Coastal Redwood Biome
The old-growth redwood forest of the northern California coast consists of two giant coniferous evergreens, the coastal redwood and the Sitka spruce. The coastal redwood is by far the tallest, often reaching a height of 300 feet. The Sitka spruce is slightly smaller with a maximum height of 275 feet. These forests do not grow right on the coastline because of a low tolerance for salt. However, they can be found along watercourses within a few miles of the Pacific Ocean. The sparse understory, under the forest canopy, consists of red alder, thimbleberry and salmonberry, which provide nourishment for wildlife. Second-growth forests in the park may contain hemlock, Douglas fir and Western red cedar.
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Moist Temperate Coniferous Forest Biome
The moist temperate coniferous forest of the Pacific Northwest includes the area from the coastal ranges of northern California (below 5000 ft. elevation) to the southern coast of Alaska (below 2000 ft.). Because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the climate is mild and without temperature extremes. Precipitation varies from 50 inches per year in the southern portion of the biome, where relatively dry summers prevail, to 200 inches on the mountain slopes of Washington and southern British Columbia.
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