Natural Features & Ecosystems

California's diversity of natural features attracts a variety of plants and animals.

California enjoys one of the most diverse assemblages of land forms, vegetation types, and ecosystems in the world. There is more climatic and topographic variation in California than in any other region of comparable size in the United States. This variation has contributed to a remarkable diversity of natural features and ecosystems found at Point Reyes National Seashore, located within California.

Point Reyes National Seashore is blanketed with subtle natural features nestled over a variety of ecosystems. The overriding natural feature is the presence of the San Andreas Fault, which separates the geologic peninsula from the rest of the California mainland. Two of the area's larger streams flow along the length of the valley formed, in part, by the San Andreas Fault. These, and other smaller streams in the park, along with lakes, ponds, and lagoons provide important habitat for diverse species of life. The remaining sides of the peninsula are intermittently edged by beaches and sand dunes, sea cliffs, and intertidal zones bordering the Pacific Ocean. Encircled by this rich assemblage is a mosaic of ecosystems arranged by factors such as geologic foundation, climate, and exposure. While there are dozens of ways to classify and name the exact type of ecosystem, such as forest or grassland, the broadest and closest category places Point Reyes National Seashore into a Mediterranean Ecosystem.

The Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve represents a highly diverse complex of terrestrial, coastal, and marine environments, including Point Reyes National Seashore. The reserve is complimented by a rich cultural history with lands and waters in Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties.

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  Faults

  The San Andreas Fault is the current boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. Point Reyes is on the Pacific Plate.

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  Forests

  The forests of Point Reyes are determined by many factors, including the geologic formations in which the trees and plants sink their roots.

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  Intertidal and Subtidal Zones

  The intertidal zone is where the land submerges under the ocean & the tidal zones begin. It is a fascinating place to explore & appreciate.

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  Lakes, Ponds, and Lagoons

  Learn about some of the lakes, ponds, and lagoons that may be found at Point Reyes.

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  Pacific Ocean

  The Point Reyes Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean.

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  Prairies and Grasslands

  The northern coastal prairie is the most diverse type of grassland in North America. Pristine patches of this vegetation grow at Pt. Reyes.

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  Rivers and Streams

  On their way to the Pacific ocean, the streams of Point Reyes link the crests of coastal ridges and hills to estuaries and wetlands.

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  Sand Dunes

  Point Reyes National Seashore preserves some of the last remaining high-quality coastal dune habitat in the United States.

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  Wetlands and Marshes

  Wetlands play an important role in the health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

 

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