Bahia de San Quintín is a diverse and relatively unspoiled region of the pacific coast, including one of the most pristine wetland environments in the world, and eleven volcanic systems with elevations up to 260 M.  San Quintín itself is one of a series of rapidly expanding agricultural towns along the carreterra intrapeninsular in northwestern Baja California, currently home to an estimated population of 50,000 people. 

In order to inform conservation efforts in this region, a floristic inventory of the area has been initiated.  This project aims to produce a vouchered checklist of the area West of the carreterra transpeninsular, from Rio de Santa Domingo to Arroyo Socorro, and including Isla de San Martin (identified here as “Greater San Quintín”).   Preliminary results of the ‘Conservation Area Plan for San Quintín’ (data unpublished) from The Nature Conservancy, Baja California have identified seven distinct habitats in need of conservation, four of which are terrestrial:

• Marismas   (Salt Marshes)
• Dunas y playas   (Dunes and Beaches)
• Arroyos y áreas riparias (Rivers and Riparian areas)
• Matorral rosetófilo costero  (Coastal Rosette Matorral)

The range of each species within greater San Quintín will be identified with regard to these four habitats, with herbarium specimens that document the diversity of each habitat to be deposited at RSA-POM, BCMEX and SD.  Seed accessions for all perennial species will be deposited in the RSABG long-term storage seed facility.  Data on various elements of the flora will also be recorded (eg. abundance of perennial species, flowering times, spread of exotics). 

 The most recent report on the ecological status of San Quintín is the Programa de Ordenamiento Ecológico de la region de San Quintín (October, 2001) produced as part of the Baja California Coastal Wetlands Inventory, and informed by many agencies including CICESE, Terra-Peninsular, Proestero, and The Nature Conservancy.  It includes a plant-list based on documented (vouchered) historical occurrences within the region.  This report identifies 281 taxa; 55 of which are non-native; and 53 of which are listed as having special status.  In reviewing historical collections it is hoped that this project will be able to assess the current status of the flora with regard to current impacts and potential threats.

 Previous studies for this area include: 

• The Baja California Coastal Wetlands Inventory (BCCWI) 2001.  List of voucher specimens included in ‘Programa de Ordenamiento Ecológico de la region de San Quintín’ (http://proesteros.cicese.mx/investigacion/inv_hum/cont/intro.htm)
• Aguirre, A., et al., 2000.  Analysis of the Environmental Impact Statement for the tourist project “Proyecto de Cabo San Quintín en Ensenada, BC” to be located in San Quintín, Baja California.  An independent document produced by a group of interdisciplinary scientists and specialists.
• Thorne, R. F. 1989.  The vascular plants of Bahía San Quintín and adjacent areas, Baja California, Mexico.  Crossosoma. 15(2):5-8
• Soto, H. J. A. 1987.  Identificación taxonómica de malezas en cultivo de tomate (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) en la región de San Quintín, B.C.  Tesis de Licenciatura.  Esculela Superior de Ciencias-U.A.B.C. 62p.
• Neuenschwander, L. F., Thorsted Jr., T. H. and R. J. Vogl. 1979.  The Salt Marsh and Transitional Vegetation of Bahía de San Quintín.  Bull. S. Calif. Acad. Sci.;. 78 (3): 163-182.