NATURAL AREAS AND REGIONS 



221 



in the form of snow. The average sum- 

 mer temperature is about 53°, maximum 

 temperatures do not exceed 70°, while 

 the average maximum is probably not 

 over 63°. The daily range is slight, not 

 over 30°, and frosts occur throughout 

 the summer. 



This high mountain country is the 

 home of the wolverine {Gulo luscus 

 luteus), Belding ground-squirrel (Citei- 

 lus beldingi), alpine chipmunk, pika 

 (Ochotona) and the rare Sierra sheep 

 {Ovis canadensis sierrae). In addition 

 to the visitors from the lower zones, 

 occur also the Arctic three-toed wood- 

 pecker, Clark nutcracker, western even- 

 ing grosbeak, pine grosbeak, white- 

 crowned sparrow and Sierra hermit 

 thrush. 



REDWOOD TYPE (HUMID TRANSITION) 



The redwood region is restricted to the 

 coastal area of northern California and 

 is characterized by the coast redwood 

 [Sequoia sem-pervirens) , and the Sitka 

 spruce [Picea sitchensis). Douglas fir, 

 white fir, and the prickle-cone pine 

 {Pinus muricata) are found in certain 

 areas. The redwood is rapidly being 

 exploited. All of the forests are pri- 

 vately owned, though there are small 

 areas being set aside as parks in which 

 the type will be preserved in its virgin 

 condition. As redwood sprouts readily, 

 there is little chance of the area remain- 

 ing unforested. Some of the region 

 after being cut over has been badly 

 burned, but a dense undergrowth soon 

 springs up and forest reappears. 



In the redwoods, the annual march 

 of the temperature is even, the average 

 annual temperature being about oO° 

 with a heavy rainfall during the six 

 coldest months of the year. Freezing 

 temperatures are unusual, and though 

 snows are occasional the snow seldom 

 lies long on the ground. Fogs are heavy 

 and frequent and keep the forests more 

 or less moist throughout the year. 



The redwood region, because of its 

 very humid climate, has a characteristic 

 fauna of its own, differing from the 

 Sierra transition. Many of the Sierra 



species are found in this belt and many 

 similar species occur as sub-species. 

 Native to this region is the Columbia 

 black-tailed deer {Odocoileus columbi- 

 anus), redwood chipmunk {Eutamias 

 townsendii ochrogenys) (redwood brush 

 rabbit (Sylvilagus hachmani ubericolor), 

 redwood weasel (Muslela xanthogeny 

 munda), redwood gray fox (Urocyon 

 californicus sequoiensis) , and coast 

 flying-squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus 

 stephensi). Among the bird life are 

 the Harris woodpecker, dusky horned 

 owl, California pigmy owl, varied thrush, 

 northwest flicker, red-breasted sap- 

 sucker, and coast jay. 



The National Forests of California 

 are chiefly in the pine and fir region of 

 the state and include practically every 

 vegetational type except the redwood, 

 though there are large private holdings 

 within the exterior boundaries of the 

 National Forests. 



The tremendous increase in the uti- 

 lization of the forest lands of the state 

 and of the National Forests in tlie past 

 few years should be emphasized as in- 

 dicating the necessity for at once setting 

 aside some natural areas. The in- 

 dividual descriptions of the National 

 Forests follow. 



NATURAL AREAS 



Angeles National Forest 



1. Area— 826,331 acres. 



2. Present condition— approximately 

 one-fifth of total area has been burned 

 within the last 20 years. Large numbers 

 of campers and recreationists use the 

 forest annually. Some portions of the 

 area are inaccessible and will probably 

 remain so for many years. The Forest 

 Service will probably set aside between 

 GOO and 1000 acres in the timber type 

 as an experimental area. 



3. Succession is shown to good 

 advantage. 



4. Very little grazing e.xcept in the 

 higher elevations and that by cattle. 



5. Forest types include low and high 

 chaparral, western yellow pine, JclTrey 



