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California Chaparral

EVT 7105Northern and Central California Dry-Mesic Chaparral
CES206.931GNRShrubShrubland
View on NatureServe Explorer
Summary
This ecological system includes chaparral typically located inland from maritime chaparral up to 1500 m (4550 feet) elevation in central and northern California through the northern end of the Central Valley and north into Oregon. This system includes extensive areas on coarse-grained soils with annual precipitation up to 75 cm (winter rain but not snow). Adjacent fine-textured soils support savanna under similar climatic regimes. These areas have supported extensive stand-replacing wildfires. This system is made up of a mixture of mostly obligate seeders. Characteristic species include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus cuneatus, Arctostaphylos viscida, Arctostaphylos manzanita, Arctostaphylos glauca, Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Arctostaphylos stanfordiana, Fremontodendron californicum, Malacothamnus fasciculatus, Dendromecon rigida, and Pickeringia montana. Common shrubs in Oregon include Arctostaphylos viscida, Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber, and Ceanothus cordulatus. Fire regimes are intense, stand-replacing crown fires. Scattered and young trees may occur, such as Pinus ponderosa, Pinus sabiniana, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Quercus wislizeni.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Vegetation
This system is made up of a mixture of mostly obligate seeders. Characteristic species include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus cuneatus, Arctostaphylos viscida, Arctostaphylos manzanita, Arctostaphylos glauca, Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Arctostaphylos stanfordiana, Fremontodendron californicum, Malacothamnus fasciculatus, Dendromecon rigida, and Pickeringia montana. Common shrubs in Oregon include Arctostaphylos viscida, Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber, and Ceanothus cordulatus. Scattered and young trees may occur, such as Pinus ponderosa, Pinus sabiniana, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Quercus wislizeni.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Environment
This chaparral occurs inland of coastal chaparral and up to 1500 m (4550 feet) elevation in central and northern California through the northern end of the Central Valley and north into Oregon. This system includes extensive areas on coarse-grained soils with annual precipitation up to 75 cm (winter rain but not snow).
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Dynamics
Fire regimes are intense, stand-replacing crown fires.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system is located inland from maritime chaparral up to 1500 m (4550 feet) elevation in central and northern California, and southwestern Oregon, through the north end of the California Central Valley.
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

Pinus ponderosa, Pinus sabiniana, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus wislizeni

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Arctostaphylos glauca, Arctostaphylos manzanita, Arctostaphylos stanfordiana, Arctostaphylos viscida, Ceanothus cordulatus, Ceanothus cuneatus, Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber, Dendromecon rigida, Fremontodendron californicum, Pickeringia montana

Short shrub/sapling

Malacothamnus fasciculatus

Herb (field)

Fritillaria gentneri, Limnanthes floccosa ssp. bellingeriana, Plagiobothrys figuratus ssp. corallicarpus
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (1)

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.

Birds (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
WrentitChamaea fasciataG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (4)

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
Stanford's ManzanitaArctostaphylos stanfordianaG3--
Gentner's FritillaryFritillaria gentneriG2Endangered
Bellinger's MeadowfoamLimnanthes floccosa ssp. bellingerianaG4T3--
Coral-seeded AllocaryaPlagiobothrys figuratus ssp. corallicarpusG4T1T2--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (9)

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
Adenostoma fasciculatum - (Arctostaphylos glandulosa - Ceanothus jepsonii) ShrublandG2 NatureServe
Adenostoma fasciculatum - Arctostaphylos glandulosa - Quercus wislizeni ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Adenostoma fasciculatum - Ceanothus cuneatus Chaparral ShrublandG4 NatureServe
Adenostoma fasciculatum - Diplacus aurantiacus ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Adenostoma fasciculatum Sierran Chaparral ShrublandG5 NatureServe
Arctostaphylos glauca ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Arctostaphylos viscida Sierran Chaparral ShrublandG5 NatureServe
Ceanothus cuneatus ShrublandG4 NatureServe
Quercus (parvula, wislizeni) - Arctostaphylos glandulosa 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 (143)

