Regeneration in Quercus lobata Savannas, Santa Lucia Mountains, California

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Abstract
Geographic distribution and vegetational affinities of Q. lobata communities in the Santa Lucia Mountains of central coastal California [USA] are discussed. In 8 localities representing different physiographic types of oak savanna, size-class distributions and successional trends were studied. Few Q. lobata seedlings or sapling were found. Some higher-elevation savannas are being invaded by Pinus coulteri, P. ponderosa, Q. chrysolepis and Q. wislizenii. Low fire frequency may be part of the cause of this conversion of deciduous oak savanna to pine and sclerophyll forest. Detailed observations on Q. lobata regeneration were made at 1 ungrazed locality. Despite heavy predation on acorns, Q. lobata seedling do start in this area, but under present deer- and rodent-browsing conditions seedlings do not become saplings.