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Each year millions of people visit the rugged California coastline and wild mountains known as Big Sur. Finally, here is a book that is both a natural history of this beautiful region and an excellent guide to its extensive public lands. The first section introduces the area's geology, climate, flora, fauna, and human history, while the second section describes selected sites, trails, and features of interest.
List of contents
Illustrations
Tables
Maps
Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART I. BIG SUR NATURAL HISTORY
1. Big Sur Geology
Topography
Plate Tectonics
Early Central California Geological History
Basement Rock Assemblages
Overlying Formations
Faults
Recent Events
2. Weather and Climate
Regional Climate
Local Weather Patterns
3. Big Sur Shoreline
Introduction
Tidal Zonation
Seaweeds
Common Intertidal Animals
Seabirds and Shorebirds
Marine Mammals
4. Big Sur Plant Communities
Introduction
Coastal Scrub
Chaparral
Redwood Forest
Riparian Woodland and Freshwater Streams
Big Sur Grasslands
Oak Woodland
Mixed Evergreen Forest
5. Fire Ecology
Fire in the Santa Lucia Range
Fire Behavior
Effects of Fire
Plant Adaptations to Fire
Effects of Fire on Animals
Fire Management
6. Big Sur Fauna Overview
Introduction
Reptiles and Amphibians
Birds
Terrestrial Mammals
7. Human History
Introduction
Natives and the Big Sur Environment
Early Exploration and Settlement
Highway 1 and Recent Settlers
8. Changes in the Big Sur Environment
Introduction
Ranching
Logging
Mining
Offshore Oil Drilling
Recreation
Nonnative Plants
Contents
Residential Development and Roads
Changes in Fauna
PART II. FIELD GUIDE TO BIG SUR PUBLIC LANDS
Introduction
Maps of the Big Sur Area
Coastal State Parks
Garrapata State Park
Point Sur Lighthouse
Andrew Molera State Park
Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park
Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park
Los Padres National Forest: Coastal Areas
Pfeiffer Beach
Pacific Valley Area
Los Padres National Forest: Ventana Wilderness
Big Sur River Watershed
Little Sur River Watershed
Carmel River Watershed
Arroyo Seco Watershed
Cone Peak Area
Salmon Creek-Villa Creek Area
Maps
Index
About the author
Paul Henson is a wildlife biologist with Scientific Resources, Inc. in Portland, Oregon. Donald J. Usner is an environmental consultant in New Mexico. This book took shape while both were working in Big Sur. Valerie A. Kells, a freelance illustrator in Virginia, has a degree in Natural History and was part of this project from its start.
Summary
Yearly millions of people visit the area of rugged California coastline and wild mountains known as Big Sur. This book presents both a natural history of this beautiful region and a guide to its extensive public lands. It introduces the area's geology, climate, flora, fauna, and human history. It describes selected sites, trails, and features.
Additional text
“An excellent introduction to this section of the Central Coast for visitors.”
