Conifers of the Pacific Slope: An exploration into the world of ancient plants

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1 Conifers of the Pacific Slope: An exploration into the world of ancient plants What is the Pacific Slope? A phrase used by early explorers to describe the western slopes of the Continental Divide indicating the directional change of the watersheds. Technically, the Pacific Slope references an extensive land mass but now regionally has come to describe mountains close to the Pacific Ocean. 1

2 Why Conifers? Manageable means to comprehend Klamath Mountain biodiversity Harbingers for climatic change for millions of years survivors across deep time Gorgeous group of plants! What is a Conifer? Plants became compatible with land ~425 million years ago (Ma) Horsetails, club mosses, and ferns were the first to develop vascular tissue for terrestrial life reproduced with spores. Gymnosperms (include conifers) soon followed a group which evolved ~365 Ma Angiosperms (flowering plants) evolved ~140 Ma What is a Conifer? Gymnosperms and Angiosperms comprise the seed plants of the world Evolution of a seed promoted dormancy and thus new pathways for plant distribution and evolution Gymnosperm s seeds form on a variety of structures (like a cone) and remain naked after maturation Angiosperm s seeds are enclosed 2

3 What is a Conifer? Mesozoic ( Ma) was the Heyday of Conifers nurturing the evolution of as many as 20,000 species When Cenozoic (65 Ma) began so did adaptive radiation of angiosperms With global warming, angiosperms established in low to mid latitudes and began to co-evolved with various animals to better promote pollination and seed distribution. Gymnosperms have concurrently declined to only about 1,000 species while +300,000 species of angiosperms are extant today. Decline of the gymnosperms and concurrent expansion of angiosperms represents on of the most important phytogeographic processes in the history of plant life on Earth. Conifer Relatives Four extant divisions of Gymnosperms: 1. Cycads Mostly tropical, ~ 250 species 2. Gnetopytes Ephedras of California deserts are in this group, ~70 species worldwide 3. Ginkgo One extant species remains, considered closest relative of conifers 4. Conifers Our focus today, ~630 species worldwide Conifer Wow o Are exclusively wind pollinated o Often grow where soil or climate is sub-optimal o Mycorrhizal relationships on almost all conifers. o Generally restricted to higher elevations and latitudes Exceptions locally being conifers of the coastal temperate rainforests o Less than 1% of all plant species but cover 30% of Earth s forested land o Largest, tallest, and oldest living things (all 3 species in California) 3

4 ½ of all conifers on the Pacific Rim 4

5 10% of world s conifers In California, Oregon, and Washington 5

6 5% of world s conifers in northwest California Coniferous Destinations 6

7 Coniferous Destinations 7

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10 Bishop pine Pinus muricata Bishop pine Pinus muricata 10

11 Bishop pine Pinus muricata 11

12 Bishop pine at Patricks Point State Park Torrey Pines State Reserve 12

13 Torrey Pine Pinus torreyana Torrey Pine Pinus torreyana 13

14 Torrey Pine Pinus torreyana 14

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16 Point Lobos State Reserve Gowen cypress Cupressus goveniana and Monterey cypress Cupressus macrocarpa 16

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18 Sequoia National Park Foxtail Pine Pinus balfouriana 18

19 The Klamath Mountain Region The Klamath Mountain Region The area has a central location and continuity with other mountain ranges along the Pacific Slope. Across this landscape, a mosaic of habitats mix at a crossroads of five biotic regions the Cascades, Coast Range, Great Basin, Central Valley, and Sierra Nevada each helping to define the Klamath Mountains. Complex Soils Serpentine Geology One example of where microsite evolution occurs regionally 19

20 Complex climatic conditions Historically moderate climate The landscape coupled with complex climate creates microsites both elevationally, latitudinally, and longitudinally 20

21 The Klamath Mountain Region The Klamath Mountain Region Russian Wilderness Russian Wilderness 21

22 18 conifer species in one square mile! foxtail pine whitebark pine western white pine Jeffrey pine ponderosa pine lodgepole pine sugar pine white fir Shasta fir subalpine fir Engelmann spruce Brewer spruce mountain hemlock Douglas-fir Pacific yew incense-cedar common juniper western juniper 22

23 Juniperus Juniperus occidentalis 23

24 The Klamath Mountain Region Marble Mountain Wilderness Pacific silver fir Abies amabilis Pacific silver fir Abies amabilis 24

25 Pacific silver fir Abies amabilis Bigfoot Trail 6 wilderness areas 5 National Forests 1 National Park 1 State Park 1 National Monument 5 major watersheds 32 conifer species 3,400+ plant taxa 25

26 Whitebark Pine Pinus albicaulis 26

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28 Warner Mountain Wilderness Warner Mountain Wilderness Warner Mountain Wilderness 28

29 Warner Mountain Wilderness Warner Mountain Wilderness 29

30 Eagle Cap Wilderness Eagle Cap Wilderness Eagle Cap Wilderness 30

31 Olympic National Park Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis 31

32 Western Hemlock Tsuga heterophylla 32

33 Bigfoot Trail Alliance Why Natural History Books? Because Natural History is a primary component of culture. As a culture we must have more authentic experiences in nature hands-on experiences that will lead to holistic perspectives. Backcountry Press is a small publisher of web and print media whose themes explore natural history, ecology, and the western landscape. 33

34 Special Thanks to John O. Sawyer Special Thanks Thanks: 34