Patrick Douglas
Geography 5 Lab
TA Jenny Goldstein
Final Project Outline
Ecosystem: Coniferous Forest: Sierra Nevada Mountain Range,
CA
Partner: No
References: http://ceres.ca.gov/snep/
Outline: 1.
The spatial scale of the Sierra is regional, as a region of California.
2. This ecosystem historically is
very young, and has gone through many drastic changes in recent history.
(Recent in geologic terms meaning formation about 10 million years ago)
3. The human impact on the Sierra
is relatively good, however, there is negative human impact. Most of the human
impact is caused by the timber market which cuts down lots of trees in the
Sierra. Also, the number of old growth forests have become increasingly rare.
4. The benefits of the Sierra
Nevada are endless, with some of the world’s best protected hiking, rock
climbing, fishing and snow sports.
5. There are multiple protected
areas within the Sierra, namely Yosemite National Park which is protected from
all commercial activities. There are also many National Forests and state parks
within the Sierra.
6. Yosemite’s status as a
protected area is good, being a National Park. But it does have environmental
issues such as air pollution and non native invasive species. Also, the immense
visitor population as well as the accommodating buildings and parking lots take
its toll on the landscape.
7. In the future, the Sierra
Nevada as an ecosystem will most likely continue on an upward trend because of
the new laws and regulations aimed at protecting our national parks.
8. There already is a good balance
between people and this ecosystem, however, there can be more done to help maintain
the balance between people and the Sierra. Seeing as though there are already
many state parks, national parks and national forests protecting the Sierra,
most of the Sierra is already in good balance with sustenance and useful land
for visitors. To improve the balance, there could certainly be more
restrictions in visitation numbers to Yosemite, as it looks like Disneyland on
a crowded weekend, which certainly takes its toll on the ecosystem.
