Eastern Biotic Zones
The four highest eastern biotic zones are the same as the western zones, but at a higher elevation, due to less precipitation:
- Alpine zone: 12,000 feet (3700 m) and above
- Subalpine forest: 10,500 feet (3200 m) - 12,000 feet (3700 m)
- Upper montane forest: 9,000 feet (2700 m) - 10,500 feet (3200 m)
- Lower montane forest: 7,000 feet (2100 m) - 9,000 feet (2700 m) (heavily dominated by Jeffrey Pines).
In the Owens Valley, the Foothill Woodland Zone is replaced by a Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Zone, characterized by Single-leaf Pinyon Pines, Sierra Junipers. The underbrush contains Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima). Jeffrey Pines may occur along streams. Notable animals in this zone include the Pinyon Jay and the Desert Bighorn Sheep. The Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Zone extends down to 5,000 feet (1500 m) elevation.
Below 5,000 feet (1500 m), there is not enough precipitation to support trees. The zones below this elevation are the Sagebrush Scrub Zone, Saltbush Scrub Zone, and the Alkali Sink Zone. These zones are distinguished by soil salinity.
Read more about this topic: Ecology Of The Sierra Nevada
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