Major Watersheds of California

1
Major Watersheds of California

• The following watersheds are the largest in
  California
• and the most significant to agriculture.
• 1. San Joaquin Basin
• 2. Sacramento Basin
• 3. North Coast
• 4. Central South Coast
• 5. Imperial Valley Drainage

2
Forests Used as Watersheds

• The forest plays a vital role in providing us
  with pure, clean water.
• 1. Vegetation of the forest prevents erosion.
• 2. Forest litter and soils filter water and
  improve its quality.
• 3. Forests shade shallow mountain streams and
  lakes, keeping them cool and able to support a
  larger variety of fish and wildlife.

Redwood Sequoia sempervirens
3
Forests as Timber Resources

• Californias forest provide a large amount of
  timber.
• The state is divided into three major timber
  producing areas
• Redwood region Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock
• Sierra region Douglas Fir, White Fir, Ponderosa
  Pine, Jeffery Pine, Sugar Pine, Incense Cedar
• Mountain region Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine,
  White Fir, Sugar Pine, Red Fir, Incense Cedar

Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii
4
Management of Natural Resources

• It is the agriculturalists responsibility to
  carefully manage natural resources. This
  responsibility extends far beyond farm needs and
  effects on profitability.
• Consider how the public is affected by the
  following
• Negative effects of poor farm resource
  management.
• Pesticide or fertilizer residue in
  groundwater.
• Air pollution.
• Siltation in streams and rivers.

5
Management of Natural Resources (contd.)

• Consider how the public is affected by the
  following
• Positive effects of good farm resource
  management.
• High quality reservoirs of water.
• Improved wildlife habitat.
• Improved pasture and rangeland.
• Improved scenic quality to landscape.