The Sierra Nevada mountains are located in the western part of California, between the Central Valley and the Basin and Range province. This mountain range is 400 miles long and 70 miles wide. It can be referred to ecologically as a "sky island," as it is surrounded by areas with a significantly drier climates. The granite mountains rise from 5,000 feet in the north to more than 14,000 feet in the south. Most have experienced significant glacial erosion.
From the Central Valley and Owens Valley floor to the highest peaks, there are seven distinct biotic zones from the foothills to the alpine. They are habitat for 135 plant species that are federally listed as threatened, endangered or sensitive, along with 80 birds, 40 mammals, 10 reptiles, 20 amphibians and 30 fish on the California State Special Animal list. There are many bird species both rare and common that visit the parks seasonally. Online, you can find extensive information on the Yosemite National Parks bird page and download the Yosemite Bird List, as well as getting more information about Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park's natural resources.
Plants
Yosemite encompasses several elevation zones:
- Foothill-Woodland Zone (1,800 — 3,000 feet or 549 — 900 meters)
- Lower Montane Forest (3,000 — 6,000 feet or 900 — 1,800 meters)
- Upper Montane Forest (6,000 — 8,000 feet or 1,800 — 2,450 meters)
- Subalpine Forest (8,000 — 9,500 feet or 2,450 — 2,900 meters)
- Alpine Zone (9,500 — 13,000 feet or 2,900 — 3,900 meters)
More information on the plants can be found here on the Yosemite National Parks website, along with plant lists for conifers, ferns, sensitive plants, exotic species and a general flora list. There is also a park-wide vegetation map that provides general information.
Sequoia Kings Canyon also has a significant elevation gradient: 1,360 — 14,494 feet or 412 — 4,417 meters. This area supports 1,200 species from the giant sequoias to the alpine habitats. More information about the plants in Sequoia Kings Canyon can be found here, along with a vascular plant list. There is also a list of the 30 biggest giant sequoias and their approximate locations.
