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Home/Ecosystems/ Central and Southern California Mixed Evergreen Woodland

Central and Southern California Mixed Evergreen Woodland

EVT 7014
CES206.920GNRTreeConifer
View on NatureServe Explorer
Summary
This system occurs from Monterey, California, south across the outer Central Coast Ranges to crests of Peninsular Ranges. It can occur on metasediments and granitics. In much of this area, conifers are relatively infrequent, Pinus coulteri occurs in scattered stands and Pseudotsuga macrocarpa picks up in Transverse Ranges south to Mexico. Characteristic tree species include Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus agrifolia, Quercus kelloggii, Umbellularia californica, Acer macrophyllum, and Arbutus menziesii. Historic fire frequency was likely higher in this system than in similar systems to the north.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
Occurs from Monterey, California, south across the outer Central Coast Ranges to crests of Peninsular Ranges, and in Transverse Ranges south to Mexico.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Tree canopy

Acer macrophyllum, Arbutus menziesii, Lithocarpus densiflorus, Pinus coulteri, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, Quercus agrifolia, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus kelloggii, Umbellularia californica
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (5)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Mammals (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Brush DeermousePeromyscus boyliiG5

Reptiles (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Ring-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatusG5
Southern Alligator LizardElgaria multicarinataG5

Amphibians (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Arboreal SalamanderAneides lugubrisG5
EnsatinaEnsatina eschscholtziiG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (1)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Pseudotsuga macrocarpa ForestG3 NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (1)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
CASNR
Roadless Areas (68)

Inventoried Roadless Areas where this ecosystem is present, identified from LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type spatial analysis. Coverage indicates the proportion of each area occupied by this ecosystem type.

California (68)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Lpoor CanyonLos Padres National Forest35.7%1,985.4
TequepisLos Padres National Forest32.3%1,187.19
Mill PeakSan Bernardino National Forest32.2%1,026.9
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest30.2%4,991.85
Cucamonga AAngeles National Forest26.6%134.91
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest24.6%994.95
Crystal CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23.1%633.15
Cucamonga CSan Bernardino National Forest22.7%377.28
San SevaineSan Bernardino National Forest22.7%631.08
Cucamonga BSan Bernardino National Forest20.4%985.23
West ForkAngeles National Forest18.0%85.32
Sill HillCleveland National Forest15.8%337.59
White LedgeLos Padres National Forest15.5%1,167.66
Raywood Flat BSan Bernardino National Forest15.4%710.37
Little PineLos Padres National Forest15.1%80.28
Strawberry PeakAngeles National Forest14.5%425.52
ColdwaterCleveland National Forest14.0%477.63
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest14.0%1,495.26
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest13.8%2,908.53
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest13.3%406.08
WestforkAngeles National Forest13.2%234.72
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest12.8%265.05
San DimasAngeles National Forest12.7%368.1
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest12.1%831.96
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest11.6%993.6
Cactus Springs BSan Bernardino National Forest11.3%142.47
Sheep MountainAngeles National Forest10.6%907.83
DiableLos Padres National Forest10.2%812.07
CuyamaLos Padres National Forest10.0%798.3
ManzanaLos Padres National Forest9.7%82.17
Cutca ValleyCleveland National Forest9.3%544.14
LaddCleveland National Forest9.0%193.86
Arroyo SecoAngeles National Forest8.2%155.34
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest7.3%153.27
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest7.2%3,103.92
TrabucoCleveland National Forest6.7%636.12
Pyramid Peak ASan Bernardino National Forest6.5%370.71
Horse Creek RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest6.0%219.33
San Gabriel AddAngeles National Forest6.0%61.56
Condor PointLos Padres National Forest5.9%356.4
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest5.2%299.43
MonoLos Padres National Forest5.2%589.14
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest5.1%149.58
Chalk PeakLos Padres National Forest4.9%147.24
Bear CanyonLos Padres National Forest4.8%280.62
NordhoffLos Padres National Forest4.4%216.63
TuleAngeles National Forest4.3%170.73
Cahuilla MountainSan Bernardino National Forest4.3%119.61
Circle MountainSan Bernardino National Forest4.2%108
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest3.9%67.77
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest3.9%802.35
Bear MountainLos Padres National Forest3.7%13.77
Barker ValleyCleveland National Forest3.6%175.41
Fish CanyonAngeles National Forest3.5%422.28
Heartbreak RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest3.4%61.02
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest3.2%310.5
De La GuerraLos Padres National Forest3.2%69.3
Salt CreekAngeles National Forest3.1%137.88
SugarloafSan Bernardino National Forest2.8%94.41
Red MountainAngeles National Forest2.8%91.53
La BreaLos Padres National Forest2.8%158.58
JuncalLos Padres National Forest2.6%126.9
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest2.2%74.07
No NameCleveland National Forest2.2%43.65
CalienteCleveland National Forest1.6%39.51
Mirada PimeLos Padres National Forest1.4%77.22
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest1.3%81.45
Hixon FlatSan Bernardino National Forest0.9%29.61
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.