Treesearch

The influence of fire and climate events on age structure of different species was examined in old-growth mixed conifer in the southern Sierra Nevada. Within a 48-ha stem-mapped sample area, after a mechanical thinning, all stumps were examined for fire scars and 526 stumps were cut to ground level and aged. Before 1865, which was the last widespread fire event, the mean interval between scars for an individual tree was 17.3 years and the mean fire return interval for the period with the greatest number of recording trees was 11.4 years. A significantly greater than expected number of...

We examined differences in riparian and aquatic environments within the three dominant vegetation patch types of the Mattole River watershed, a 789-km2 mixed conifer-deciduous (hardwood) forest and grassland-dominated landscape in northwestern California, USA. Riparian and aquatic environments, and particularly microclimates therein, influence the distributions of many vertebrate species, particularly the physiologically-restricted ectotherms -- reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna), and fishes. In addition to being a significant portion of the native biodiversity of a landscape, the...

Management of leisure resources in California would be incomplete with out consideration of the fastest growing ethnic group-Latinos. There are approximately 12 million Latinos in California (about one-third of California's population; Bear Facts, 2004), and this is expected to grow to 21 million Latinos by the year 2025 (about 40% of California's population).

Challenges, opportunities, and actions exist in areas where large urban populations interface with natural areas, such as outdoor recreation sites in southern California. Challenges in the interface include intense recreation use, public safety issues, and complex information strategies. Research results on communications and environmental education offer opportunities to address information challenges. Actions taken include the use of Eco-Teams (delivers environmental messages), a forest information van (delivers information of interest to visitors), and Hawkins Natural Park in South...

The effects of multiple logging disturbances on peak flows and suspended sediment loads from second-growth redwood watersheds were approximately additive. Downstream increases were no greater than would be expected from the proportion of the area disturbed. Annual sediment load increases of from 123 to 269% were measured in tributary watersheds but were not detected at the main channel gages, implying that sediment was being temporarily stored in the intervening channels.

Ecological descriptions of 98 research natural areas (of various statuses) in the Pacific Southwest Region of the USDA Forest Service are summarized in this report. These descriptions, basically based on ecological surveys conducted from 1975 through 2000, provide important but largely unknown information on the ecology of California. For each area, descriptions of location, target elements, distinctive features, physical characteristics, plant communities, plant diversity, and conflicting impacts are provided. Comparisons are made between similar vegetation types at different sites....

Abstract: Large, high-severity wildfires remove vegetation cover and expose mineral soil, ofen causing erosion and runoff during postfire rain events to increase dramatically. Land-management agencies in the United States are required to assess site conditions after wildfire and, where necessary, implement emergency watershed rehabilitation measures to help stabilize soil; control movement of water, sediment, and debris; prevent permanent impairment of ecosystem structure and function; and mitigate significant threats to human health, safety, life, property, or downstream values. One of...

This recommended RNA (rRNA) is on the Six Rivers National Forest, Del Norte County. The study area includes two small units about 7 miles (11 km) NE. of Klamath Glen. The NE. unit lies in T13N, R3E sects. 29, 30, and 31. The SW. unit is in T13N, R3E, sect. 6 and in sect. 31 of T14N, R3E MDBM (41°33'N., 123°52'W.), USGS Summit Valley and Klamath Glen quads. Ecological subsection – Western Jurassic (M261Aa).

Recommended for RNA establishment, this area is on the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest. It is approximately 45 miles (72 km) SW. of King City, lying within the W. portion of the Las Milpitas Land Grant, which has not been divided into sections. It occurs within T21S, R5E (36°05'N., 121°24'W.), USGS Junipero Serra quad. Ecological subsection – North Coastal Santa Lucia Range (261Aj).

This established RNA is on the Inyo National Forest about 18 miles (29 km) SSE. of the town of Big Pine. The RNA falls partly or wholly within sects. 23, 24, 25, 26, 35, and 36 of T10S, R36E MDBM and also within sects. 1 and 2 of T11S, R36E MDBM (37°3'N., 118°0'W.), USGS Waucoba Mtn. and Waucoba Spring quads. Ecological subsection – Inyo Mountains (341Fb).