Atlas of the Biodiversity of California

The California Department of Fish and Game has published the Atlas of Biodiversity of California, which examines biodiversity on a statewide level and provides a summary of the best available information about species, habitats, and vegetation types. These two maps are examples from the atlas.

Mojave Desert Vegetation

A common misconception among many is that California's deserts are sparsely vegetated, empty stretches of parched earth, uniform in both habitat and wildlife. Yet, this region of California is among the richest in diversity of animal and plant species. This map's goal is to illustrate the diverse patterns of vegetation in a corner of the Mojave Desert where sharp distinctions in elevation give rise to several major plant communities ranging from creosote bush and sagebrush to grassland, juniper, and pinyon pine.

Cartographically, the goal was to make a "desert-looking" map seem vibrant, giving the reader the impression that the deserts in California are diverse and alive rather than parched and empty expanses.

Summer Bird Species Richness

Of all the wild animals inhabiting California, birds are some of the most active and visible. They use every available habitat including the Pacific Ocean, lakes and rivers, forests and woodlands, grasslands, and deserts.

A total of 602 bird species have been known to inhabit California at some point during their life cycles. California has two species found nowhere else in the world, and seven species are virtually confined to California. In addition, there are numerous subspecies found only in California. California's large size, varied topography, mild climate, and habitat diversity are largely responsible for the state's uniquely rich bird life.

California's birds are generally categorized by whether they migrate or not. Approximately one-quarter of California's native bird species are known as residents because they remain in the state all year and do not migrate. Between one-third and one-half of its birds are known as migrants, while approximately one-third are known as vagrants. They do not occur regularly because their breeding or wintering ranges or migratory routes are normally outside of California.

Summer bird species richness includes residents and summer migrants. Most of these migrants breed in California. The greatest number of breeding species occurs in the woody vegetation of the coastal regions, foothills, mountains, and valleys of northeastern California.