Santa Monica Mtns

The Santa Monica Mountains are part of an east-west tending range within southern California’s Transverse Ranges (See Schoenherr 1992 The Natural History of California). The Transverse Ranges form the northern border of the Los Angeles basin and are formed by uplift during the last 3 million years- taking place along a series of faults that are a part of the San Andreas fault system.
Exotic Scotch Broom
The Transverse Ranges are ecologically unique (Schoenherr, 1992, others) in that the side of the range that receives the most precipitation is covered with drought-tolerant vegetation – chaparral. These slopes receive 30-40 inches of precipitation per year but they also receive direct sunlight. On the south-facing slopes evaporation is so high, moisture-loving plants can’t survive – a phenomenon called the slope effect. The rain shadow effect also contributes to the wide range of habitats in these mountains; the effects of these phenomena are accentuated by the Mediterranean climate.

The slope effect is visible as we walk up the canyon. There are clear differences in the land cover. We stop and discuss the density of plants such as Laurel Sumac (see plant list with Latin names), Giant Coreopsis, and Prickly Pear. We traveled through a riparian area and rocky slopes as we hiked the canyon. Our handout to the Santa Monica Mountains lists 11 distinct communities that can be found in the Transverse Ranges. Professor Walter gives us a worksheet that has a list of plants we may see included.

Last updated: April 12, 2004.