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Map Satellite This reserve, located in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains, is a mosaic of plant communities in a relatively undisturbed condition. The mixed evergreen forest, occurring primarily on the north slopes, is the most extensive community. It is dominated by hardwoods, particularly oaks of which six species are found here. There are few conifers. On the ridge tops and southern aspects there is the foothill woodland, open with a well-developed herbaceous cover between and under the trees. These woodlands or savanna stands often form transitions between the oak-madrone forest and the grasslands.
The grasslands, which are usually in openings in the savanna, contain a number of native species, with Nassella pulchra widely distributed. Chaparral, primarily Adenostoma fasciculatum, dominates the southern aspects, particularly in the shallow soils. Streamside communities are poorly developed on the reserve. Though the streams are intermittent, one has pools during the driest season and supports some marsh species. A total of 465 native vascular plants has been collected on the reserve, as have 82 species of mosses, 16 liverworts, and 160 lichens.
There is a wide variety of animal species, both resident and migratory. Over 100 species of birds have been observed here, 48 of them resident.
The Reservation contains a variety of edaphic conditions. There are small outcrops of pre-Cretaceous schists; however, Mesozoic granitics are the most common rock type, forming sandy loams with clay loam horizons in deeper profiles. A belt of lower Miocene marine sediments crosses the Reserve, forming sand and sandy loam soils. Above this loosely consolidated sandstone lies a small Miocene andesitic lava flow with shallow, rocky clay loam and clay soils. Minor areas of middle Miocene shale also form clay soils. Pleistocene terraces of sandy, mixed alluvium fill the canyon bottoms.
Indian artifacts have been found at several localities on the Reservation.
Integrity: This Reservation is included in the University of California Natural Land and Water Reserves System. Portions of the area have been cultivated before 1937 but most of the Reserve has had no other disturbance than grazing, which peaked around 1900. Development includes several buildings for offices, residences, laboratory, classroom and library facilities.
Use: Research and education.
Ref: Contact Reservation Manager for plant list and bibliography.
February 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
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