Section 261A
Central California Coast
This
section consists of mountains, hills, valleys, and plains in the southern
Coast Ranges of California. It is close enough to the Pacific Ocean
for the climate to be modified greatly by marine influence. The subsection
is mostly in MLRA 14 and partly in MLRAs 4 and 15.
Geomorphology. Parallel ranges and valleys on folded, faulted
and metamorphosed strata; rounded crests of subequal height. Coast
Ranges geomorphic province.
Lithology. Cenozoic marine and nonmarine sedimentary rocks
and alluvial deposits, and Mesozoic granitic and ultramafic rocks.
Soil Taxa. Alfisols, Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols,
Ultisols and Vertisols in combination with isomesic, mesic or thermic soil
temperature regimes and xeric, udic, ustic or aquic soil moisture regimes.
Vegetation. Predominant potential natural communities include
the Blue oak series, Purple needlegrass series, Coast live oak series,
Chamise series, Valley oak series, Redwood series, Douglas-fir - tanoak
series and California sagebrush series.
The following series are found throughout the section and are not restricted
to or extensive in any subsection. Series dominated by exotic plants are
not listed under subsections unless they are extensive and stable.
Series dominated by exotic plants: Broom series, California
annual grassland series, Cheatgrass series, Eucalyptus series, Giant reed
series, Iceplant series, Pampas grass series.
Series that can occur in all subsections, but are not extensive:
Beaked sedge series, Black cottonwood series, Bulrush series, Bulrush -
cattail series, Cattail series, California oatgrass series, Creeping ryegrass
series, Duckweed series, Foothill needlegrass series, Mexican elderberry
series, Mosquito fern series, Nodding needlegrass series, One-sided bluegrass
series, Pondweeds with floating leaves series, Pondweeds with submerged
leaves series, Purple needlegrass series, Saltgrass series, Sedge series
and Spikerush series.
Series restricted to riparian settings: Arroyo willow series,
Buttonbush series, California sycamore series, Fremont cottonwood series,
Mixed willow series, Mulefat series, Narrowleaf willow series, Red willow
series, Sitka willow series, White alder series.
Fauna. Mammals include mule deer, bobcat, weasel, fox, skunk,
opossum and ground squirrel. Turkey vultures, hawks, owls, herons,
egrets, flycatchers, swallows and ravens are common birds. Birds
of concern include the brown pelican, lesser tern, osprey, black rail,
clapper rail, marbled murrelet, spotted owl and bank swallow. Reptiles
and amphibians include the western rattlesnake, common and western aquatic
garter snakes, northern and southern alligator lizards and several
species of salamanders and frogs. Marine and shore species include
sea otter, sea lions, seals, brown pelicans, gulls, cormorants, terns and
various shore birds. Introduced species includes small populations
of fallow deer and barbary sheep. Feral hogs are common throughout
large portions of the section.
Elevation. Sea level to 3,800 feet.
Precipitation. 12 to 60 inches.
Temperature. 45 to 60° F. Summer daytime temperatures
often modified by morning fog and sea breezes.
Growing Season. 200 to 300 days.
Surface Water Characteristics. Several slow moving, tide
affected major rivers in alluvial channels terminate in San Francisco
and Monterey Bays. Much of the saltwater marshes on the north and
south ends of San Francisco Bay are converted to salt evaporation ponds.
A few slow moving perennial streams in alluvial or weak bedrock channels
flowing directly to the Pacific Ocean occur in the northern part of the
area. Some fast moving perennial streams in weak bedrock channels
flowing directly to the Pacific Ocean occur in the southern part of the
area. Reservoirs for municipal water supply are common in the northern
part of the section.
Disturbance Regimes.
Fire: Fires are of variable frequency, season and intensity.
Seismic Activity: Seismically active area with strong shaking
and ground rupture.
Land Use. Composition and successional sequence of some plant
communities (especially grassland communities) has changed because of plant
and animal species introduced between the late 1700’s and early 1900’s
related to grazing, agriculture, forestry and urbanization. The northern
part is densely urbanized.
Cultural Ecology. Humans have been utilizing the section for
about 8,000 years, and have been an integral part of central coast ecology
for about 2,000 years, thriving on the diversity of habitats from ocean
and estuary to forest, and intensively gathering numerous resources.
The Spanish established missions throughout the area in the late 1700’s
and early 1800’s introducing agriculture and religious and social changes.
Contemporary attitudes and beliefs are varied. The economy is diverse,
ranging from San Francisco bay area financial and computer industries to
rural agricultural and fishing industries; shipping, tourism and recreation
are important industries.
Subsections. The Central California Coast section is divided
into 12 subsections.
To
obtain information about a particular subsection, click the subsection.
