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Ecoregions

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Monterey Bay Plains and Terraces

Ecoregion in Coast Ranges, CA

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The coastal Monterey Bay Plains and Terraces ecoregion occurs on alluvial plains and terraces that wrap around Monterey Bay. The marine-influenced climate of Ecoregion 6w makes it cooler than the Salinas Valley ecoregion (6af) that stretches inland to the southeast, and Ecoregion 6w has higher annual precipitation. Elevations range from sea level to about 400 feet. Quaternary marine and non-marine deposits and terraces occur. There are recent dunes along the western side of Monterey Bay, and stabilized dune sand is extensive on the southeastern side of the bay. Soil temperature regimes are isomesic near the ocean and thermic inland. Soil moisture regimes are mostly xeric but some are aquic on floodplains. Soluble salts accumulate in some soils near the ocean. Coast live oak and California oatgrass occur on the plains. Dunes support some herbaceous communities with coastal scrub and sage on stabilized dunes in the southeast. Pickleweed occurs in estuaries. Summer fog is common. There is a long frost-free period that helps support cropland agriculture including artichokes, strawberries, and lettuce.

— EPA

French Broom Genista monspessulana (species)

1,371 Observations

Endocladia muricata SPECIES

668 Observations

Neorhodomela larix SPECIES

649 Observations

Mazzaella affinis SPECIES

643 Observations

Purple Pampas Grass Cortaderia jubata (species)

557 Observations

California Sea Lion Zalophus californianus (species), “Californian Sea Lion”

191 Observations

Harbor Seal Phoca vitulina (species), “Common Seal”, “Harbour Seal”

110 Observations

Pseudacris sierra SPECIES

91 Observations

Western Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis (species), “Blue-Belly”

82 Observations

California Ground Squirrel Otospermophilus beecheyi (species)

66 Observations

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos (species)

109,239 Observations

Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans (species)

97,852 Observations

House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus (species), “Mexican House Finch”

91,575 Observations

California Scrub Jay Aphelocoma californica (species), “Western Scrub-Jay”

88,611 Observations

Western Gull Larus occidentalis (species)

88,415 Observations

Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus (species), “Monarch”, “Milkweed”, “Common Tiger”, “Wanderer”, “Black Veined Brown”, “Common Tiger Wanderer”

88 Observations

Hydriomena nubilofasciata SPECIES · “Oak Winter Highflier”

34 Observations

Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera (species), “Honey Bee”

32 Observations

Sabulodes aegrotata SPECIES

27 Observations

Archips argyrospila SPECIES · “Fruit-Tree Leafroller Moth”

27 Observations

Ramalina leptocarpha SPECIES · “Cartilage Lichen”, “Western Strap Lichen”, “&Nbsp”

22 Observations

Omphalotus olivascens SPECIES

20 Observations

Annulohypoxylon thouarsianum SPECIES

13 Observations

Sclerotinia borealis SPECIES

13 Observations

Amanita velosa SPECIES

Taxonomy

Classified As

Monterey Bay Plains and Terraces

Monterey Bay Plains and Terraces

Monterey Bay Plains and Terraces