Redwood TreeRedwood TreeGabriela Salgado Gabriela Salgado

Mr.BuchmannMr.Buchmann

Biology 6thBiology 6th

StatisticsStatistics

Scientific name: Scientific name: Sequoia SempervirensSequoia Sempervirens Size:15 feet across 305 feet in height may Size:15 feet across 305 feet in height may

weigh upwards of 500 tons weigh upwards of 500 tons Color: soft redColor: soft red Tallest living trees on earthTallest living trees on earth Can live 2000 years. Can live 2000 years.

Habitat RangeHabitat Range       The coast redwoods are native to North The coast redwoods are native to North

America.America. The species naturally grow in only one place The species naturally grow in only one place

in the world: a strip along the Pacific Coast in the world: a strip along the Pacific Coast of North Americaof North America

This strip begins in southwestern Oregon This strip begins in southwestern Oregon and extends down the coast, just south of and extends down the coast, just south of Monterey in northwestern California.Monterey in northwestern California.

Other redwood species, were once much Other redwood species, were once much more widespread than they are today. more widespread than they are today. Paleobotanists have exposed fossil redwoods Paleobotanists have exposed fossil redwoods from around the western United States and from around the western United States and Canada, Northern Mexico, and along the Canada, Northern Mexico, and along the coasts of Europe and Asiacoasts of Europe and Asia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwood_National_and_State_Parks

Specific HabitatSpecific Habitat Infrequent frost moderate summer Infrequent frost moderate summer

temperatures.temperatures. Combination of high levels of Combination of high levels of

precipitation in winter combined with precipitation in winter combined with fog in the summer.fog in the summer.

The redwood likes the mild, moist The redwood likes the mild, moist climate of coastal northwest climate of coastal northwest California. California.

The trees enjoy lots of water from the The trees enjoy lots of water from the rain and fog which is prevalent in the rain and fog which is prevalent in the area. area.

Redwoods need fire to survive. The bark of Redwoods need fire to survive. The bark of the coast redwood contains tannins, the coast redwood contains tannins, chemicals which resist burning. chemicals which resist burning.

Holleran, Patrick. "Redwood National Park." Holleran, Patrick. "Redwood National Park." Park VisionPark Vision. 2011. . 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. <http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Redwood/Redwood2.html<http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Redwood/Redwood2.html>.>.

ReproductionReproduction Redwoods are monoecious, meaning both male (pollen-producing) and Redwoods are monoecious, meaning both male (pollen-producing) and

female (seed-bearing) cones are born on the same tree but on different female (seed-bearing) cones are born on the same tree but on different branches.branches.

The pollen is shed in winter or in spring, fertilized ovulate cones ripen in The pollen is shed in winter or in spring, fertilized ovulate cones ripen in early fall to shed their seeds in late fall and early winter.early fall to shed their seeds in late fall and early winter.

Cones are only produced after they reach the canopy and can use direct Cones are only produced after they reach the canopy and can use direct sunlight for energy. Each cone holds between 14 and 24 seeds. Redwoods sunlight for energy. Each cone holds between 14 and 24 seeds. Redwoods start to bear their seeds when they are about five to fifteen years old.start to bear their seeds when they are about five to fifteen years old.

The cones dry under conditions of low humidity and release their seeds. The cones dry under conditions of low humidity and release their seeds. Rains normally speed up seed dispersal. Rains normally speed up seed dispersal.

However, less than 5% of these seeds germinate, and only a few of these end However, less than 5% of these seeds germinate, and only a few of these end up growing into seedlings.up growing into seedlings.

Growth of young redwoods is best in full sunlight, but the trees are able to Growth of young redwoods is best in full sunlight, but the trees are able to grow in dense shade as well. grow in dense shade as well. PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis rates are rates are surprisingly high in surprisingly high in redwoods, even at low light intensities.redwoods, even at low light intensities.

