The Coastal Redwood ecosystem exists only in the region of Northern California, along the Northern coast, from San Francisco to the Oregon border.
Here is a photo of the Coastal Redwoods. ^
HISTORICAL STATE
The Redwoods exist in a mediterranean biome and are naturally equipped to withstand fire. The fires help maintain a natural balance between the trees and the wildlife. Recent research has shown that some animals such as worms and salamanders may live their entire lives without ever leaving their host tree. Spotted owls and others live specifically in old growth forests. Furthermore, smaller plants such as Sitka spruces, ferns, and huckleberries maintain close symbiotic relationships with the redwoods, some even live in the dense interlocking canopies created by the massive trees. Redwoods also serve the ecosystem by providing an immense amount of oxygen and absorbing excess carbon. The oldest trees in the world exist in this ecosystem, some reaching over 2,000 years in age.
During positive conditions, young conifers grow as rapidly as feet 2 feet annually. The cones themselves are surprisingly small and often grow close to the mother tree, taking advantage of the nutrients found in the shallow roots. This permits the creation of a dense forest, rich with life. Indigenous Californians had a small impact on the natural ecosystem, rarely ever cutting down the redwoods. Fallen trees, however, were utilized in the construction of houses and canoes.
During positive conditions, young conifers grow as rapidly as feet 2 feet annually. The cones themselves are surprisingly small and often grow close to the mother tree, taking advantage of the nutrients found in the shallow roots. This permits the creation of a dense forest, rich with life. Indigenous Californians had a small impact on the natural ecosystem, rarely ever cutting down the redwoods. Fallen trees, however, were utilized in the construction of houses and canoes.
HUMAN IMPACT
The Gold Rush of 1849 brought many miners to California. This led to the birth of industrial towns within the borders of the Redwood Empire. These new inhabitants logged massive areas of land and utilized the lumber for housing and other raw materials.
Today only 5 percent of the original 2 million acres of forest remains in a narrow region along the Pacific coast. This drastic change has nearly destroyed the native ecosystem and endangered a great number of indigenous species.
The clear-cutting of the redwoods has had an astronomical effect on the land which has led to coastal runoff, a lack of biodiversity, and an excess of carbon that is instrumental in the process of global warming.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Although historically the degradation of redwood ecosystems has been catastrophic, this region is now heavily regulated, and many measures have been taken to preserve these endangered forests. 82% of the Redwood forests are either privately owned or susceptible to logging in National forest zones. 18% is protected as eco-reserves.
A growing movement is placing pressure on private lumber interests to give up the land for environmental protection In 1908, Theodore Roosevelt was one of the major advocates for environmental protection, declaring Muir Woods a national monument. This is one of the last old growth redwood forests in the world.
The Save the Redwoods League has made it their mission since 1918 to purchase endangered land, restore logged land, and inspire a new generation of young activists.
The Redwood Alliance is a local non-profit organization that maintains a similar goal: gathering funds to enforce environmental legislation in the court room.
PRESERVATION
While redwood timber is certainly valuable, more resilient alternatives would help to protect this ecosystem. Using previously clear-cut land as a farming ground for young redwoods will slow the destruction of the vanishing redwoods. The protection of old-growth forests has become the most pressing issue and these last remaining ancient wonders are now almost entirely zoned in reserves.
Acres vs. Age of the Mendocino Redwoods ^
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
1."Coast Redwood Save the Redwoods League." Save the Redwoods League. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. http:/www.savethredwoods.org/ education/coastredwood.shtml .
2."Description of the Usal Redwood Forest." Redwood Forest Foundation. Web. 01 Dec. 2010.
3.Kellum, June. "Fog Loss Could Be Putting Coastal Redwoods at Risk United States Epoch Times." Epoch Times National, World, China, Sports, Entertainment News Epoch Times. Web. 01 Dec. 2010.
4. Stephens, Scott L and Danny L. Fry. Association of Fire Ecology. Web. 01 Dec, 2010.“Fire History in Coast Redwood Sands in the Northeastern Santa Cruz Mountains, California.”
