Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The life zone concept was developed by C. Hart Merriam in 1889 as a means of describing areas with similar plant and animal communities. Merriam observed that the changes in these communities with an increase in latitude at a constant elevation are similar to the changes seen with an increase in elevation at a constant latitude.
The alpine zone begins near 10,500 feet (3,200 m) elevation (in the southern Sierra) and near 9,000 feet (2,700 m) (in the north). [9] This zone is easily distinguished as it is above the tree line. No trees grow in this zone due to the harsh climatic conditions. Short, cool summers with long, cold, and snowy winters are typical at these ...
The alpine zone, or alpine fell-field, is above the tree line, generally at 11,000 to 11,500 feet (3,400 to 3,500 m) in the south, [4] [5]: 8 and 9,900 feet (3,000 m) [6]: 17 to 10,500 feet (3,200 m) [4] in the north. The plants are influenced by having to endure long and very cold winters, poor to no soils, constant high winds, intense ...
The coast of California north of San Francisco contains the Northern California coastal forests (as defined by the WWF) and the southern section of the Coast Range ecoregion (as defined by the EPA). This ecoregion is dominated by redwood forest , containing the tallest and some of the oldest trees in the world.
Most exotic plants in California are currently restricted to low elevations, although some invasive species may have the potential to reach the subalpine zone. If climate change does indeed warm regions where the subalpine zone occurs, conditions there may become more conducive to threats such as invasive species as the local ecosystem is ...
Alpine level: [7] [20] The zone that stretches between the tree line and snowline. This zone is further broken down into Sub-Nival and Treeless Alpine (in the tropics-Tierra fria; low-alpine) Sub-nival: [20] The highest zone that vegetation typically exists. This area is shaped by the frequent frosts that restrict extensive plant colonization.
Tree line and Krummholz zone or ecotone (stunted subalpine bushes), Sub-alpine meadow and Alpine climate. Alpine zone, 2,000 - 3,000 m (Eastern Alps), Montane grasslands and shrublands. Mountain Pine or Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo) limit. Alpine meadows just used in the warm season.
In 1873, Mount Whitney was climbed for the first time by 3 men from Lone Pine, California, on a fishing trip. [9] From 1892 to 1897 Theodore Solomons made the first attempt to map a route along the crest of the Sierra. [9] Other people finished exploring and mapping the Sierra. Bolton Coit Brown explored the Kings River watershed in 1895–1899.