Fort Bragg Terraces (Bailey)
Published: September 22, 2009, 4:38 pm
Updated: September 22, 2009, 4:38 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Mark McGinleyThis subsection is on an elevated coastal plain that is between mountains of the northern California Coast Ranges and the
Pacific Ocean. It has a temperate and humid climate, with much summer
fog. MLRA 4b.
Subsection 263Ah, Coastal terraces near Navarro River (Robert Ettner)
Lithology and Stratigraphy
This subsection contains predominantly clastic Pleistocene marine deposits and Franciscan marine sedimentary rocks of the Coastal Belt.
Subsection 263Ah, Big River (James R. Nelson)
Geomorphology
This subsection is on an elevated coastal plain with several levels of terraces. The terraces are nearly level, but they are deeply dissected to expose Franciscan rocks in ravines. The uppermost terrace is about 800 feet above mean sea-level. Ocean currents, waves, and wind are active along the outer edges of the terraces. Fluvial erosion is the main geomorphic process on the terraces, although eolian erosion and deposition has been active in the past. Mass wasting is another process that is active on steep ravine slopes.
Soils
The soils on the terraces are mostly Typic and Plinthic Tropohumults and Dystropepts. Those in Franciscan rock terrain are mostly Ultic Hapudalfs. Less extensive, but notable for the “pygmy forest” on them, are Albaqults and Duraquods. The soil temperature regimes are isomesic. Soil moisture regimes are mostly udic with some aquic.
Vegetation
The predominant plant community is Redwood series. Grand fir and western hemlock series also occur. Bishop pine series and Pygmy cypress series occur on Albaqults and Duraquods. Red alder series is common in riparian areas.
Characteristic series by lifeform include:
Dune vegetation: Native dunegrass series, European beachgrass series, Sand - verbena - beach bursage series.
Grasslands: Introduced perennial grassland series, Pacific reedgrass series.
Forests and woodlands: Beach pine series, Bishop pine series, Grand fir series, Pygmy cypress series, Red alder series, Redwood series, Western hemlock series.
Climate
The mean annual precipitation is about 40 to 50 inches; there is considerable summer fog. Mean annual temperature is about 50° to 53° F, and there is less than 14° F difference between lowest and highest monthly means. The mean freeze-free period is about 300 days.
Surface Water
Water runs off of the terraces slowly and the broader terraces are poorly drained between ravines that drain the edges of the terraces more rapidly.
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Citation
USFS (Content Source);Mark McGinley (Topic Editor) "Fort Bragg Terraces (Bailey)". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth September 22, 2009; Last revised Date September 22, 2009; Retrieved May 23, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Fort_Bragg_Terraces_(Bailey)>
This subsection is on an elevated coastal plain that is between mountains of the northern California Coast Ranges and the
Pacific Ocean. It has a temperate and humid climate, with much summer
fog. MLRA 4b.
Subsection 263Ah, Coastal terraces near Navarro River (Robert Ettner)
Lithology and Stratigraphy
This subsection contains predominantly clastic Pleistocene marine deposits and Franciscan marine sedimentary rocks of the Coastal Belt.
Subsection 263Ah, Big River (James R. Nelson)
Geomorphology
This subsection is on an elevated coastal plain with several levels of terraces. The terraces are nearly level, but they are deeply dissected to expose Franciscan rocks in ravines. The uppermost terrace is about 800 feet above mean sea-level. Ocean currents, waves, and wind are active along the outer edges of the terraces. Fluvial erosion is the main geomorphic process on the terraces, although eolian erosion and deposition has been active in the past. Mass wasting is another process that is active on steep ravine slopes.
Soils
The soils on the terraces are mostly Typic and Plinthic Tropohumults and Dystropepts. Those in Franciscan rock terrain are mostly Ultic Hapudalfs. Less extensive, but notable for the “pygmy forest” on them, are Albaqults and Duraquods. The soil temperature regimes are isomesic. Soil moisture regimes are mostly udic with some aquic.
Vegetation
The predominant plant community is Redwood series. Grand fir and western hemlock series also occur. Bishop pine series and Pygmy cypress series occur on Albaqults and Duraquods. Red alder series is common in riparian areas.
Characteristic series by lifeform include:
Dune vegetation: Native dunegrass series, European beachgrass series, Sand - verbena - beach bursage series.
Grasslands: Introduced perennial grassland series, Pacific reedgrass series.
Forests and woodlands: Beach pine series, Bishop pine series, Grand fir series, Pygmy cypress series, Red alder series, Redwood series, Western hemlock series.
Climate
The mean annual precipitation is about 40 to 50 inches; there is considerable summer fog. Mean annual temperature is about 50° to 53° F, and there is less than 14° F difference between lowest and highest monthly means. The mean freeze-free period is about 300 days.
Surface Water
Water runs off of the terraces slowly and the broader terraces are poorly drained between ravines that drain the edges of the terraces more rapidly.
Return to Northern California Coast
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