Niles Canyon
Map SatelliteNiles Canyon is a relatively steep-sided canyon 8 kilometers (5 miles) long, formed by Alameda Creek. Only the southern slope, from the crest to the canyon bottom, is included in this area.
Much of this area is an oak woodland, with coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, the dominant. The California buckeye, Aesculus californica, is a component of the woodland, as is the California bay, Umbellularia californica, in the moister sections. At the eastern end of the canyon there is a dense woodland with valley oak, Quercus lobata, madrone, Arbutus menziesii, and big-leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum.
The crests and upper portions of parts of the slopes support a grassland with various exotics. On the dry, rocky, south-facing slopes, California sagebrush, Artemisia californica, is dominant.
Along the creek there is a riparian association which includes big-leaf maple, cottonwood, Populus fremontii, black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, willow, Salix spp., white alder, Alnus rhombifolia, sycamore, Platanus racemosa, and the California black walnut, Juglans hindsii. Typha spp. and Scirpus spp. are present. The creek is usually perennial, as it is fed for groundwater recharge.
Most of the area is underlain by Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks of the Niles Canyon Formation.
Integrity: There are numerous buildings, a railroad and highway on the canyon floor, and the grasslands are overgrazed; however, the woodland is in good condition.
Use: Present
March 1980
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
