Alpine County Pinyon - Juniper Woodland
Map SatelliteA fine example of a pinyon-juniper woodland covers these low-relief hills at the eastern base of the Sierra. This particular habitat type is found on the lower slopes and bajadas of most mountainous areas in Nevada, Utah and the other intermountain states, but in California it is limited to the northeastern corner and in scattered localities at the eastern base of the Sierra, in portions of the White and Inyo Mountains and in the higher mountains of the Mojave Desert.
Eighty percent of this area is in this woodland type, with the dominant species being one-leaved pinyon, Pinus monophylla, Utah juniper, Juniperus osteosperma, and basin sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata. There is a small amount of sagebrush scrub and Jeffrey pine forest, Pinus jeffreyi, within the area.
This area forms an important part of the Carson deer herd winter range. While a number of species of birds are present, the pinyon jay, Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus, is particularly abundant.
There are hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks in the area as well as other volcanic formations.
Integrity: Virtually pristine, though a jeep road passes through a portion.
Use: Educational, research, observational.
November 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman