North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
Encyclopedia
The North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve is a nature reserve of 3315 acres (13.4 km²) located three miles (5 km) north of Oroville
, Butte County, in the US state of California
. The land was acquired by the state in October, 1993 to preserve and protect the rare Northern Basalt Flow Vernal Pools habitat type that supports sensitive plants and animals that are either locally endemic or unique to California. Northern Basalt Flow Vernal Pools habitat is found in only four localities within the state.
Sensitive plant and animal species that occur on the preserve include Butte County meadowfoam (Limnanthes
floccosa ssp. californica), Red Bluff dwarf rush
(Juncus leiospermus var. leiospermus), and California horned lizard
(Phrynosoma coronatumfrontale).
In 2003, the California Department of Fish and Game
(DFG) added North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve to the list of reserves under Title 14, California Code of Regulations, with special regulations that prohibit horses and bicycles from entering the reserve, but allows the department to issue livestock grazing permits, and also allows deer and upland game hunting with seasonal restrictions. Since hunting
is not normally permitted on ecological reserves, the special regulations are necessary so that DFG can determine when this public use is appropriate and will cause no impacts to protected species and habitat.
Time and erosion have split the volcanic plateau of Table Mountain into two sections, north and south. There are smaller ravines as well that support various types of oak
, madrone and California buckeye and bay trees. The top expanse has grasslands with lichen-covered rocks. The winter/spring rains recharge the vernal pools and create waterfalls and wildflower displays.
Birds seen include golden eagle
, turkey vulture and peregrine falcon
, to the small canyon wren
and meadowlark
.
Oroville, California
Oroville is the county seat of Butte County, California. The population was 15,506 at the 2010 census, up from 13,004 at the 2000 census...
, Butte County, in the US state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The land was acquired by the state in October, 1993 to preserve and protect the rare Northern Basalt Flow Vernal Pools habitat type that supports sensitive plants and animals that are either locally endemic or unique to California. Northern Basalt Flow Vernal Pools habitat is found in only four localities within the state.
Sensitive plant and animal species that occur on the preserve include Butte County meadowfoam (Limnanthes
floccosa ssp. californica), Red Bluff dwarf rush
Juncaceae
Juncaceae, the rush family, are a monocotyledonous family of flowering plants. There are eight genera and about 400 species. Members of the Juncaceae are slow-growing, rhizomatous, herbaceous plants, and they may superficially resemble grasses. They often grow on infertile soils in a wide range...
(Juncus leiospermus var. leiospermus), and California horned lizard
Horned lizard
Horned lizards are a genus of lizards which are the type genus of the family Phrynosomatidae. The horned lizard is popularly called a "horned toad", "horny toad", or "horned frog", but it is neither a toad nor a frog. The popular names come from the lizard's rounded body and blunt snout, which...
(Phrynosoma coronatumfrontale).
In 2003, the California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...
(DFG) added North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve to the list of reserves under Title 14, California Code of Regulations, with special regulations that prohibit horses and bicycles from entering the reserve, but allows the department to issue livestock grazing permits, and also allows deer and upland game hunting with seasonal restrictions. Since hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
is not normally permitted on ecological reserves, the special regulations are necessary so that DFG can determine when this public use is appropriate and will cause no impacts to protected species and habitat.
Time and erosion have split the volcanic plateau of Table Mountain into two sections, north and south. There are smaller ravines as well that support various types of oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, madrone and California buckeye and bay trees. The top expanse has grasslands with lichen-covered rocks. The winter/spring rains recharge the vernal pools and create waterfalls and wildflower displays.
Birds seen include golden eagle
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
, turkey vulture and peregrine falcon
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
, to the small canyon wren
Canyon Wren
The Canyon Wren is a small North American wren, and is about 14.5 cm long. It ranges from far southern British Columbia and Montana south through much of Mexico to western Chiapas and east to Oklahoma and Texas...
and meadowlark
Meadowlark
Meadowlarks are birds belonging to the genus Sturnella in the New World family Icteridae.This genus includes seven species of largely insectivorous grassland birds...
.
See also
- List of California Department of Fish and Game protected areas
- Vernal poolVernal poolVernal pools, also called vernal ponds or ephemeral pools, are temporary pools of water. They are usually devoid of fish, and thus allow the safe development of natal amphibian and insect species...