S a n   B e n a r d i n o   M t n s .
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G r a n i t e   M o u n t a i n s
C o n n e c t i o n

This connection occurs in an ecologically rich transition zone linking the South Coast to the Mojave Desert Ecoregion. The eastern San Bernardino Mountains are steep, with forested habitats at higher elevations, pinyon- juniper woodlands on the slopes, giving way to creosote bush scrub at lower elevations. The dominant plant community in the linkage is creosote bush scrub with scattered Joshua trees and a diversity of cacti. Rich riparian oases occur in both Grapevine and Lovelace canyons, flowing from the San Bernardino Mountains towards Rabbit Lake at the base of the Granite Mountains; both of these washes are natural travel routes. An extremely rare alkali seep plant community occurs at Rabbit Springs that supports two listed plant species, Salt Spring checkerbloom and Parish’s alkali grass. Creosote bush scrub and saltbush scrub communities dominate the jagged hills and sloping bajadas of the Granite Mountains. Focal species selected that can easily traverse the entire linkage, and need expansive wildlands to survive include bighorn sheep, badger and mountain lion. Other focal species chosen to ensure habitat integrity in the linkage include species such as the speckled rattlesnake, rock wren, cactus wren, dusky footed woodrat, and Antelope ground squirrel.

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