Lyndi Strange

The Natural History of Big Sur by Paul Henson and Donald J. Usner is a collection of facts primarily about diversity of the Big Sur region in California. Big Surs complex ecology provides an excellent field of study for botanist, biologist, and many other scientists who wish to have a wide variety of life to study. Paul Henson, who has a doctorate degree in Wildlife Conservation, is a wildlife biologist with Scientific Resources, Inc. in Portland, Oregon. Donald J. Usner, environmental consultant in New Mexico, managed the Landels Hill-Big Creek Ecological Reserve in Big Sur for the University of California for several years. Together, Henson and Usner wrote this book with the main purpose being to describe various regions of Big Sur, California and explain why they exist as they do. It also serves as an extensive guide to public lands and wildlife found in this extraordinary region. Throughout the book, the authors emphasize the uniqueness of Big Sur by explaining the geology, many plant communities, animal habitats, and other aspects of Big Sur. This book thoroughly delineates the ecological diversity of Big Sur. Each year, millions of tourists visit Big Sur, California to enjoy the breath-taking scenery of coastline and mountains. Although Big Sur may be world-renowned for its inspiring scenery, many do not know of the great ecological diversity found in this region. There is not anywhere else in the world that exhibits fog-loving redwoods on one slope of a canyon and dry-climate plants on another. Similarly, sea otters live near dry-climate lizards. For years, Big Sur has inspired poets, artists, hikers, and naturalists. Big Sur is truly a region of diversity that scientists continue to study even today. The geology of Big Sur is a main factor in its diverse ecology. One of the most significant geological features of Big Sur is the Santa Lucia mountain range. This range of spectacular mountains borders the Pacific Ocean and extends inland as far as 20 miles. They have a rugged face, which suggests their youth. The slow process of erosion has not worn down this particular region in Big Sur. The author claims that, The Santa Lucia range has been uplifted from the sea within the past two million years This statement can be further

Lyndi Strange
explained through the science of plate tectonics. Coastal California occupies the border of two massive moving tectonic plates: the Pacific and North American plates. It is through the collision of these two plates that that have helped shape the Santa Lucia Range. According to the author, five million years ago the Santa Lucia Range began to rise dramatically. The forces behind this event are currently unexplained. However, some geologist believe that the North American and Pacific plates were not moving exactly parallel, and the land west of the San Andreas fault was squeezed between them. This buckling caused by the moving plates is seen on the coastal ranges. The geological history of Big Sur, especially the Santa Lucia range, is one of the most important factors that shape Big Surs diversity and natural history. Climate, next to geological history, is another factor that contributes to Big Surs diversity. The climate is closely compared to that of the Mediterranean coastline. Both regions are dry in the summer and rainy in the winter with mild temperatures year-round. Less than one percent of the earth experiences a Mediterranean clime. There are, however, two dominant influences that cause this rare climate: the presence of ocean water and summertime flow of dry, westerly air. The North Pacific High is the most influential factor on Big Surs Mediterranean climate. This giant system of high pressure is responsible for the westerly winds and summer drought along with the summer fog. This high-pressure system is considered a stable weather phenomenon. The cool Pacific Ocean is the second factor that influences Big Surs Mediterranean climate. Water temperature changes more slowly than air temperatures; thus, the Pacific Ocean changes its temperature only slightly throughout the seasons. The cold, dense air provides stability in the atmosphere. It is also unable to hold moisture, which leads to a dry climate. However, the ocean looses its influence further inland. As a result, in land areas experience more extremes in daily and seasonal temperatures. El Nio, a unique weather pattern of California, occurs every few years around Christmas time, causes disrupt in Big Surs weather. This system consists of warmer water, which, in turn, has warmer air. As a result, a moderate increase in rainfall occurs. A positive effect of El Nio is the moisture it brings to the

