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Plant Communities of Napa County
Forests, Woodlands and Shrublands
Forests, woodlands and shrublands cover over 300,000 acres of our watershed lands, about two thirds of the county. Of this, about 70% is forests and woodlands and about 30% is shrublands.
These communities include the cool and shady mixed evergreen forests (Douglas Fir, Madrone, and Black Oak) in the Mayacamas Mountains and oak woodlands (Blue Oak) and chaparral (Chamise and Manzanita) on Howell Mountain. These communities support many species of plants that are unique to Napa County such as Napa Ceanothus and Napa Lomatium.
The forests, woodlands, and shrublands in Napa County contain a diversity of plant assemblages that vary depending on topography, climate, and soil characteristics. For example, conifer forests, comprised of Douglas Fir and Coast Redwood, can be found in high, wet areas. Broad-leafed woodlands and shrublands (also called chaparral) are primarily found in the broader, dry areas of the county, particularly on the south slopes of mountain ranges and in the mountains along the county's eastern boundary.
Forests, woodlands, and shrublands are critically important to maintaining a healthy watershed. These areas provide important watershed functions. They not only provide critical biological habitat, they also act as a groundwater recharge zone for the watershed and are thus critical for sustaining groundwater resources. By recharging groundwater, they help sustain summer stream flows and reduce downstream flooding risks. They also help protect water quality by filtering sediments and controlling erosion.
Source: Napa County Resource Conservation District
Photo: Kelly Gin
