Peninsular Juniper Woodland and Scrub

Background

Description and distribution  Description and distribution. This is a somewhat dense woodland dominated by California juniper (Juniperus californica) rather than pinyon pine. Litter layers are restricted to directly beneath tree driplines. Other species include turbinella oak (Quercus turbinella), Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera), beargrass or nolina (Nolina parryi), Four-leaf pinyon (Pinus quadrifolia), and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata). In the Plan area, this community occurs on the desert slopes of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains at elevations between 3,500' and 5,500'. There are approximately 37,545 acres of peninsular juniper woodland and scrub, of which 85% currently occurs on public land or private conservation land. Associated covered species. The species associated with this community are the desert tortoise, gray vireo, and the Peninsular bighorn sheep.