greater-california.bioregion

the greater california bioregion spans mediterranean chaparral, montane forests, and coastal woodlands that regulate regional climate, stabilize soils, and maintain water security across one of north america’s most biodiverse landscapes. the greater california bioregion, covering roughly 23 million hectares, includes mediterranean chaparral, montane conifer forests, central valley grasslands, and coastal sage systems that support water regulation, carbon storage, and pollination flows. extending from the pacific coast through the coastal ranges and across the central valley to the sierra nevada, it contains six ecoregions with strong elevational and climatic gradients. these ecosystems anchor place-based ensurance by supporting natural assets and the people who steward them, linking coastal watersheds, interior valleys, and alpine headwaters across california’s most ecologically distinct terrain. points of interest: sierra nevada, central valley, pacific coast, san joaquin river, sacramento river, coast ranges, lake tahoe, yosemite valley, mojave fringe, kings canyon, big sur coast. cities & towns: los angeles, sacramento, fresno, san jose, santa barbara, monterey, bakersfield, redding, stockton. species: coast live oak, valley oak, giant sequoia, california condor, mountain lion, mule deer, steelhead trout, yellow-billed magpie, black bear, bobcat, california newt. LICENSE: bioregional classification derived from One Earth Bioregions / Global Safety Net (GSN), built on RESOLVE Ecoregions 2017 (CC BY 4.0).the greater california bioregion spans mediterranean chaparral, montane forests, and coastal woodlands that regulate regional climate, stabilize soils, and maintain water security across one of north america’s most biodiverse landscapes.