Klamath Siskiyou Coniferous Forests - A Global Ecoregion

One of the three richest temperate coniferous forests in the world

About the Area
The Klamath-Siskiyou ecoregion is considered a global centre of biodiversity because it harbours one of the three richest temperate coniferous forests in the world (along with the Southeastern Conifer forests of North America and the forests of the Primorye region of the Russian Far East).

Close to 30 conifer species grow here, including the two ancient and endemic species of the Brewer spruce and Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana).

The uplifted Coast Ranges, the volcanic Cascades, and the ancient volcanic roots of the Sierra Nevada surround this ecoregion; numerous species would have found it difficult to survive under the harsh geologic conditions of these surrounding areas, but for the forests of Klamath Siskiyou.

Two other reasons for the high numbers of endemic species found here are the complexity of habitats and the serpentine soils (known for harbouring unusual plant species capable of growing in the soils' naturally toxic conditions).

Local Species
The forests are home to a variety of conifers such as the Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), Western red cedar (Thuja plicata), Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Mountain hemlock (T. mertensiana), Noble fir (Abies procera), and the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).

Also found here is the endemic Siskiyou mountain salamander (Plethodon stormi) in addition to the Del Norte salamander (P. elongatus), Clouded salamander (Aneides ferreus), the threatened foothill Yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii), Western skink (Eumeces skiltonianus), Sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus), and the California whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis).

Many kinds of fish inhabit the the region's Rogue and Trinity rivers, including four endangered species: the Lost River sucker, the shortnose sucker, the northern California coho salmon, and the steelhead trout. Seven animal species that once inhabited the area including the grizzly bear, gray wolf (Canis lupus), and bighorn sheep have now disappeared.

Threats
Virtually all old-growth stands of Port Orford cedar have been eliminated, and an exotic root-disease, the spread of which is facilitated by intensive logging, road building and other disturbances, threatens to wipe out the ones that remain, highlighting the need to protect the last roadless areas.

Resources
• NationalGeographic.com