Motte Rimrock Reserve
The Motte Rimrock Reserve, established in 1976, occupies a broad, rocky plateau on the western edge of the Perris Valley in southern California. Located equidistant between the climatological influences of the Pacific Ocean and Colorado Desert the Reserve supports an unusual mix of habitats.
Cultural History
The inland southern California area has been occupied by native American groups for thousands of years. Both the Cahuilla and Luiseño Indians probably used the Motte Rimrock Reserve land and surrounding areas as late as 200 years BP.
Read More
289
hectares in size (715 acres)
482
to 605 m (1,580 - 1,985 ft) in elevation
33
cm (13 in) in average precipitation per year
Ongoing Research
Below are abstracts for some recent and ongoing research projects at the Motte Rimrock Reserve. To conduct research at the Reserve, fill out an Online Research Application.
Latest News Articles
24 Jun
Limited underground water storage make plants less susceptible to drought
by Robert Sanders, UC Berkeley
You might expect that plants hoping to thrive in California’s boom-or-bust rain cycle would choose to set down roots in a place that can store lots of water underground to last through drought years.
But some of the most successful plant communities in the state — and probably in Mediterranean…
Read More »about
