San Bruno Mountain: A Guide to the Flora and Fauna

Abstract

From the Publisher: San Bruno Mountain, located in the center of the San Francisco Bay Area, is a four-squaremileglobal treasure—a natural preserve touted by biologist E. O. Wilson as one of the world’s rare biodiversityhot spots. Bathed in fog and wind and preserved from destruction by the fierce work of localconservationists, this mountain offers visitors a glimpse of what San Francisco looked like before colonization.Drawing on years of visits, observations, and research to offer a comprehensive flora of San BrunoMountain and its endangered species, conservationists Doug Allshouse and David L. Nelson help us understandthis unique and precious place from the point of view of the plants in this one-of-a-kind field guide.Detailing a total of 528 plant species (among them 316 natives), the authors also delve into the history of thisliving, changing habitat at the southern edge of San Francisco. The birds, butterflies, reptiles, geology, climate,dynamic changes, and political history of the preserve also feature in San Bruno Mountain. Even locals whohave enjoyed hiking and viewing the mountain for years will be astonished at this book’s revelations about thediversity and importance of this wild place.