Sierra Foothill Range Field Station
Map SatelliteThis field station is covered primarily by an open oak woodland with extensive grasslands and some chaparral. Along the Yuba River, which borders the station on the south, and particularly along Dry Creek in the northern portion, there are riparian communities.
The oaks present include blue oak, Quercus douglasii, interior live oak, Quercus wislizenii, and, in the higher elevations, black oak, Quercus kelloggii. Gray pine, Pinus sabiniana, is abundant and some ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, occurs. Endemic grasses include Nassella pulchra, Poa secunda ssp. secunda, Melica californica, Elymus glaucus, and Koeleria macrantha. Among the chaparral components are buck brush, Ceanothus cuneatus, toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia, coffeeberry, Rhamnus californica, and poison oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum.
Along Dry Creek an excellent example of a foothill riparian community is found. Trees include cottonwood, Populus fremontii, sycamore, Platanus racemosa, valley oak, Quercus lobata, bay, Umbellularia californica, black walnut, Juglans hindsii, and Oregon ash, Fraxinus latifolia.
Animals are typical of the region and include ring-tailed cat, Bassariscus astutus, mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, which use the station as winter range, and the introduced turkey, Meleagris gallopavo.
Steelhead, Salmo gairdnerii gairdnerii, spawn in the watercourses, as do the introduced shad, Alosa sapidissima.
Integrity: All but 70 - 80 hectares (175 - 200 acres) are grazed. The ungrazed areas have been protected from livestock since 1971. There are buildings and roads on the station.
Use: Research, educational, observational.
July 1982
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman