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Sierra Nevada Forests (WWF ecoregion NA0527)

Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California  (c) 2005 James H. Bassett


Source of bioregions data: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.

Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 1 (globally outstanding)
This ecoregion contains one of the most diverse temperate conifer forests on Earth.  It has a wide range of habitat types and about 3500 species of vascular plants, including 400 endemic species, and about 400 species of vertebrates.*

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 2 (endangered)
About 25% of the habitat is intact.  Four national parks protect large blocks of intact forest.  Logging, grazing in wilderness areas, and air pollution are threats.*

Characteristic species*
 
Pinus ponderosa  (ponderosa pine)
 
Pinus lambertiana (sugar pine)
Pseudotsuga menziesii  (Douglas fir)
Abies concolor (white fir)
 
Sequoiadendron gigantea (giant sequoia)  (c) 2004 Maurice J. Kaufmann
 
Abies magnifica (red fir)
Pinus jeffreyi (Jeffrey pine)
Pinus monticola  (western white pine)
 Juniperus scopulorum (mountain juniper)
 
Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen)
 
Tsuga mertensiana  (mountain hemlock)
 
Pinus albicaulis (white bark pine)  (c) 2004 Maurice J. Kaufmann
 
Pinus balfouriana (foxtail pine)
Pinus flexilis (limber pine)
Pinus contorta  (lodgepole pine)
 

Associated habitats

Mixed valley forest, Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Ntl. Park, California
(c) 2005 James H. Bassett   hires

Giant sequoia grove, Yosemite National Park, California

Sequoiadendron gigantea (giant sequoia) grove, Yosemite Ntl. Park, CA
Sequoiadendron gigantea (giant sequoia)
 (c) 2005 James H. Bassett   hires

High elevation forest, Sequoya National Park, California

High elevation forest, Sequoya National Park, California
 (c) 2005 James H. Bassett   hires

Treeline, Yosemite National Park, California

Treeline, Yosemite Ntl. Park, California
(c) 2005 James H. Bassett   hires

* Ricketts, T.H., E. Dinerstein, D.M. Olson, C.J. Loucks, et al.  (1999) Terrestrial Ecoregions of North America: A Conservation Assessment.  World Wildlife Fund - United States and Canada.  Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 244-248.

Except as noted, images copyright 2002-2004 Steve Baskauf - Terms of use