Natural Resources
Further information: California coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion and California montane chaparral and woodlands- Flora
As part of the California Floristic Province, the Santa Ana Mountains host a diverse array of plant species within distinctive natural (plant) communities, including Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Riparian Woodland, Southern Oak Woodland, Rocky Outcrop, Vernal Pool, Valley Grassland, and Closed-cone Montane Coniferous Forest. One of the southernmost stands of Madrones can be found in Trabuco Canyon. Groves of Knobcone Pine can be found around Pleasants Peak. Big-cone Douglas Fir and Coulter Pine can be found at the higher elevations. Rare flowers like the Intermediate Mariposa Lily, Heart-leaved Pitcher Sage (associated with the Tecate Cypress), and Chocolate Lily are difficult to find, but breathtaking to observe. Fragrant sages, broadleaf evergreen shrubs] and trees, perennial bunchgrasses, strange succulents (Dudleya spp.), and fire-following flowers adorn the rugged terrain.
- Fauna
A surprising variety of wildlife species can be found, including Mountain Lion, American Black Bear, Mule Deer, Bobcat, Coyote, Gray Fox, American Badger, Ring-tailed Cat, Spotted Skunk, Western Gray Squirrel, Long-tailed Weasel, Woodrat, Kangaroo Rat, Bats, Spotted Owl, Western Pond Turtle, Southern Steelhead Trout, Coast Horned Lizard, Least Bell's Vireo, Golden Eagle, Mountain Quail, Canyon Wren, Speckled Rattlesnake, Pacific Rattlesnake, Common Kingsnake, Gopher Snake, Arroyo toad, Western Spadefoot Toad, California tree frog, California Sister Butterfly, various Aphonopelma species of tarantula, and many more.
A number of minerals have been mined in the range, though none were very profitable. Commercial resources collected since the 1870s have included metals lead, silver, tin, and zinc, and minerals clay, coal, gypsum, and limestone. Parts of the range have been used to graze domestic livestock and harvest timber since the late 18th century. As the surrounding cities have grown, the water of the range's creeks has become a particularly valued resource.
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