Native grass stand rarity, threat, and structure in the central coast ranges

Native grasses are a rare and mostly unknown component of California's grasslands. Approximately 3000 hectares of grasslands in twenty-seven preserves were surveyed for native grass stands. One hundred and forty native grass stands were sampled and two canonical correlations run to determine vegetation structure. Historical reviews were done to determine if cultivation or landscape conversion had occurred.;Native grass stands occupy approximately 1.7% of grassland area. Three of the 17 native grasses found occupy approximately 90% of the stand area. Less than 2% of native grass stands held >70% of native grass stand area. Thirteen distinct vegetation assemblages including twelve native grasses were identified. Invasive species frequently occur in the regions native grass stands.;Grasslands converted from other vegetation types had few or no native grass stands. Native grasses in mesic habitats in the coastal and montane regions have been able to re-invade previously cultivated sites.