Box Springs Reserve

Located near the top of the Box Springs Mountains which lie immediately east of the University of California Riverside campus, the Reserve is in an ecotone between the coastal sage scrub and chaparral plant communities. There is also an intermittent streambed near the north boundary containing some riparian habitat.

The number of animals associated with these plant communities is rather large. Nine species of lizard, including the becoming uncommon coast horned lizard, Phrynosoma coronatum blainvillei, and the orange-throated whiptail lizard, Cnemidophorus hyperythrus, have been recorded on the Reserve, as have nearly 50 species of birds.

The rugged terrain on this Reserve occurs on a coarse-grained, foliated granodiorite, probably dating from the Cretaceous, containing numerous dark linticular inclusions. These have been intruded by younger granitic, aplitic and pegmatitic dikes.

Integrity: A part of the University of California Natural Land and Water Reserves System, the Reserve is virtually undisturbed; however, development has occurred in nearby areas. Due to the proximity to the campus, there are no laboratory or other facilities on the Reserve.

Use: Educational, research, observational. For information contact: Manager, Box Springs Reserve, Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California, 92502.

July 1975