The terrestrial ecosystems at Cabrillo National Monument, Channel Islands National Park, and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area include a diverse vegetation community characteristic of the Mediterranean biome - evergreen or drought deciduous shrublands, namely chaparral and coastal sage scrub. In addition, due to the limited extent and isolation of the Mediterranean biome, a high degree of endemism can be found in the vegetative community. Typical of Mediterranean biome, though, much of the native vegetative communities have been greatly altered by people. Science and resource management activities involving terrestrial plants focus on obtaining baseline data as well as the conservation challenges facing the plant community in this region. For example, at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a highly detailed vegetation map with extensive vegetation sampling data will soon be completed that will provide additional baseline information for scientists. In addition, studies are being conducted to get a better understanding of the ecological requirements of rare plants, mosses, and lichens. At Cabrillo National Monument, Channel Islands National Park, and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, work is underway to identify and evaluate non-native and invasive plant species, their mode of establishment, rate of spread, and ecological impact on native species. Ultimately, the goals are that scientific information will be used to guide park planning and management decisions.

^IN biological inventory project
^VS ecosystem vital sign monitoring project