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46-888: (Redirected from High Sierras ) High Sierra may refer to: Places [ edit ] High Sierra (biome) , a region of California Sierra Nevada (U.S.) , a mountain range in California also called the High Sierra or High Sierras High Sierra Trail , which crosses the Sierra Nevada Arts, entertainment, and media [ edit ] High Sierra (film) , 1941 High Sierra Music Festival , held in Quincy, California since 1991 John Muir's High Sierra , an Oscar-nominated short documentary Computing and technology [ edit ] High Sierra Format ,

92-552: A foothill woodland community of blue oak and gray pine , and chaparral . Many of the plant communities are similar to those found on the inner California Coast Ranges . Animals typical of this zone include black bear , ringtail cat , coyote , gray squirrel , bobcat , California mule deer , and skunk . In the foothills of the northern portion of the Sierra Nevada, toyon and chamise often co-dominate certain open serpentine chaparral communities. Beginning near

138-422: A CD-ROM filesystem developed in 1986 macOS High Sierra , an operating system for Apple computers Other uses [ edit ] High Sierra , an American outdoor brand owned by luggage manufacturer Samsonite International See also [ edit ] Sierra mountains (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with

184-595: A beautiful and interesting forest to explore. The indicator species for the lower montane forest are the ponderosa pine and the Jeffrey pine : the ponderosa pine generally occurs on the west side of the Sierra, while the Jeffrey pine occurs on the east. The lower montane forests also include trees such as California black oak , sugar pine , incense-cedar , and white fir . Animals that may be found in this zone include

230-488: A mixed forest of white fir , Coast Douglas-fir , ponderosa pine , Jeffrey pine , live oak , black oak , and tanoak , depending on location. North of Tahoe, the mid-montane forest has more white fir and Douglas-fir, and less ponderosa pine than further south. Jeffrey pine occurs on ultramafic lava soils. In Yosemite and points south, giant sequoia occurs in wetter locations. The upper montane forest begins at higher elevations near 7,000 feet (2,100 m), where

276-465: A smaller role, and so the needle miner assumes greater importance in lodgepole pine forest population dynamics in the Sierra Nevada. However, Rocky Mountain lodgepole forest dynamics are also heavily influenced by insect outbreaks, primarily bark beetles. There are at least 1,300 vascular plant species in the Sierra Nevada, along with numerous bryophytes and lichens . There are at least 450 species of vertebrate animals. A total of 135 plant species in

322-949: Is a pine endemic to California in the United States . Some sources discourage using the name "digger pine," considering it pejorative ("digger" was a slur commonly used to refer to Indigenous Americans in the Great Basin and California). The Pinus sabiniana tree typically grows to 36–45 feet (11–14 m), but can reach 105 feet (32 m) feet in height. The needles of the pine are in fascicles (bundles) of three, distinctively pale gray-green, sparse and drooping, and grow to 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) in length. The seed cones are large and heavy, 12–35 cm ( 4 + 3 ⁄ 4 – 13 + 3 ⁄ 4 inches) in length and almost as wide as they are long. When fresh, they weigh from 0.3 to 0.7 kilograms (0.7 to 1.5 lb), rarely over 1 kilogram (2.2 lb). The male cones grow at

368-549: Is adapted to long, hot, dry summers and is found in areas with an unusually wide range of precipitation: from an average of 250 mm (10 in) per year at the edge of the Mojave to 1,780 mm (70 in) in parts of the Sierra Nevada. It prefers rocky, well drained soil, but also grows in serpentine soil and heavy, poorly drained clay soils. It commonly occurs in association with Quercus douglasii , and "Oak/Foothill Pine vegetation" (also known as "Oak/Gray Pine vegetation")

414-989: Is an insect , endemic to the upper Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds of Yosemite National Park and one small headwaters drainage of the San Joaquin River ( Sierra National Forest ). It lives mostly within the needles of lodgepole pine for two years, emerging as a little gray moth for a few weeks in July of odd-numbered years. This keeps any predators from becoming effective control agents and allows populations to escalate rapidly. While regular prehistoric outbreaks of lodgepole needle miners have been confirmed through dendrochronology , historic records document outbreaks from 1903 to 1921, 1933 to 1941, and 1947 to 1963. Extensive stands of " ghost forest " and jackstrawed trees are still conspicuous throughout Sierra Nevada. Annual monitoring of lodgepole needle miner density began in 1966, and 28 permanent plots are scattered north of

460-455: Is determined by the harsh climate, with extensive snow and wind. In addition, soils are thin and nutrient-poor. Due to these harsh conditions, vegetation grows slowly and at low temperatures. In addition, the stressful environment suppress species competition and promotes mutualism . The marginal conditions make the Sierra Nevada subalpine zone sensitive to environmental changes, such as climate change and pollution . South of Bridgeport ,

