California Central Valley grasslands

California Central Valley grasslands
Waterfowl in the Central Valley wetlands
Location of the California Central Valley grasslands
Ecology
Realm	Nearctic
Biome	temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands
Borders	California interior chaparral and woodlands
Bird species	184[1]
Mammal species	79[1]
Geography
Area	46,275 km2 (17,867 sq mi)
Country	United States
State	California
Coordinates	37°00′N 120°18′W / 37°N 120.3°W / 37; -120.3[2]
Climate type	Mediterranean (Csa)
Conservation
Conservation status	Critical/endangered[3]
Protected	1,935 km2 (4%)[4]

The California Central Valley grasslands is a temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands ecoregion in California's Central Valley. It a diverse ecoregion containing areas of desert grassland (at the southern end), prairie, savanna, riparian forest, marsh, several types of seasonal vernal pools, and large lakes such as now-dry Tulare Lake (which was the largest freshwater lake in the United States west of the Mississippi), Buena Vista Lake, and Kern Lake.

The Central Valley has been greatly altered by human activity. Most of the land has been converted to farms, pastureland, or cities. Most of the valley's wetlands have been drained. The introduction of exotic plants, especially grasses, has altered the region's ecology.