Morgan Territory Regional Preserve And Vicinity
Map SatelliteThis area includes the Morgan Territory Regional Preserve as well as a much larger ranching area to the west and northwest. Most of the area is in grassland, with exotics predominating.
There is a foothill woodland community which, in the Preserve area, consists almost entirely of blue oak, Quercus douglasii, with an understory of Arctostaphylos manzanita. A mixed broadleaf evergreen forest is present with madrone, Arbutus menziesii, coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, and valley oak, Quercus lobata. Along the canyon bottoms there is a riparian association, with sycamore, Platanus racemosa, the dominant. The rare dwarf flax, Hesperolinon breweri, occurs here.
There is an abundance of animal life.
A number of springs and several intermittent creeks are found in the area.
Geologically, the sedimentary rocks present are of marine origin and date from the Cretaceous and the Eocene.
Integrity: The area is grazed, portions have been cut for firewood, and there are various trails, roads and ranch facilities. The Preserve was established in 1976.
Use: Scientific, educational, observational, present. Some private.
November 1979
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman