Sierra Nevada Forests, Part 2B: Tahoe National Forest and American River

Part 2B continues with the national forest system and then describes the reservoir and hydroelectric power systems of the American River area of the Sierra Nevada forests ecoregion. Lake Tahoe Basin Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California, manages 78 percent of the Lake Tahoe watershed, and was formed from lands of the Eldorado, Tahoe, and … More Sierra Nevada Forests, Part 2B: Tahoe National Forest and American River

Sierra Nevada Forests, Part 1B: Plumas Area

This entry concludes the northernmost Sierra Nevada forests ecoregion compilation, with information about hydroelectric developments, wilderness areas, and state parks included. Feather River, Middle Fork Lake Davis, California State Water Project (N39º53’ W120º29’), is on Big Grizzly Creek, a tributary to the Middle Fork Feather River. The reservoir is north of Portola, with recreation areas … More Sierra Nevada Forests, Part 1B: Plumas Area

Sierra Nevada forests, Part 1A: Plumas Area

Sierra Nevada forests (NA527), Part 1A: Plumas Area Boundary Delineation Sierra Nevada forests ecoregion is the most diverse temperate coniferous forest on Earth, supporting numerous species of pine and 75 giant sequoia groves. The Sierra Nevada forests are generally found between 35 to 40 degrees north latitude and 117 to 120 degrees west longitude in … More Sierra Nevada forests, Part 1A: Plumas Area

Karri, Jarrah, and Mallee, Part II

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

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 I

  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

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

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

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

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