506-405: 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 elevations. Many exposed granitic outcroppings, talus slopes, and boulder fields limit the amount of vegetation that grows here. The herbaceous plants need to flower and produce their seeds quickly during

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552-547: Is not enough precipitation to support trees. The zones below this elevation are the Sagebrush Scrub Zone, Saltbush Scrub Zone, and the Alkali Sink Zone. These zones are distinguished by soil salinity . Yosemite National Park has documented more than 130 non-native plant species within park boundaries. These non-native plants were introduced into Yosemite following the migration of early settlers in

598-482: Is replaced by a Pinyon - Juniper Woodland Zone, characterized by single-leaf pinyon pines and sierra junipers . The underbrush contains big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata ) and blackbrush ( Coleogyne ramosissima ). Jeffrey pines may occur along streams. Notable animals in this zone include the pinyon jay and the desert bighorn sheep . The Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Zone extends down to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) elevation. Below 5,000 feet (1,500 m), there

644-530: Is unusual in botany; the only other source in nature perhaps being the Pittosporum resiniferum known as "petroleum nut" or kerosene tree. The name digger pine supposedly came from the observation that the Paiute foraged for its seeds by digging around the base of the tree, although it is more likely that the term was first applied to the people; "Digger Indians" was in common use in California literature from

690-631: Is used as a description of a type of habitat characteristic within the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion in California, providing a sparse overstory above a canopy of the oak woodland . Pinus sabiniana needles are a food of the caterpillars of the Gelechiid moth Chionodes sabinianus . Fossil evidence suggests that it has only recently become adapted to the Mediterranean climate as its closest relatives are part of

736-1079: The Cathedral Range . The current outbreak began in 1973 and has been sweeping around the south side of the Cathedral Range, arriving at Sunrise High Sierra Camp in 2001. The Ghost Forest which was evident at the crest between Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne Meadows in the late 1970s was noticeably reforested by 2000. Lodgepole needle miner defoliation currently extends over approximately 40,000 acres (160 km ), with nearly 10,000 acres (40 km ) of low to high mortality each year. While lightning fires are frequent in lodgepole pine communities, they usually remain small, with estimated fire return intervals at Yosemite National Park that are long (relative to most other forest types). Thus, fire suppression activities are thought to have had little influence upon species composition , structure, fuels, and natural processes in lodgepole forests. Also, in comparison with Rocky Mountains lodgepole pine forests, fire plays

782-549: The Horticultural Society of London . Some botanists proposed a new spelling sabineana , because they were confused with Latin grammar. The proposal has not been accepted by the relevant authorities (i.e. United States Department of Agriculture , The Jepson Manual or Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). The GRIN notes that the spelling sabiniana agrees with a provision in the Vienna Code of

828-538: The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature , the governing body of botanical nomenclature. In that code, recommendation 60.2C states that personal names can be Latinized in species epithets: 'Sabine' is Latinised to sabinius , with the addition of the suffix "-anus" (pertaining to) the word becomes sabiniana (In Latin, trees are feminine, irrespective if the word ends with a masculine suffix, i.e. pinus ). The GRIN database notes that Sabine's last name

874-556: The Madrean pine-oak woodlands found at higher elevations in the southwest US and Mexico. Some Native American groups relied heavily on sweet pine nuts for food and are thought to have contributed to the current distribution pattern, including the large gap in distribution in Tulare County . Native Americans also consumed the roots. Protein and fat nutritional value of the seed are similar to Pinus pinea seeds and figured in

920-560: The dark-eyed junco , mountain chickadee , western gray squirrel , mule deer , and American black bear . The endangered Yosemite toad is found in montane forests of the central Sierra Nevada, at elevations of 4,790 to 11,910 feet (1,460 to 3,630 m). The character of the Lower Montane Forest changes with latitude. North of Grass Valley , the lower montane forest ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 feet (600 to 1,200 m), with less ponderosa pine and more Douglas-fir . In

966-533: The hermit thrush , dusky grouse ( Dendragapus obscurus ), great grey owl , golden-mantled ground squirrel , and (more rarely) the marten . Upper montane forests may be viewed from the Tioga Pass Road east of Crane Flat , Glacier Point Road, and State Route 108 . The elevation of the upper montane zone shifts with latitude: it occurs from 6,000 to 8,000 feet (1,800 to 2,400 m) north of Yosemite, and 7,000 to 9,000 feet (2,100 to 2,700 m) to

