Scow Canyon And Vicinity
Map SatelliteScow Canyon provides excellent examples of a mixed broadleaf evergreen forest and coastal scrub communities. The scrub tends to be restricted to the steep northwest-facing slopes with relatively shallow soil, while the forest appears on the more northerly-facing slopes.
Typical species found in the forest include coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, California bay, Umbellularia californica, California buckeye, Aesculus californica, madrone, Arbutus menziesii, and, in the moist areas, big-leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum, together with willow, Salix sp.
Elements of the scrub community include coyote brush, Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea, bush monkey-flower, Mimulus aurantiacus, coffeeberry, Rhamnus californica, and elderberry, Sambucus sp. There is some grassland.
Animal life is typical and abundant. Waterfowl are occasionally sighted on the northeast arm of San Pablo Reservoir, which lies within the area.
A variety of geological formations is found here, including three of the Miocene marine sedimentary Monterey group, Hambre and Rodeo sandstone, and Tice shale, the latter being fossiliferous. Upper Miocene Briones sandstone is also present. There are fault traces.
Integrity: The area is virtually undisturbed.
Use: Research
March 1980
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
