The Central Valley is situated in central California. It is big and flat, which is a contrast figure with regard to hills and mountains present in most parts of California. It has two dominant rivers namely the Sacramento and San Joaquin. The two rivers merge at a point to create Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, which can be said to be distinctive concerning the way it is situated since it is positioned at the rear side of Carquinez Strait. Depending on the location, the valley as subdivided into two: The Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. The former harbors rivers such as Sacramento, Pit, Feather, Yuba, Dry, and American while the latter has Kings, Kaweah, Tule, and Kern. The existence of rivers in the central valley region plays a significant role in the existence of both aquatic and terrestrial Biosystems in the region.
Ecology
Central Valley has varieties of Biosystems some of which are endangered species as outlined in the IUCN Red List. Also known as Mediterranean ecoregions, Central Valley is divided into four main regions: Ecoregion 6, 7, 8, and 85. Region 6 has wide varieties of biotics which include conifer woodlands, oak, coastal grassland, and many more. The area is inhabited by animals such as wolf, tule elk, grizzly bear, and antelopes with longhorns. Some of the endangered species worth further analysis in the region may include redwood and red-legged frog. Therefore, it is crucial to have an in-depth analysis of how each of these biotic interacts with each other in this particular ecosystem.
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Rana draytonii
Also known as the red-legged frog, Rana draytonii , is a frog species that can only be found in California. It exists commonly along the streams in some counties of California. The species normally exists around quiet and permanent water bodies, streams, lakes, litters of leaves and drainage areas. The presence of rivers in the Central Valley region provides that particular environment accustomed to water presence.
Characteristics. It is the largest ranging from 1.75 to 5.25 inches measured from snout tip to the vent. It can appear gray, brown, olive, red, or orange with trails of dark flecks patterns or spots (Barry & Fellers, 2013). The back side of the red-legged frog has a ridge running from hip to the eye. It has large and webbed feet. Also, from the lip to the jaw rear is a cream, orange, or white like stripes with bold black mottling around the groin.
Geographic range. Very few drainage systems are currently known to support the red-legged frog. In southern California, it has disappeared into most regions Los Angeles. There are few samples in drainage areas in Central Valley.
Habitat and threats. The red-legged exists mostly in the quiet permanent aquatic system. During summer, the frog estivates in small mammal burrows and even leaf litter. They breed in permanent or water bodies such as ponds marshes, or other quite streams (Richmond et al , 2014). Sometimes, they exist in lakes. The eggs are always attached to any emergent vegetation, which is floating. In recap, it can live in both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystem.
Sequoia sempervirens
Also known as coast redwood, Sequoia sempervirens belongs to family Cupressaceae. It includes one of the tallest trees on the surface of the earth and has a lifespan of around 2200 years (Quirk et al , 2013). It is native to the coastal California region in the US. Mostly, the area is accustomed to wet winters as well as cool, foggy summers. Notably, the drips of fog are crucial to the watering budget of its survival. Redwood is a beautiful tree to plant in a garden; however, it may become too large. Also, it will need the sizeable area as well as adequate moisture to thrive, meaning, it is sensitive to the drying winds, quality of water and air, and low humidity. It is classified as an endangered species since it is one of the most exploited trees in the region while replacements are done by the deliberate or accidental planting of others such as Pseudotsuga menziesii.
Characteristics. The tree trunk is much enlarged at the bottom with round swellings. When young, and narrow conic shape when aged. Also, it is irregular and open. Its leaves are 1-30mm wide and it has stomata on both surfaces, twigs are slender in shape, dark green, and it has buds, which are scaly.
Geographic range. It is confined in coastal regions of California, especially on the North West sides. Mostly, it exists in alluvial soils, where it builds pure stands or coexist with other species such as Pseudotsuga menziesii or other conifers occurring locally. The endangered status was introduced due to its historical abundance and the rate of exploitation. Even though the number is still large, the IUCN classified it as an endangered species since there is an increased rate in the reduction; therefore, uncertainty in its existence.
Habitat and threats. The redwood forest forms a distinguishing lowland coastal flora. The hilly side of upland sites has a wide variety of redwood. The tree faces extinction due to deliberate cutting while replacements are made with the use of other tree species. Notably, the remaining larger species is now under protected zones as opposed to the indigenous number before Europeans came to America. Urbanization is another factor that poses a threat to the existence of redwood in the central valley. Most people log the trees to settle, others for agricultural activities and some other functions.
Central Valley in California has varieties of Biosystems. The presence of two rivers that is the Sacramento and San Joaquin River make it a place of interest. Some species such as Rana draytonii and Sequoia sempervirens forms part of the IUCN red list, which makes it more fascinating. The former has become too scarce nowadays to an extent it is even harder to see one. However, the redwood still exists in abundance, but the number continues to deteriorate steadily, which has prompted relevant authorities to classify it as one of the endangered species in the region.
References
Barry, S. J., & Fellers, G. M. (2013). History and status of the California red-legged frog ( Rana draytonii) in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA. Herpetological Conservation and Biology , 8 (2), 456-502.
Quirk, J., McDowell, N. G., Leake, J. R., Hudson, P. J., & Beerling, D. J. (2013). Increased susceptibility to drought‐induced mortality in Sequoia sempervirens (Cupressaceae) trees under Cenozoic atmospheric carbon dioxide starvation. American Journal of Botany , 100 (3), 582-591.
Richmond, J. Q., Backlin, A. R., Tatarian, P. J., Solvesky, B. G., & Fisher, R. N. (2014). Population declines lead to replicate patterns of internal range structure at the tips of the distribution of the California red-legged frog ( Rana draytonii ). Biological Conservation , 172 , 128-137.