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1012-911: The riparian habitats found on the banks of numerous streams and rivers. The Sierra contains three major types of wetland: Each of these types of wetlands varies in geographic distribution, duration of saturation, vegetation community, and overall ecosystem function. All three types of wetlands provide rich habitat for plant and animal species, delay and store seasonal floodwaters, minimize downstream erosion , and improve water quality. Riverine wetlands are found within river and stream channels and are strongly influenced by seasonal runoff patterns. When inundated, riverine wetlands provide habitat for water-tolerant plants such as willows , and aquatic animals such as tadpoles and immature fish . Lacustrine wetlands generally occur on river floodplains and along lakeshores and are influenced by seasonal variations in groundwater levels. These wetlands are rare in

1058-616: The yellow-bellied marmot , and the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep . This zone can be viewed up close by hiking or climbing into the high elevations of the Sierra. The four highest eastern biotic zones are the same as the western zones, but at a higher elevation, due to less precipitation . The elevation of these zones in the Central Sierra are: In the Owens Valley , the Foothill Woodland Zone

1104-401: The 1800s. The historically more common name digger pine is still in widespread use. The Jepson Manual advises avoiding this name as the authors believe "digger" is pejorative in origin. It is also sometimes thought of as a pinyon pine , though it does not belong to that group. The scientific botanical name with the standard spelling sabiniana commemorates Joseph Sabine , secretary of

1150-471: The 1970s the United States has made substantial progress toward protecting and restoring wetland habitats. All federal land in the Sierra Nevada complies with a 1990 Presidential Executive Order that mandates ' no net loss ' of wetlands, and requires federal agencies to map and protect all existing wetlands. In 1996 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service delineated and classified some of

1196-465: The 3,000-foot (900 m) elevation, the hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters of the Mediterranean climate give rise to the lower montane forest zone . This zone is also known as the yellow pine forest zone. The accumulation of several feet of snow during the winter is not uncommon and can stay on the ground for several months. The diversity of tree species found in this zone make this

1242-729: The National Park Service. Four state-listed rare plant species are considered restricted and limited throughout all or a significant portion of their range, and may represent disjunct populations at the extreme end of their range: Endangered or threatened species of animals that occur in the Sierra Nevada include: Wetlands in the Sierra Nevada occur in valley bottoms throughout the range, and are often hydrologically linked to nearby lakes and rivers through seasonal flooding and groundwater movement. Meadow habitats , distributed at elevations from 3,000 to 11,000 feet (910 to 3,350 m), are generally wetlands, as are

1288-534: The Sierra Nevada have status as Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive Plants that are Federal species of concern (former Category 2 species) under the Federal Endangered Species Act include: Although Category 2 was abolished in 1996, species of concern refers to those species that might be declining or be in need of concentrated conservation actions to prevent decline. Therefore, these six species continue to be evaluated and managed by

1334-837: The base of shoots on the lower branches. Pinus sabiniana grows at elevations between sea level and 1,200 metres (4,000 ft) and is common in the northern and interior portions of the California Floristic Province . It is found throughout the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges foothills that ring the Central , San Joaquin and interior valleys; the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges ; and Mojave Desert sky islands . Multiple specimens have also been found in Southern Oregon as well. It

1380-401: The east lies in the rain shadow of the crest. The plants and animals in the east are thus adapted to much drier conditions. The altitudes listed for the biotic zones are for the central Sierra Nevada. The climate across the north–south axis of the range varies somewhat: the boundary elevations of the biotic zones move by as much as 1,000 feet (300 m) from the north end to the south end of

1426-474: The high amounts of resin and compression wood , the often crooked form, heavy weight, and low stand density, made it expensive otherwise to log, transport and process. Commercial value decreased by the 1960s, to limited use for railroad ties , box "shook", pallet stock, and chips . It may still offer potential as windbreak shelterbelt plantings. The main turpentine constituent, heptane , an alkane hydrocarbon, at about 3 percent of needle and twig oil,

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1472-401: The late 1850s. Natural and human -caused disturbances, such as wildland fires and construction activities, have contributed to a rapid increase in the spread of non-native plants. A number of these species aggressively invade and displace the native plant communities, resulting in impacts on the park's resources. Non-native plants can bring about significant changes in park ecosystems by altering

1518-445: The local indigenous diet. Wood uses historically were determined by its particular characteristics, e.g., 0.43 mean specific gravity nearly equal to Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ); strength properties similar to ponderosa pine ; Kraft pulps high in bursting with tensile strength comparable to some northern conifer pulps; and foothill stands loggable in winter, when higher-altitude species were inaccessible. However,

1564-464: The middle Sierra, south to the Merced River , the lower montane forest has the same elevation, but precipitation decreases and the forest mixes with chaparral. In the southern Sierra, the lower montane forest occurs between 3,000 to 5,000 feet (900 to 1,500 m), but can range as high as 6,000 feet (1,800 m), with ponderosa pine dominating the landscape. Unlike further north, the geology of