ReproductionReproduction

http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/hemmeric_nata/reproduction.htm

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1259/616283117_f7cc4c8cb1.jpg

Population Size&Conservation Population Size&Conservation StatusStatus

2,500 square miles of redwood 2,500 square miles of redwood Much of the land is Much of the land is

unprotected. Three timber unprotected. Three timber companies own more than a companies own more than a third of the forestthird of the forest

The state of California and the The state of California and the federal government own 21 federal government own 21 percent, and smallholders own percent, and smallholders own the rest.the rest.

In addition to logging, In addition to logging, redwoods face the threats of redwoods face the threats of urban development, population urban development, population growth, and climate change.growth, and climate change. http://www.pollsb.com/

photos/o/20016-redwood.jpg

Human InteractionHuman Interaction Sadly, the greatest threat to the coast redwood trees is humans. In the past, Sadly, the greatest threat to the coast redwood trees is humans. In the past,

logging has been very destructive to the redwood forest. In fact, more than logging has been very destructive to the redwood forest. In fact, more than 95% of the original coastal redwood forests have been cut down95% of the original coastal redwood forests have been cut down

In 1900, the first activist organization, Sempervirens Club was establishedIn 1900, the first activist organization, Sempervirens Club was established The first redwood park, now known as the Big Basin Redwoods State Park, The first redwood park, now known as the Big Basin Redwoods State Park,

was set aside.was set aside. In 1907, In 1907, Muir Woods National Monument Muir Woods National Monument was preserved. was preserved. Save the Save the

Redwoods LeagueRedwoods League was established. was established. More lately, urban development is threatening the coastal redwoods, mainly More lately, urban development is threatening the coastal redwoods, mainly

in places close to growing population centersin places close to growing population centers

Human InteractionHuman Interaction

http://hotdoggerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/tree-hugger.jpg

http://www.toocooldude.com/wp-content/uploads/http://www.toocooldude.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/redwood-tree-tunnel.jpg.2007/08/redwood-tree-tunnel.jpg.

Works citedWorks cited King, Zelda. "Forest Habitats." PowerKids Life Science, Rosen Publishing Group, King, Zelda. "Forest Habitats." PowerKids Life Science, Rosen Publishing Group,

Inc., 2011. 28 Apr. 2011 <Inc., 2011. 28 Apr. 2011 <http://www.pklifescience.com/article/391/forest-habitatshttp://www.pklifescience.com/article/391/forest-habitats>. >.

Holleran, Patrick. "Redwood National Park." Holleran, Patrick. "Redwood National Park." Park VisionPark Vision. 2011. Web. 28 Apr. . 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. <http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Redwood/Redwood2.html>.2011. <http://www.shannontech.com/ParkVision/Redwood/Redwood2.html>.

  Hill, Alison. "Redwood Ecology." Hill, Alison. "Redwood Ecology." SFgate.comSFgate.com. 1996. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. . 1996. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. <http://www.sfgate.com/getoutside/1996/apr/rwecology.html>. <http://www.sfgate.com/getoutside/1996/apr/rwecology.html>.

Hemmerich, Natalie. "Reproduction of Coast Redwood." Hemmerich, Natalie. "Reproduction of Coast Redwood." BioWeb HomeBioWeb Home. 15 Apr. . 15 Apr. 2009. Web. 06 May 2011. 2009. Web. 06 May 2011. http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/hemmeric_nata/reproduction.htmhttp://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/hemmeric_nata/reproduction.htm

Wildlife Conservation Society. "The Tallest Trees – Wildlife Conservation Society Wildlife Conservation Society. "The Tallest Trees – Wildlife Conservation Society - Wildlife Conservation Society." - Wildlife Conservation Society." WCS.org - Wildlife Conservation SocietyWCS.org - Wildlife Conservation Society. 2011. . 2011. Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.wcs.org/where-we-work/north-america/united-Web. 06 May 2011. <http://www.wcs.org/where-we-work/north-america/united-states/saving-the-tallest-trees.aspx>.states/saving-the-tallest-trees.aspx>.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2438459188_2b94b4beef.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/2438459188_2b94b4beef.jpg