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Santa Lucia Conservancy
26700 Rancho San Carlos Rd.
Carmel, California 93923
tel (831) 626.8595
fax (831) 626.8522 |
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Topography & Geography |
The Santa Lucia Preserve ranges in
elevation from a low of 300 feet to nearly 3,000 feet at the summit
of Halls Ridge. Variations in temperature and rainfall from lower
to higher elevations contribute to the unique and varied habitats and species of the
Santa Lucia Range and the Santa Lucia Preserve. |
| Habitat Types |
| 54 habitat types have been identified
within the Santa Lucia Preserve.
The primary vegetation communities include:
- Oak woodlands and savannas (50%)
- Coastal scrub and chaparral (18%)
- Grasslands (over 16%), including disturbed grasslands and coastal
terrace prairie
- Forest types (over 7%), including redwood forest, mixed evergreen,
and Monterey Pine
- Riparian habitat (1,535 acres; approximately 8% of the total
area)
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| Plant Species |
| 93 families and nearly 600 species
of plants have been identified within the Santa Lucia Preserve. |
| Birds |
| Over 165 species of birds have been
identified within the Santa Lucia Preserve. |
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| Natural History
The unique biological diversity of the Santa Lucia
Preserve is a direct reflection of its geographic location,
and geologic and topographic variation. The lower elevations
and western-most portions of the Preserve benefit more from
the moisture and temperature modulating effects of the Pacific
Ocean. High and low temperature extremes are reached in
the more interior portions of the Preserve. The property
is characterized by a northwest to southeast trending valley
with numerous steep, deeply-cut canyons running perpendicular
to the main valley. This topographic diversity, coupled
with its complex geology and proximity to the Pacific Ocean,
contribute to its biodiversity score card. |
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