Browse Map

Explore away

Explore Map Collection

Check out our basemaps

Print a Map Plus

Generate a high-quality PDF

Field Guide

Discover local flora, fauna, geology, and more

Local Flora & Fauna

Learn the ecology of your area

Local Geology

Learn the geologic formation at your feet

Get Started or Sign In

Welcome

Continue with Apple

Already have an account? Sign In

Measure

You must upgrade to measure routes

Start Free Trial

0 ft

Max 0 ft

Topo

Ecoregions

Public Lands

...

BASEMAPS

Default Weather

Temperature

Smoke

...

WEATHER

Southern California Lower Montane Shrub and Woodland

Ecoregion in CA

Print Map

Generate High-Quality PDF

The Southern California Lower Montane Shrub and Woodland ecoregion occurs on the igneous-dominated mountains of the eastern Transverse Range and the Peninsular Ranges at elevations ranging from about 3,000 to 5,000 feet. The chaparral-dominated landscape also contains patches of mixed evergreen woodland consisting mostly of bigcone Douglas-fir and canyon live oak. These fragmented, compact groves typically occur in deep canyons and on steep north-facing slopes. Some minor areas of coastal sage scrub occur near the lower margins, although most of that scrub occurs at lower elevations in Ecoregions 85c and 85f. The mosaic of land cover and vegetation communities is complex in the Peninsular Ranges. Certain chaparral shrubs in the Peninsular Ranges, such as mission manzanita and red shank, have limited ranges in southern California and Baja California. Other shrubs, such as California buckwheat, are ubiquitous.

— EPA

Plants

Southern California Lower Montane Shrub and Woodland

Classified As