Upper Johnson Valley

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The Upper Johnson Valley Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) lies on a bajada at the foot of the Fry Mountains.

The vegetation is a creosote bush scrub, with Larrea tridentata and burro-weed, Ambrosia dumosa, the dominants.  There are scattered clonal rings of Larrea, some of which are 5-6 meters (17 - 19 feet) in diameter.  It is estimated that these larger clones may range in age up to 5,500 years.  (See also Soggy Dry Lake ACEC and Vicinity.)

Integrity:  There is a road in the area but, aside from this, there is virtually no disturbance.

Uses  Research, educational, observational.

Ref:  Sternberg, L.  1976.  Growth Forms of Larrea tridentata.  Madroņo 23:  408-417.

Vasek, Frank.  1980.  Creosote Bush: Long Lived Clones in the Mojave Desert.  Amer. J. Bot. 67.

March 1982

Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman

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