It has steep rocky shores fringed by rocks and
kelp except for a small sandy beach towards the mainland. The island is barren and hilly with a peak 150 m high rising near its center. The
flora consists mainly of a dense cover of
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum and
M. nodiflorum,
cacti, and small shrubs. There are no
endemic plants or animals on Natividad due to its proximity to the mainland (it was probably part of the mainland several times during the
ice ages, when
sea levels were lower). However,
Mammillaria pondii and a little-researched
Opuntioideae cactus, as well as
Mentzelia hirsutissima var. nesiotes are found in few other places. Native land
vertebrates are few, including the
deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus and some
lizards.
Seabirds – namely
Brandt's cormorant – and
seals use the island as a breeding and resting site. Isla Natividad is one of the southernmost breeding locations of
Cassin's auklet and a main breeding site for
black-vented shearwaters. ==Restoration==