Briceberg Area

This area in the foothills of the Sierra contains three typical communities. The gray pine foothill woodland community, with Pinus sabiniana dominant, is found primarily on the north and upper slopes. On the south-facing slopes chaparral is the prime cover, and along the Merced River and Bear Creek there is a riparian association with cottonwood, Populus fremontii, and sycamore, Platanus racemosa, the dominants.

Animal life is typical of the low Sierra foothill region. Of note is the rare limestone salamander, Hydromantes brunus, which occurs in this and a nearby area.

Rocks in the area are of the Briceberg formation, Paleozoic, or possibly Upper Jurassic, marine sedimentaries and metasedimentaries which include slate, some chert, sheared metasandstone with lenses of limestone and metavolcanics.

Integrity: There are houses, power lines, trails, roads and some abandoned mines in the area; however, much of it is undisturbed.

Use: Research, educational on public portion; remainder private.

Ref: Gorman, J. 1954. A New Species of Salamander from Central California. Herpetologica 10 (4), pp. 153-159.

July 1976