Miramar Research Natural Area
Map SatelliteLying wholly within the Miramar Naval Air Station on the east boundary, this area extends from the Fortuna Mountain Field Station northward toward the Elliott Chaparral Reserve.
Within the area there are typical examples of both coastal sage scrub and southern mixed chaparral. Dominant vegetation in the scrub includes California sagebrush, Artemisia californica, buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum, black sage, Salvia mellifera, and white sage, Salvia apiana. In the chaparral, chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum, mission manzanita, Xylococcus bicolor, woolly-leaf ceanothus, Ceanothus tomentosus, scrub oak, Quercus sp., and laurel sumac, Malosma laurina, are among the more conspicuous plants.
Animal life is abundant and typical of the region.
The area consists of low hills with separating canyons containing intermittent streams.
Integrity: Relatively undisturbed, though there are some jeep trails in the area. The area lies within the-air station flight path.
Use: Restricted. Though it has been proposed as a Research Natural Area, no action has been taken.
August 1976
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
