Roadless Areas
Home/Ecosystems/ Northern California Coastal Scrub

Northern California Coastal Scrub

EVT 7092Southern California Coastal Scrub
CES206.932GNRShrubShrubland
View on NatureServe Explorer
Summary
This ecological system includes a variety of mixed and single-species-dominated shrublands along a narrow coastal strip with maritime and summer fog influences, on marine sediments, coastal bluffs, terraces, stabilized dunes, and hills below 500 m (1500 feet) elevation from southern Oregon south through central California. It is restricted to coastal plateaus and lower slopes of the Coast Ranges where precipitation ranges from 50-200 cm annually. These are dominated by evergreen, microphyllous-leaved or hemi-sclerophyllous shrub taxa; drought-deciduous species are unimportant or absent in this system. Dense shrublands typically include a well-developed woody and herbaceous understory. Characteristic species include Baccharis pilularis, Lupinus arboreus, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Eriophyllum stoechadifolium, Diplacus aurantiacus, Toxicodendron diversilobum, Rubus ursinus, Rubus parviflorus, Rubus spectabilis, Frangula californica, Holodiscus discolor, Gaultheria shallon, Heracleum maximum, and Polystichum munitum. These areas have supported extensive stand-replacing wildfires. This system has direct seral relationships with California Northern Coastal Grassland (CES206.941) as, in the absence of fire and grazing, the grassland will usually succeed to this system. In the absence of fire in this system, conifers (Abies grandis, Pseudotsuga menziesii) can invade and become prominent.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Vegetation
This system is dominated by evergreen, microphyllous-leaved or hemi-sclerophyllous shrub taxa; drought-deciduous species are unimportant or absent. Dense shrublands typically include a well-developed woody and herbaceous understory. Characteristic species include Baccharis pilularis, Lupinus arboreus, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Eriophyllum stoechadifolium, Diplacus aurantiacus (= Mimulus aurantiacus), Toxicodendron diversilobum, Rubus ursinus, Rubus parviflorus, Rubus spectabilis, Frangula californica (= Rhamnus californica), Holodiscus discolor, Gaultheria shallon, Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), and Polystichum munitum.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system occurs along a narrow coastal strip below 500 m (1500 feet) elevation from southern Oregon south through central California.
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

Abies grandis, Pseudotsuga menziesii

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Artemisia californica, Baccharis pilularis, Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Diplacus aurantiacus, Frangula californica ssp. californica, Holodiscus discolor, Rubus parviflorus, Rubus spectabilis, Rubus ursinus

Short shrub/sapling

Eriophyllum staechadifolium, Gaultheria shallon, Lupinus arboreus

Herb (field)

Castilleja mendocinensis, Heracleum maximum, Hesperevax sparsiflora var. brevifolia, Lasthenia macrantha ssp. macrantha, Oenothera wolfii, Phacelia argentea, Polystichum munitum, Toxicodendron diversilobum
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (3)

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.

Reptiles (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
GophersnakePituophis cateniferG5

Butterflies & Moths (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Hoary ElfinCallophrys polios maritimaG5T1
Coastal Greenish BlueIcaricia saepiolus littoralisG5T1T2
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (9)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common NameScientific NameG-RankESA Status
Hoary ElfinCallophrys polios maritimaG5T1--
Mendocino Coast Indian-paintbrushCastilleja mendocinensisG2--
Seaside Woolly-sunflowerEriophyllum staechadifoliumG3G4--
Seaside EvaxHesperevax sparsiflora var. brevifoliaG4T3--
Coastal Greenish BlueIcaricia saepiolus littoralisG5T1T2--
Perennial GoldfieldsLasthenia macrantha ssp. macranthaG3T2--
Tree LupineLupinus arboreusG3G4--
Wolf's Evening-primroseOenothera wolfiiG2--
Silvery PhaceliaPhacelia argenteaG2Threatened
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (18)

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
Baccharis pilularis / Annual Grass-Herb ShrublandG5 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis - Artemisia californica ShrublandG5 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis / Carex obnupta - Juncus patens ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis - Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis / Danthonia californica ShrublandG2 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis / Deschampsia cespitosa ShrublandG2 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis / Dudleya farinosa ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis - Eriophyllum stoechadifolium ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis - (Frangula californica) - Rubus spp. ShrublandG2 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis - Holodiscus discolor ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis - Lupinus (arboreus, chamissonis) ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis / Nassella pulchra ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis - Rubus ursinus / Weedy Herbs ShrublandG5 NatureServe
Baccharis pilularis - Toxicodendron diversilobum ShrublandG5 NatureServe
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus - Baccharis pilularis - Toxicodendron diversilobum ShrublandG4 NatureServe
Frangula californica ssp. californica - Baccharis pilularis / Scrophularia californica ShrublandG4 NatureServe
Rubus spectabilis Wet ShrublandG4 NatureServe
Toxicodendron diversilobum - (Baccharis pilularis) ShrublandG3 NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (2)

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
ORSNR
Roadless Areas (46)

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 (46)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest23.8%4,949.01
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest18.6%33.75
Heartbreak RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest17.9%322.02
Eagle PeakCleveland National Forest16.3%426.87
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest15.7%1,512.99
QuatalLos Padres National Forest15.6%457.11
Pyramid Peak ASan Bernardino National Forest14.3%822.78
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest13.6%852.93
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest8.8%151.74
TuleAngeles National Forest8.6%343.89
CuyamaLos Padres National Forest8.0%636.93
WildhorseCleveland National Forest7.7%46.17
Condor PointLos Padres National Forest7.6%455.58
CalienteCleveland National Forest7.5%180.45
Sespe - FrazierLos Padres National Forest7.2%3,120.75
ColdwaterCleveland National Forest6.4%219.06
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest5.1%168.66
LaddCleveland National Forest5.0%107.46
Rouse HillSan Bernardino National Forest4.8%265.95
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest4.1%432.99
La BreaLos Padres National Forest3.9%223.38
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest3.6%204.75
TrabucoCleveland National Forest3.5%329.31
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest3.4%717.57
Little PineLos Padres National Forest3.3%17.37
Red MountainAngeles National Forest3.2%104.94
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest3.2%93.06
Bear MountainLos Padres National Forest3.1%11.52
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest3.0%256.59
Salt CreekAngeles National Forest2.8%124.92
Fish CanyonAngeles National Forest2.7%331.92
NordhoffLos Padres National Forest2.7%130.32
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest2.2%368.01
Horse Creek RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest2.2%80.37
MonoLos Padres National Forest2.1%239.67
De La GuerraLos Padres National Forest1.9%42.3
Tepusquet PeakLos Padres National Forest1.9%44.46
Horseshoe SpringsLos Padres National Forest1.8%105.12
Stanley MountainLos Padres National Forest1.8%105.57
Cactus Springs BSan Bernardino National Forest1.8%22.14
Circle MountainSan Bernardino National Forest1.6%41.4
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest1.6%107.73
Chalk PeakLos Padres National Forest1.6%46.89
No NameCleveland National Forest1.4%28.62
Cutca ValleyCleveland National Forest1.2%72.36
DiableLos Padres National Forest0.8%66.96
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.