Regeneration in Quercus lobata Savannas, Santa Lucia Mountains, California

Abstract

Geographic distribution and vegetational affinities of Quercus lobata communities in the Santa Lucia Mountains of central coastal California are discussed. In eight localities representing different physiographic types of oak savanna, size-class distributions and successional trends were studied. Few Q. lo-bata seedlings or sapling were found. Some higher-elevation savannas are being invaded by Pinus coulteri, P. ponderosa, Quercus chrysolepis and Q. wislizenii. Low fire frequency may be part of the cause of this conversion of deciduous oak savanna to pine and sclerophyll forest. Detailed observations on Q. lobata regeneration were made at one ungrazed locality. Despite heavy predation on acorns, Q. lobata seedlings do start in this area, but under present deerand rodent-browsing conditions seedlings do not become saplings.