Author: Harold Draper

Mongolian Grasslands, Jehol Fossil Beds, and Daurian Flora, Part 2: Forests

February 2, 2013

Overview of the Natural Landscape The focus area between 40 degrees and 50 degrees latitude makes the transition between warm temperate deciduous forests in the southeast and dry grasslands and boreal forests in the northwest. The dense human population has impacted this landscape for thousands of years, but many valuable near-natural landscapes remain.  This transition … More Mongolian Grasslands, Jehol Fossil Beds, and Daurian Flora, Part 2: Forests

Mongolian Grasslands, Jehol Fossil Beds, and Daurian Flora, Part I: Jehol

January 1, 2013

Dinosaurs and feathers, the home of Genghis Khan, and Xanadu I. Map Focus Area: 40 to 50 degrees North; 110 to 121 degrees East II. Countries and Subdivisions (Provinces, States, Regions, or Districts):  China (Beijing Municipality, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Shanxi, Tianjin Municipality), Mongolia (East Aimag , East Gobi, Khentii, Sukhbaatar), Russia (Zabaykalsky Krai). The large … More Mongolian Grasslands, Jehol Fossil Beds, and Daurian Flora, Part I: Jehol

Karri, Jarrah, and Mallee, Part II

December 1, 2012

The Southwest Australia savanna ecoregion is known for wildflower viewing in native vegetation remnants.  Scenic features include granite outcrops and large inland salt lakes, along with wave rocks.  The relatively wetter Southwest Australia woodlands ecoregion is jarrah forest, grading into wandoo and drier woodlands.  Scenic features include waterfalls along the Darling scarp, scenic drives, and … More Karri, Jarrah, and Mallee, Part II

Karri, Jarrah, and Mallee, Part I

November 11, 2012

Some of world’s tallest trees, a wildflower paradise, and the rabbit-proof fence  I.  Map boundaries: 30 to 40 degrees South; 110 to 120 degrees East II.  Country (Provinces–Regions): Australia (Western Australia—Goldfields-Esperance, Great Southern, MidWest, Peel, South West, and Wheat Belt economic development regions; local government areas surrounding Perth). III.  Overview This map area includes all of … More Karri, Jarrah, and Mallee, Part I

Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands, Part II

October 10, 2012

The 57 wilderness areas of the Sonoran Desert, along with other natural lands described below, emphasize the tremendous diversity of this arid landscape and its transitional nature from the tropics to the temperate realm.  This entry completes this year-long inventory and overview of the arid lands of the Southwest US and northwestern Mexico; however, I will … More Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands, Part II

Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands, Part I

September 1, 2012

  Columnar cacti, renewable energy, and squirrels I. Map boundaries: 30 to 35 degrees North; 110 to 117 degrees West II. Country (State): Mexico (Baja California, Sonora), United States (Arizona, California). III. Overview This entry focuses on the Sonoran Desert north of 30 degrees latitude and the Chihuahuan Desert west of 110 degrees longitude. The … More Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands, Part I

Mojave Desert, Part II

August 3, 2012

Many of the 77 designated wilderness areas of the Mojave Desert provide desert tortoise habitat and contain large stands of Joshua trees.  Other drier sites are mostly creosote bush and cholla cactus.  A few, such as Golden Valley and Newberry Mountains, are known for spring wildflower displays.  Those that reach above 7,000 feet, such as … More Mojave Desert, Part II

Mojave Desert, Part I

July 6, 2012

Mojave Desert Ecoregion of the Nearactic Biome Number 1308 on map. Extent of Mojave Desert: 33 to 38 degrees North; 113 to 119 degrees West Country (State): United States (Arizona,California,Nevada,Utah). I.  Overview Located adjacent to the crowded southern California Mediterranean ecosystems, the Mojave Desert is filled with military bases and is the site for new construction … More Mojave Desert, Part I

Colorado Plateau Shrublands and Arizona Mountain Forests, Part II

June 2, 2012

Dramatic escarpments characterize the public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other agencies on the Colorado Plateau.  The San Rafael Swell in Utah rises 2,000 feet, as do the Grand Wash Cliffs on the western Colorado Plateau on the Nevada-Arizona border.  Fossil Creek, now a wild and scenic river, originally was … More Colorado Plateau Shrublands and Arizona Mountain Forests, Part II

Colorado Plateau Shrublands and Arizona Mountains Forests

May 6, 2012

The world’s best record of terrestrial Cretaceous life, Merriam’s life zones, and Colorado River silt I.  Map boundaries: 33 to 40 degrees North; 110 to 114 degrees West II.  Country (State): United States (Arizona, Utah). III.  Overview This map area includes the western Colorado Plateau, which is marked by dramatic escarpments along all its boundaries, … More Colorado Plateau Shrublands and Arizona Mountains Forests