Ecosystem diversity

Framework / Assessment
Summary

Protecting the diversity of California's ecosystems is likely to also protect the diversity of native fauna and flora. This depends on how much area is protected and if diversity is appropriately defined. For example, there are many kinds of vernal pool, which vary because of underlying geology and surrounding landscape. Different vernal pool types will have different assemblages of species. Therefore, just protecting "vernal pool" diversity without attention to types of vernal pools could result in loss of diversity.