1610-579: The montane climate is characterized by short, moist, cool summers and cold, wet winters. Snow begins to fall in November and may accumulate to depths up to 6 feet (1.8 m) and remain until June. Pure stands of red fir and lodgepole pine (the indicator species) are typical of this forest. Jeffrey pine , which has bark that smells like vanilla , and the picturesque western juniper can also be found in this zone. Wildflowers bloom in meadows from June through August. Common animals in this zone include

1656-455: The mountain range, but support an abundance of warm-water loving plant and animal species. Palustrine wetlands are typically distinguished from riverine and lacustrine systems by the presence of very dense covers of trees, shrubs, or emergent plants. This wetland type includes wet meadows , densely vegetated riparian habitats, and shallow ponds . They provide cover and forage for wildlife traveling between upland and aquatic habitats. Since

1702-404: The native plant communities and the processes that support them. Some non-native species may cause an increase in the fire frequency of an area or increase the available nitrogen in the soil that may allow more non-native plants to become established. Many non-native species, such as yellow starthistle ( Centaurea solstitialis ), are able to produce a long tap root that allows them to out-compete

1748-620: The native plants for available water. Bull thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ), common mullein ( Verbascum thapsus ), and Klamath weed ( Hypericum perforatum ) have been identified as noxious pests in Yosemite since the 1940s. Additional species that have been recognized more recently as aggressive and requiring control are yellow starthistle, sweet clovers ( Melilotus spp.), Himalayan blackberry ( Rubus discolor ), cut-leaved blackberry ( Rubus laciniatus ) and periwinkle ( Vinca major ). The lodgepole needle miner ( Coleotechnites milleri )

1794-694: The past. Most recently in Yosemite Valley, the Cook's Meadow restoration project involved filling old drainage ditches that were draining the meadow and removing an old roadbed that was inhibiting water flow. These actions are currently being monitored with vegetation transects and mapping of surface water to determine how successful the project was in restoring the wetland. Pinus sabineana Pinus sabiniana (sometimes spelled P. sabineana ), with vernacular names including towani pine , foothill pine , gray pine , bull pine , and digger pine ,

1840-502: The range. The lowest-elevation biotic zone in the Sierra Nevada is found along the boundary with the Central Valley . This zone, stretching in elevation from 500 to 3,500 feet (150 to 1,070 m), is the foothill woodland zone , an area that is hot and dry in the summer with very little or no snow in the winter. The foothills are vegetated with grasslands of mostly non-native grasses, mixed grasslands and woodlands savanna ,

1886-588: The short, frost-free period of summer. Flora includes cushion plants , grasses, willows, and sedges . The macrolichen flora in the Sierra Nevada alpine zone is not well developed as compared to neighboring alpine zones in the Rocky Mountains and mountains of the Pacific Northwest . Some animal species that are adapted to this zone include the American pika , Belding's ground squirrel ,

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1932-631: The south. The upper montane forest is replaced by the subalpine forest near 9,000 feet (2,700 m), where the climate is cooler with an even shorter growing season due to long, cold, and snowy winters. Accumulations of three to nine feet (1 to 2.5 m) of snow are typical. The most common tree in the subalpine forest is the whitebark pine . The western white pine , mountain hemlock , and lodgepole pine are also found in this forest with many subalpine meadows that flower from July through August. Many species live in, or are transient in, this zone, including Clark's nutcracker . The vegetation and ecology

1978-467: The southern lower montane forest is dominated by granite. The mid-montane forest grows on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada at moderate elevations. North of Lake Tahoe , the mid-montane forest occurs from 3,000 to 6,000 feet (900 to 1,800 m). Between Tahoe and Yosemite, the forest ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 feet (1,200 to 1,800 m), while south of Yosemite, it occurs between 5,000 to 7,000 feet (1,500 to 2,100 m). The mid-montane zone has

2024-407: The subalpine forest ranges from 9,000 to 11,000 feet (2,700 to 3,400 m) of elevation and contains foxtail pines , while to the north, the subalpine forest ranges from 8,000 to 10,000 feet (2,400 to 3,000 m) and the foxtail pine is absent. 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). This zone

2070-566: The title High Sierra . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=High_Sierra&oldid=1251061899 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages High Sierra (biome) The western and eastern Sierra Nevada have substantially different species of plants and animals, because

2116-545: The wetlands of the Sierra Nevada, including all of Yosemite National Park. This was performed through an analysis of aerial photographs and topographic maps , as a part of the National Wetlands Inventory Web Site (NWI). The NWI maps have not been rigorously ground-truthed and only delineate wetlands larger than 5 acres (2 ha) in size. The National Park Service restores to natural conditions wetlands that have been drained or filled in

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