Redwood Forest Information
Redwood forests line the coasts of California and southern Oregon. Redwood forests get their name from the signature redwood trees that dominate the landscape. These forests contain diverse landscapes and a rich variety of plant and animal life. In the past, redwood forests were also home to a number of Native American tribes. In an effort to preserve them, many redwood forests have become designated state parks. These include Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park and Prairie Creek Redwood State Park. Does this Spark an idea?
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Trees and Plants
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With life spans that extend to hundreds and even thousands of years, and reaching heights of up to 250 feet, redwood trees are the tallest and most ancient trees on the planet. Redwood trees are also extremely robust. Their strength can be attributed to large amounts of tannin in the wood that minimize insect damage, their thick bark and the nutrient-rich soil from which they grow. In addition to these towering trees, redwood forests also contain a wide variety of other tree species, plants, flowers and bushes. Among them are the Douglas fir, bigleaf maple, woodrose, sword fern, redwood sorrel and evergreen huckleberry.
Wildlife
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Redwood forests are home to a diverse array of wildlife. Common redwood forest inhabitants include large and small mammals like black bears, bobcats, brown bats, raccoons, black-tailed deer and the gray fox. Bird species such as ravens, northern spotted owls, red-tailed hawks and winter wrens populate the skies. Marine animals such as sea otters and salmon fill the forests' rivers and streams. Reptiles and amphibians such as the red-legged frog and Pacific giant salamander crawl along the cool forest floor. Redwood forests are also home to a number of endangered species including the bald eagle, the brown pelican and the marbled murrelet.
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Climate
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Redwood forests maintain 40- to 60-degree temperatures. This provides a cool and comfortable environment with plenty of shade for the animals that live there. Redwood forests can receive anywhere from 50 to 100 inches of rainfall a year. The consistently moist climate---bolstered by thick of fogs that envelope redwood forests---is perfectly suited for redwood trees. Moisture from the fog helps to protect the trees from danger due to droughts that sometimes occur during the summer.
Activities
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Redwood forests have become popular destinations for tourists and locals alike. Many parks provide a number of activities that individuals and families can enjoy. Hiking is a popular redwood forest activity. It enables visitors to appreciate the beauty of the forest while they get some exercise as well. Many parks also have campgrounds where visitors can experience what the redwood forest is like at night. Certain parks may even occasionally allow visitors to fish in the streams and rivers. In some parks however, this is limited to catch and release fishing. Visitors should be sure to consult park rules before engaging in fishing activities.
Threats
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Despite their beauty, many redwood forests remain under threat from human activities. In the redwood forest, occasional fires serve to help maintain the forest's health by reducing brush and promoting new plant growth. These fires often occur naturally due to lightning strikes. They were also intentionally set for maintenance by the Native American tribes who lived there. Periodic fires help to control insects and diseases and recycle nutrients. Unfortunately, excessive conservation efforts to prevent and put out the fires have made surviving redwood trees more vulnerable to disease. Also, heavy logging activity that occurred during the 1800s stripped many forests of a substantial number of valuable redwood trees. Today, many efforts are in progress to reverse these effects and preserve the beauty of the redwood forests.
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