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 (132)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
La PanzaLos Padres National Forest82.0%1,644.21
GrindstoneMendocino National Forest81.9%8,628.3
Reister CanyonMendocino National Forest79.7%1,903.05
Deer MountainMendocino National Forest79.4%3,762.45
Black MountainLos Padres National Forest77.9%5,298.3
BriscoeMendocino National Forest74.1%2,163.06
Bear CanyonLos Padres National Forest70.4%4,083.75
Garcia MountainLos Padres National Forest70.2%2,229.93
Horseshoe SpringsLos Padres National Forest68.5%3,904.56
Big RocksLos Padres National Forest66.7%3,203.82
Machesna MountainLos Padres National Forest66.0%3,277.44
Los Machos HillsLos Padres National Forest65.3%2,937.42
Mirada PimeLos Padres National Forest64.6%3,474.9
Stanley MountainLos Padres National Forest63.2%3,754.44
Chalk PeakLos Padres National Forest60.0%1,816.29
West BeegumShasta-Trinity National Forest57.8%1,215.36
Trumbull PeakStanislaus National Forest56.0%1,396.8
ScodiesSequoia National Forest54.4%159.93
Skeleton GladeMendocino National Forest54.3%2,028.15
Thomes CreekMendocino National Forest53.6%3,602.79
De La GuerraLos Padres National Forest51.3%1,123.65
Snow MountainMendocino National Forest49.5%2,896.56
Ferguson RidgeSierra National Forest47.8%1,180.08
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest47.7%2,498.04
Tepusquet PeakLos Padres National Forest46.4%1,093.86
Bald RockPlumas National Forest45.6%863.01
East BeegumShasta-Trinity National Forest45.3%1,544.94
North MountainStanislaus National Forest44.7%1,421.73
IshiLassen National Forest44.5%3,923.46
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest44.2%916.29
La BreaLos Padres National Forest42.8%2,430.54
WoolstaffSequoia National Forest42.5%7,135.83
Tuolumne RiverStanislaus National Forest42.0%2,929.32
Kings RiverSierra National Forest42.0%9,003.42
ChicoSequoia National Forest39.6%6,390.81
Bear MountainLos Padres National Forest38.6%142.74
Black ButteMendocino National Forest38.2%2,388.15
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest38.2%1,779.75
RubiconEldorado National Forest38.0%748.26
Devil GulchSierra National Forest37.5%4,623.21
Lpoor CanyonLos Padres National Forest36.6%2,039.13
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest35.0%7,378.02
LavaLassen National Forest34.0%823.14
ChannellSequoia National Forest33.7%6,203.61
UnderwoodShasta-Trinity National Forest31.4%386.55
MonarchSierra National Forest29.9%84.24
Salt CreekSix Rivers National Forest27.5%1,057.77
China Springs AShasta-Trinity National Forest27.2%2.79
Elk CreekMendocino National Forest27.1%2,540.07
North Fork Middle Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest26.6%1,212.03
PantherShasta-Trinity National Forest26.2%1,276.47
ThatcherMendocino National Forest25.7%1,731.15
BackboneShasta-Trinity National Forest24.5%1,137.15
Oat Mtn.Sequoia National Forest24.3%1,202.04
Cow CreekSix Rivers National Forest24.0%123.66
Lion RidgeSequoia National Forest22.5%479.52
Dennison PeakSequoia National Forest22.2%566.55
Greenhorn CreekSequoia National Forest21.5%2,454.84
SoliderSix Rivers National Forest21.1%1,275.48
Big Butte ShinboneSix Rivers National Forest20.9%93.15
RinconSequoia National Forest20.8%4,587.39
AgnewSequoia National Forest20.4%788.67
PattisonShasta-Trinity National Forest20.1%2,383.74
Cow CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest20.0%1,831.5
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest20.0%2,234.61
Sycamore SpringsSierra National Forest19.1%775.53
Black Mtn.Sequoia National Forest18.6%1,136.43
MosesSequoia National Forest18.4%1,641.87
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest17.7%293.4
Polk SpringsLassen National Forest16.9%649.26
Salt GulchShasta-Trinity National Forest16.9%444.42
Redcap Addition Rare ISix Rivers National Forest16.6%32.85
