legacy species
A legacy species is a long-lived native plant or tree that shapes the structure, stability, and ecological continuity of an ecosystem across generations. These species persist through natural disturbances like fire, drought, and flood, and continue to provide essential habitat, food, and shelter for wildlife over many decades or even centuries.
In the Santa Cruz Mountains, examples include Valley Oak, Quercus lobata and Coast Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens—species that define the character of the landscape and support entire food webs over long timescales.
Legacy species are often planted in restoration and habitat projects to reestablish long-term ecological function and resilience.
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