Located adjacent to the Riverside campus, the Box Springs Reserve lies on a steep and rugged granitic slope near the top of Box Springs Mountain, in a transitional zone between coastal sage scrub and chamise chaparral. A cold spring on the adjacent land gives rise to freshwater seeps and an intermittent stream.
Rich in vertebrates, the reserve hosts nineteen species of reptiles, including three rare species: the coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum), the orange-throated whiptail (Cnemidoporus hyperythrus), and the red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber). Sixteen species of mammals inhabit the reserve, including the Pacific kangaroo rat (Dipodomys agilis), mountain lion (Felis concolor), and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Also observed on site are over eighty-five bird species. Soaring and hunting on the updrafts are many raptors, such as golden eagle, turkey vulture, red-tailed hawk, white-tailed kite, northern harrier, and American kestrel. Other avian species frequently seen are white-throated swift, Anna’s hummingbird, rock and canyon wrens, lazuli bunting, western meadowlarks, and rufous-crowned, black-chinned, and sage sparrows.
Fire occurs fairly frequently in this area. The reserve burned most recently in 1993, but opportunities for research and instruction remain undiminished.
Selected Research
Effects of nitrogen eutrophication and fire on invasive annuals in California coastal sage shrublands.
Contact Information
Kenneth J. Halama
Biology Department
1208 Spieth Hall
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521
951-657-3111
kjhalama@ucr.edu
Box Springs Reserve website
Location
Riverside County, adjacent to Riverside campus on Box Springs Mountain; 4 km (2.5 mi.) east of the city of Riverside
Facilities
None; the site is best suited for day use
Reserve bibliography
The reserve bibliography includes citations of journal articles, books, theses, art, and other works published about or based on activities conducted at the reserve.
Databases
Inventory of vertebrates on the reserve; list of all plants on Box Springs Mountain.
Databases
Personnel
Reserve director, part-time steward.
Size
65 hectares (160 acres)
Elevation
506 to 745 m (1,660 to 2,444 ft.)
Average Precipitation
28 cm (11 in.) per year
Average Temperatures
August maximum: 35 ºC (95 ºF)
December minimum: 5.6 ºC (42 ºF)