Yolo Landscapes

Ecological Setting and Habitats

The Plan Area is located in California's Central Valley, which has a Mediterranean-like climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The topography of Yolo County is characterized by valley, foothill, and mountain range components. The Sacramento River and Cache and Putah Creeks primarily influence the hydrology of Yolo County. Precipitation falling within Yolo County overflow from external sources, and irrigation water is redistributed by a series of natural sloughs and artificial drainages that ultimately drain to the Colusa and Yolo Basins, which run along the west bank of the Sacramento River.

The Plan Area is comprised of six broad habitat categories, which can be subdivided into 28 habitat associations, and 64 floristic-based vegetation types (including none agricultural categories). The list below includes the general crop types for Agriculture, and habitat associations for all other habitat categories.