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detailed knowledge about the micro-environments of the region. European colonists have
only had a comparatively short period of time to acquire detailed knowledge of the
ecology and culturally significant uses of local plant and animal communities. Further,
European-descendant communities deposit knowledge with specialists, making floral and
faunal knowledge more difficult to share and appreciate among the landowners and other
resident stakeholders of the County.
Within the designation as a Mediterranean-like climate, according to the Köppen Climate
Classification system, the Los Angeles region represents a dry-summer subtropical zone
with low latitude desert climate in the northeast areas of the county. The region has an
average annual temperature of about 17°C., average coldest monthly temperature of 8°C.,
and about 15% of total precipitation falls during summer months, from April through
September. Precipitation across the County varies according to biomass, altitude, and
other factors. The 2006 (Nov. 2005 - Oct. 2006) County of Los Angeles Department of
Public Works records indicate yearly rainfall totals varying from about 5.6 inches at
Llano to 28 inches at the San Gabriel Dam collection station. Within this macro-
environmental context, the Los Angeles area highways run through of a number of
different micro-environmental vegetational communities. These are summerized
according to the most common vegetation types along each roadway, although there may
be more variation in specific areas.
1) Pacific Coast Highway (SR-001) consists of a Coastal Strand characterized by sea salt
spray and saltwater marshes at about 25meters AMSL. Along the ROW east of SR 001,
Caltrans crews will encounter communities of Sagebrush Scrub, Pinyon-Juniper
Woodland, and small pockets of riparian wetland.

2) Angeles Crest Highway (SR-002) stretches for over 50 miles and increases in
elevation from about 600 - 1550meters AMSL asl (2000 - 5100feet AMSL). In the lower
elevations, Caltrans crews will pass through Coastal Sage Scrub, Southern Oak
Woodland, and Grasslands. At mid-elevations, crews will move through Chaparral and
Foothill Woodlands. As they drive into higher elevations, the plant communities become
dominated by Mixed Evergreen Forests and Pine Forests. At the highest peaks along
Angeles Crest Highway, crews will move through Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, and
even plants common to Subalpine Forests. Toward the most eastern portions of SR-002, a
somewhat drier Creosote Bush Scrub community takes over.
3) Golden State Freeway (I-5) is a highly built environment, with multilane traffic and
concrete shoulders with sound barriers. Few plants are amenable to growth in this
environment, although some plants do grow along freeway exits. In these sections, the
plant communities include Coastal Sage Scrub and Chaparral.

4) Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-014) is similarly a highly built environment, with
multilane traffic, concrete shoulders, and sound barriers. Since Antelope Valley Freeway
does have a few park-n-ride areas, Native collectors could do harvesting on SR-014, but
would encounter healthier plants in more rural areas. The SR-014 plant communities
include Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Creosote Bush Scrub, and small sections of
Joshua Tree Woodland and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland.
5) SR-023 runs through the Santa Monica Mountains, beginning with the southern
section known as Decker Canyon Road in Malibu. Its middle section, Moorpark Freeway

Caltrans D7 Region/Los Angeles County Ethnographic Consultation 10