california Archives

Fire Management in California's Chaparal: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District conducted a controlled burn of central marine chaparral at Fort Ord, Calif., Oct. 15, to expose unexploded ordnance at the formerly utilized defense site. The burn, carefully coordinated with local agencies, lasted less than two hours and was timed so that prevailing winds would help blow the smoke away from population centers. The controlled burns are part of a comprehensive ordnance removal program at Fort Ord, which closed in 1994 under recommendation from the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. (U.S. Army photo/Released)

Fire Management in California’s Chaparral Harms Birds

April 2, 2018March 31, 2021 Science Connectedbiodiversity, biology, birds, california, ecology, fire, plant sciences

A fire management practice known as mastication, or mechanically crushing vegetation to prevent forest fires, threatens bird communities.

Botany Environment

California’s Urban Forests Have Lowest Tree Cover per Resident

January 23, 2018July 15, 2021 Science Connectedcalifornia, forests, trees, urban

Valued at $181 billion, California’s urban forests cover 90.8 square meters (109 square yards) per city resident, the lowest of all US states. By Neha Jain California’s urban forests are not just a pretty sight; they are an asset valued at a whopping $181 billion, finds a new study. But, according to the study, the state’s urban tree cover at 90.8 square meters (109 square yards) per city resident is the lowest among all US states. The good news is that there are 236 million spots available for more trees…