Penney RidgeShasta-Trinity National Forest15.7%331.02
Slate CreekShasta-Trinity National Forest15.4%414
ChanchelullaShasta-Trinity National Forest15.3%242.37
South SierraInyo National Forest14.6%2,477.79
Cherry LakeStanislaus National Forest13.9%62.19
CuyamaLos Padres National Forest12.9%1,020.87
Big Butte ShinboneMendocino National Forest12.5%215.19
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest12.4%2,053.98
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest12.4%1,465.65
EagleShasta-Trinity National Forest11.9%315.09
PortugueseKlamath National Forest11.7%898.11
QuatalLos Padres National Forest11.4%334.62
Ukonom CreekKlamath National Forest11.0%205.11
Salt SpringsEldorado National Forest10.9%5.85
Wells MountainShasta-Trinity National Forest10.1%241.56
Fisher Gulch BShasta-Trinity National Forest9.7%187.74
JohnsonKlamath National Forest9.3%399.6
China Springs BShasta-Trinity National Forest8.1%18.63
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest7.7%21.15
Big CanyonModoc National Forest6.9%183.87
Monkey CreekSix Rivers National Forest6.8%246.6
Mill CreekLassen National Forest6.6%203.31
Tom MartinKlamath National Forest6.6%239.67
UnderwoodSix Rivers National Forest6.0%158.76
ManzanaLos Padres National Forest5.9%50.4
GriderKlamath National Forest5.3%228.06
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest5.1%439.92
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest5.1%169.29
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest5.0%1,101.06
Domeland Add.Sequoia National Forest5.0%61.92
ButtermilkInyo National Forest4.5%9.9
Orleans Mtn.Klamath National Forest4.5%893.43
KangarooKlamath National Forest4.4%722.88
South SierraSequoia National Forest4.1%134.28
KelseyKlamath National Forest4.0%52.56
North Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest4.0%617.58
BlackKlamath National Forest3.9%103.23
MonoLos Padres National Forest3.2%368.19
SnoozerKlamath National Forest3.2%300.96
Bell QuinbyShasta-Trinity National Forest3.0%141.03
South ForkShasta-Trinity National Forest3.0%204.48
Chips CreekLassen National Forest2.8%333.81
West GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest2.7%409.41
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest2.6%178.92
ChinquapinShasta-Trinity National Forest2.4%215.01
West YubaPlumas National Forest2.4%58.14
North Fork SmithSix Rivers National Forest2.3%345.6
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest1.9%108.63
East GirardShasta-Trinity National Forest1.5%171.99
RussianKlamath National Forest1.5%133.92
Slate Mtn.Sequoia National Forest1.4%70.47
Indian CreekKlamath National Forest1.4%28.71
Orleans Mtn. CSix Rivers National Forest1.4%88.29
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest1.4%286.56
DiableLos Padres National Forest1.4%109.26
Grizzly PeakPlumas National Forest1.1%27.27
ShuteyeSierra National Forest1.1%31.77
Pilot CreekSix Rivers National Forest1.0%36.63
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest0.8%40.86
Carson - IcebergStanislaus National Forest0.6%132.84

Nevada (1)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Jobs Peak (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2.3%12.24

Oregon (10)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Takelma CreekSiskiyou National Forests46.8%4.59
North Fork SmithSiskiyou National Forests38.3%142.02
Nihwik MountainSiskiyou National Forests21.0%670.77
Kalmiopsis AdditionSiskiyou National Forests15.0%79.11
North KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests13.6%5,040.72
Windy ValleySiskiyou National Forests13.3%534.87
South KalmiopsisSiskiyou National Forests11.4%4,833
Little GraybackRogue River National Forests10.3%332.73
BriggsSiskiyou National Forests6.6%157.68
KinneyRogue River National Forests6.2%187.56
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.