Question

Question 4: California has many interesting ecosystems and endemic species.

a. What characteristics does California have that result in such diversity?

b. What are the major threats to California’s endemic plants and animals?

Answer 1

4

a) California is the one of the largest ecological diversity area in United states. This is mainly due to variety of climate, topographic diversity. From the shores of the Pacific to crest of the SierThey have highest points like Mount Whitney at 14495 feet and Death valley 282 feet below sea level. Glaciation , volcanic deposition, subterranian rock and sedementary layers, and gradual erosion creates specific topological features that help in high ecological diversity. The climatic conditions include very hot desert to cool condition favour different types of flora and fauna. This state have temperate rain forest in the pacific north west and subtropical arid desert of mexico from north to south this create distinct local climate. The state have this kind of land features help alpine medows, sandy beaches, desert scrub, oak wood land , grass land, moist red wod forest , fresh water streams, and marshes.

b) Urbanization , pollution, deforrestation , mining , over grazing by animals, wild fires , conversion of forest land in to agriculture, invasive alien species, and habitate destruction are the major threat to california's diversity.