Floristic Analysis of Vegetation Communities on Isla de Cedros, Baja California, Mexico

Abstract

Isla de Cedros lies within an arid climatic region and supports a diversity of vegetation community associations. These range from sarcocaulescent desert, made up of succulent-stem trees and shrubs, to coastal sage scrub, chaparral and maritime pine forest typical of southern and central Alta California. Previous published discussions of the vegetation on Isla de Cedros addressed individual species or were general in nature. The availability of black and white aerial photographs presented an opportunity to analyze the distribution of vegetation in detail. Floristic descriptions of 18 vegetation communities were created from field observations on Isla de Cedros. These communities were mapped utilizing aerial photographs. The distribution and species composition of these vegetation associations is dependent upon the island's topographic diversity, climate and bio-geographic factors.