Rangelands of North America OAK Woodlands Global Rangelands Project

https://commons. wikimedia https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BLM_Winter_Bucket_List_-14-_Cache_Creek_Natural_Area,_California,_for_Eagle_Hikes_(15599189923).jpg Global Rangelands Project

California Oaks Savannas Texas and Oklahoma Oak Woodlands Three major regions: California Oaks Savannas Texas and Oklahoma Oak Woodlands Live Oak Shinnery Oak Midwestern Oak Woodlands Wrangle.org Global Rangelands Project

Characteristics of Oaks Oaks included deciduous and evergreen species. Oaks are defended by tannins which can be poisonous in spring Low forage value High wildlife value (cover and acorns) Nearly all oak sprout from base - thus can be difficult to control Generally fire-tolerant but… fire changes stand structure Oaks do not survive very cold winters Global Rangelands Project

California Oak Climate Mediterranean Climate Dry season averages 6 months Distinct north-south moisture gradient Climate Map: http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/san-jose/california/united-states/usca0993 San Jose, California Global Rangelands Project

Topography Generally flat with gentle slopes Some steeper slopes Atanamir,commons.wikimedia.org Oak Woodlands Topography: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CA_130-Hamilton.jpg Global Rangelands Project

Major Plants Oak trees are in the genus quercus which includes about 600 species And hybridization is common Global Rangelands Project

Major Plants – California Oak Woodlands Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) Most drought tolerant Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni) Chamise Foothill Pine Blue Oak Blue Oak: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Large_Blue_Oak.jpg Coast Live Oak: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quercus_Agrifolia.jpg Coast live oak Global Rangelands Project

Major Plants – Texas & Oklahoma Post Oak Live Oak Shinnery Oak Global Rangelands Project

Major Plants – Midwest White oak Burr oak Black oak Global Rangelands Project

Current Plant Communities California Oak Woodlands Tree and shrub species are similar to historic communities Understory is dominated by introduced annual grasses Annual grasses include soft chess, ripgut brome, wild oats Few natives Plant Communities: http://wrangle.org/archives/483 Wrangle.org Global Rangelands Project

Long-Term Trend Fire is a natural part of oak-woodland ecosystems and a driving force behind vegetation change. Protection from fire and grazing results in a gradual increase in shrubs increased fuel loads increases potential for crown fires http://wrangle.org/archives/480# Global Rangelands Project

Global Rangelands Project

Virtual tour https://www.flickr.com/photos/lorenkerns/8640510354/in/photostream/ Global Rangelands Project