Redwood National and State Parks: An Introduction to Familiar Plants and Animals

OC - Ocean - cold ocean water, offshore seastacks, rocky shores and sandbeaches provide a wide-range of habitats for marine-associated plants andanimals. CS - Coastal Strand - desiccating ocean winds, salt spray, rocky shores, sand beaches and coastal bluffs influence and shape the diversity of trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses that hug the 35-miles of park coastline. RW - Redwood Forest - almost pure stands of coast redwood are found onalluvial flats and benches along major streams, with occasional fir, spruce, hemlock, tan oak or bay intermingling. The moist, shady, acidic conditionsfound on the forest floor often restricts the diversity of plants that cangrow there. ME - Mixed Evergreen - found on drier upland slopes adjacent to redwoodforests. Many species of plants grow within these more open, sunnierforests. RP - Riparian - three major river systems and numerous coastal streamstraverse the parks. The constant watersupply supports a lush growth of trees, shrubs and herbs along the banks. OW - Oak Woodland - found along the dry, inland ridges of the Bald Hills, the woodlands include large sunny patches of grasses and flowers scatteredamong the trees. PR - Prairie - scattered grasslands along ridge crests, usually a few milesinland from the coast. SG - Second Growth Forest - timber harvesting has impacted more than 1/3 ofthe lands within the parks. Second-growth refers to the resulting young, even-aged forests. DA - Disturbed Area Redwood Park Association (RPA) is a non-profit organization which supportsand promotes the educational goals of Redwood National and State Parksandthe Smith River National Recreation Area. Working in partnership with theNational Park Service since 1985, RPA publishes educational materials aboutthe park and related environments, offers field seminar programs, andoperates park bookstores. Funds generated by the Association directlysupport the interpretive and research programs and other educationalactivities for the benefit of the parks programs and visitors.