Lyndi Strange
Ecuadorian and Peruvian coast. However, this same system causes a die-off of fish and birds that rely on cold water temperatures. The Mediterranean climate along with stable weather patterns makes Big Sur a unique region. Big Surs shoreline and intertidal area also exemplify Big Surs ecological diversity. The intertidal area is a narrow strip of wave-beaten rock that is exposed during high and low tides. Hundreds of species of plants and animals live here and compete for living space. Wave shock is a predominant issue when it comes to Big Surs coast. In fact, there are nearly 8,000 waves that strike the coast each day. The plants and animals that live in this region have adapted to these conditions in the sense that they can anchor themselves down or hide beneath rocks or other clusters of animals. According to the author, the intertidal region is one of the most rewarding areas of Big Sur to study. There is an abundance of animals ready to be studied analytically. For example, snails may seem to be monotonous. However, there are nearly 65,000 species worldwide. Big Sur is home to several species, which include limpets, periwinkles, and abalones. Another creature of the intertidal region is the starfish. The way this particular animal feeds is perhaps one of the most bizarre processes in the intertidal area. The sea star straddles a muscle and pries it open as little as 1/100th of an inch and then descends its stomach out of its body, sliding it through the crack between the mussels paired shells. Another animal that is native to the intertidal region is the sea otter. Although recovering from extinction just over a century ago, the sea otter is a common sight in Big Sur. Sea otters are well adapted for a life spent primarily on the Pacific Ocean. One of their most remarkable adaptations is their thick coat of fur. Sea otters lack an insulating layer of blubber; instead, it must rely on a think coat of fur to maintain its body heat. Further, this dense coat also has the capacity of trapping air bubbles, which increases its insulative quality. Additionally, several species of sea lions and seals are prevalent along Big Surs intertidal area. These animals have adapted to the cool Pacific temperatures through an insulating layer of fat beneath their skin. Lastly, another one of the many interesting sea animals is the grey whale. It spends nearly the

Lyndi Strange
entire summer feeding on amphipods, which are tiny shrimplike creatures. This results in a thick layer of blubber that protects them from the frigid arctic seas during the winter. There are several other marine animals that are common sights along Big Surs coast. Blue whales, killer whales, and dolphins are few of the most popular. Scientists who study this region of great diversity often reap great results of new knowledge and understanding. Big Sur houses a great variety of plants that are even observed from Highway 1. Many plants that are found here are endemic, unique, to the region. In fact, some plants are so limited in their distribution that their entire population could easily be destroyed. The rugged land and unique climate are two important factors that allow such a diversity of plants to exist. One of the most prominent climate adaptations is that most of the plants in Big Sur are evergreen. Although summer drought is stressful on most plants, winter is typically mild enough where there is no need for the plants become dormant. Although Big Sur contains a wide variety of plans, they are not randomly dispersed. Rather, they grow in patterns that often reflect environmental conditions. For example, plants that favor a water environment grow along the banks of creeks. Further, dry-climate plants are found on arid slopes, where as coolclimate plants are found in canyons and ravines. To understand such diverseness, botanists have created a system of plant communities, which is a group of plants that tend to grow together in a particular area. Plant communities are merely theoretical and are only used to simplify complex patterns of vegetation in Big Sur. For example, botanists have divided coastal scrub into two main areas: northern and southern scrub. Many scientists have studies the northern scrub whereas few have attempted to study the complex northern vegetation. Even fewer have attempted to study the mixing between the two that occurs in the central Californian coast. Redwood trees are another classic example of a plant community. Botanists have divided this unique species of tree into three main forests: pure redwood, redwood-riparian, and redwood-mixed hardwood forests. Pure redwood forests are not usually located directly on a large stream or river because sunlight can reach the forest floor through the open stream

