cool, moist winters and hot, dry summers (Omernik, 1987; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1997). Natural vegetation includes chaparral (for example, manzanita, Arctostaphylos spp.) and oak (Quercus spp.) woodlands with extensive grassland and shrubland cover. The low mountains and foothills of the ecoregion border or parallel the Pacific Ocean from Mexico to Point Reyes, California, and continue inland surrounding the Central California Valley Ecoregion (fig. 1). These mountains and hills are interrupted by limited areas of flat land generally used for development or agriculture. The largest developed area in the ecoregion is the Los Angeles Basin, followed by the San Francisco Bay area and the San Diego metropolitan area (fig. 1). The largest agricultural area is the Salinas River valley south of Monterey, California. Most of the ecoregion consists of rangelands classified as grassland/ shrubland and forest land covers (figs. 1,2).

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

70042611

Citation Author:

Napton, Darrell E.

Citation Contributing Office:

Western Geographic Science Center

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Citation End Page:

206

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Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

Status and trends of land change in the Western United States--1973 to 2000: Volume A in Status and trends of land change in the United States--1973 to 2000 (PP 1794-A)

Citation LatN:

40.5

Citation LatS:

32.5

Citation LonE:

-116.0

Citation LonW:

-123.25

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Citation Phsyical Description:

Chapter 19: 8 p.

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Citation Public Comments:

This publication is Chapter 19 in Status and trends of land change in the Western United States--1973 to 2000, which is Volume A in Status and trends of land change in the United States--1973 to 2000, PP 1794. Volume A consists of 30 chapters. For access to other chapters, please visit PP 1794-A.

Citation Publisher:

U.S. Geological Survey

Citation Series:

Professional Paper

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

1794-A-19

Citation Search Results Text:

Southern and Central California Chaparral and Oak Woodlands Ecoregion: Chapter 19 in Status and trends of land change in the Western United States--1973 to 2000; 2012; PP; 1794-A-19; Status and trends of land change in the Western United States--1973 to 2000: Volume A in Status and trends of land change in the United States--1973 to 2000 (PP 1794-A); Napton, Darrell E.