UCSB IBM
ERP Related Publications Abstracts
Distribution
and Conservation Status of Coastal Sage Scrub in Southwestern California
Frank W. Davis,
Peter A. Stine, and David M. Stoms
A landscape-based
characterization of vegetation has been developed for southwestern
California using satellite imagery, air photos, existing vegetation
maps, and field data. Distribution maps
of nine dominant coastal scrub species and 13 species assemblages
that were identified by divisive information analysis have been analyzed
to quantify spatial patterns of species co-occurrence. Three general
distribution patterns are identified that suggest the Diegan, Venturan
and Riversidian Associations identified by other workers. Vegetation
data have also been related to land ownership and management to assess
the conservation status of upland plant communities. A large proportion
of the mapped distribution of species and vegetation types is on private
land, and several taxa show less than 4% of mapped distribution in
nature reserves. The analysis highlights the need to extend current
conservation planning efforts into the northern part of the region
to encompass areas where Salvia leucophylla is a frequent community
dominant.
|