Lyndi Strange
corridor. Instead, they are found on moist, northern facing slopes of dark canyons or steam flats. Typically, these forests are characterized by a lack of plant diversity. Redwoods are dominant in a pure redwood forests, leaving nothing else an environment to grow. In contrast, redwood-riparian forests are restricted to canyon bottoms where streams and rivers flow. The overall plant diversity is much greater here than in the pure redwood forest. The open stream corridor allows for sunlight to enter the forest floor, and additional moisture is available for plants along the banks of streams. Redwood-mixed hardwood forests occur on moist northern-facing slopes. Here, light is less available, and it represents a change from a redwood forest to a hardwood forest. Although conditions are drier in this environment, there is enough moisture for redwoods to grow with the hardwoods. Scrubs and redwood forests are two of the many diverse examples of diverse plant communities that exist in Big Sur. Wildfire is another factor that makes Big Sur a unique and diverse region. It is a magnificent and frightening sight to see sweeping across the mountainsides. However, it is an essential part of the ecology of Big Sur. Occasional fire is a factor in nearly all Mediterranean ecosystems. This is due to abundant winter rain followed by drought in the summer. Winter rain encourages abundant growth whereas summer drought causes the growth to dry out and become easily flammable. For example, fungi and bacteria are inhibited from decaying in the summertime dry climate, which causes a build up of dead vegetation. Wildfire is actually beneficial in burning away the dead vegetation, which allows for new vegetation to take its place. Wildfire has two major benefits: increasing in food plants and an increase in mobility caused by the clearing of dense vegetation. Wildfire is a characteristic of the Big Sur ecosystem that makes it unique. Big Sur is known as a place where one can experience many different, exciting wildlife encounters all within a small geographic are. In contrast to the overall diversity of Big Sur, there are relatively few species of amphibians and reptiles found here. However, there is an ample diversity of birds. This is due to Big Surs coastal location, which puts the region on the

Lyndi Strange
migration route of many western birds. The mild climate also allows for many species to live here during the winter months. Further, land birds find an abundance of shelter among Big Surs terrestrial plant communities. Additionally, Big Sur is home to several endangered bird species. For example, California condors and bald eagles were once abundant in this region. However, the last sighting of a condor was in 1980 and sighting of bald eagles have declined rapidly since the construction of Highway 1. On the other hand, Big Sur is one of the best places in Central California to look for falcons. Other sensitive species that are found in Big Sur include the black swift, purple martin, snowy plover, and yellow warbler. Indeed, the abundance of rare and endangered birds adds to overall diversity of Big Sur. Big Surs human history helps explain the uniqueness of Big Sur. In general, California is assumed to been settled 10,000 years ago; however, it is unclear when the first humans arrived in this region. The most ancient settlement is found in San Luis Obispo County near Big Sur and is dated at 8430 years before the present. When the first Europeans arrived in this region, Big Sur was teeming with wildlife. Condors, now extinct, fed on beached whale carcasses and thousands of sea otters swam in the surf. However, tourism began to increase as Big Sur became nationally recognized as one of the most scenic places in the United States. Additionally, Highway 1 was completed in 1937, which opened the gates of tourism. On the other hand, residents became more connected and were able to commute with ease. Although the environment has suffered from the influx of construction, the population of Big Sur has become more diverse. Big Sur may look natural and wild; however, it has undergone significant changes as a result of human activity. The landscape has been altered by human activities such as ranching, logging, road building, home and commercial development, deliberate burning, mining, and the introduction of nonnative plants and animals. For example, commercial cattle have worn down terraces and gullies into the hillside. Grazing compacts the soil and promotes erosion. Another example of how human activity has changed the Big Sur environment is tourism. Nearly three

Lyndi Strange
million visitors drive along Highway 1 each year. This influx of visitors has caused commercial activity to increase exponentially. Further, litter has become an issue. Hunting excursions are another popular tourist activity, which hurts the diversity of animals found in Big Sur. Public lands, such as state parks, show off Big Surs great diversity and beauty. Even before Highway 1 opened, people came to Big Sur to seek solitude and grandeur. The earliest tourist used paths created by the pioneers, some of which followed trading routes created by early Native Americans. When Monterey National Forest was founded in 1906 the use of these trails increased dramatically. Also, the 1930s and 1940s saw a rapid expansion of access trails into the Big Sur backcountry. Trails and highways help to open up Big Sur to the general public so that they too can enjoy the beauty and diversity found in this region. The Natural History of Big Sur explains in great detail how diverse the ecology of Big Sur, California is. The author dissects each individual aspect of the ecology and explains the diversity with specific examples. The author does maintain his stated focus of describing the ecological diversity of Big Sur. He presents ample information that allows one to discover the ecology of Big Sur without going there. The author achieves the overall purpose of this book by not only describing the diversity but also explaining why Big Sur is diverse. Further, this book makes a contribution to science by recording in accurate detail Big Surs ecology. The author has done plenty of research to back up the facts stated in this book. This book could also help other scientists studying the region. Although being a collection of facts, The Natural History of Big Sur was readable, interesting, and understandable.