Wide fluctuations in precipitation and temperature for periods of years result in significant or catastrophic changes in biological communities. Composition and successional sequence of some communities have changed because of plant and animal species introduced between the mid 1800's and early 1900's. The introductions related to grazing and agriculture. Humans have been utilizing the Section for about 8,000 years, and have been an integral part of Coast Range ecology for about 2,000 years. World-renown Chumash rock art is a unique reflection of prehistoric lifestyle.
Grazing is an important historic use, beginning with land grants during the Mexican period.
All are overlain by a rural lifestyle. Economic emphases are recreation, agriculture, and government. Compiled by Pacific Southwest Region. There are narrow ranges and broad fault blocks, alluviated lowlands, and dissected westward sloping granitic uplands. This Section is in both the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges geomorphic provinces.