Climate
Seasonal Temperatures
Modoc Plateau features moderately extreme weather, with warm summers and cold winters. In the summers, average temperatures can reach 30°C (85°F) during the day and 8°C (47°F) during the night. On the other hand, winters have daytime temperatures of 5°C (42°F) and nighttime temperatures of -6°C (20°F). Temperatures in the Modoc Plateau are generally similar from region to region, with the exception of nearby mountains such as Mount Shasta.
Precipitation
Unlike temperatures, average rainfall in the Modoc County (and Modoc Plateau) is quite dry and varies from region to region. In general, average rainfall amount decreases from west to east. For example, the average annual rainfall along the Pit River is about 78 …show more content…
It is also a southern extension of the Columbian Plateau located in Oregon and Washington. Depending on the location, the elevation level can reach anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. Modoc Plateau is bordered by Medicine Lake Highlands (part of the Cascade Range) on the east and Warner Mountains on the west. See the map for a better idea of its location. .
Modoc Plateau has an interesting geological history, one similar to the Hawaiian islands. Unlike other volcanoes, the volcanic eruptions produced by shield volcanoes are generally small-scale and produce trickling, slow-moving lava. The slow-moving lava hardened over time to form a plateau, which we now know as the Modoc Plateau. This is estimated to have occurred about 25 million years ago. Shield volcanoes give the Modoc Plateau more relief than most other …show more content…
However, granite, a prevalent igneous rock, is vulnerable to erosion. Erosion can cause a lack of water and other life-sustaining nutrients for plants. As a result, the necessary chemicals in soil limit plant growth by increasing competition for different plants. This also leads to different types of shrubs inhabiting different types of soil.
Limiting Factors Since on the top of Modoc Plateau lies Modoc Forest, one of the major limiting factors of Modoc Forest — and many other forests — is water. This is an example of an abiotic factor, but this impacts the biome heavily. Water is an essential for all biomes, but especially forest biomes because of the plethora of trees and shrubs. Fortunately, the soil is saturated enough in Modoc Plateau, so water can be stored there for short term usage. However, the recent drought has taken a toll on Modoc Plateau wildlife. Limiting factors in Modoc Plateau are not limited to abiotic factors. Competition plays a heavy role as well. In Goose Lake and other small ponds, researchers have found that different types of trout compete for the same resources, an example of competitive exclusion. For example, rainbow trout populations have decreased as a result of sharing a habitat with brook trout.
Human
Seasonal Temperatures
Modoc Plateau features moderately extreme weather, with warm summers and cold winters. In the summers, average temperatures can reach 30°C (85°F) during the day and 8°C (47°F) during the night. On the other hand, winters have daytime temperatures of 5°C (42°F) and nighttime temperatures of -6°C (20°F). Temperatures in the Modoc Plateau are generally similar from region to region, with the exception of nearby mountains such as Mount Shasta.
Precipitation
Unlike temperatures, average rainfall in the Modoc County (and Modoc Plateau) is quite dry and varies from region to region. In general, average rainfall amount decreases from west to east. For example, the average annual rainfall along the Pit River is about 78 …show more content…
It is also a southern extension of the Columbian Plateau located in Oregon and Washington. Depending on the location, the elevation level can reach anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. Modoc Plateau is bordered by Medicine Lake Highlands (part of the Cascade Range) on the east and Warner Mountains on the west. See the map for a better idea of its location. .
Modoc Plateau has an interesting geological history, one similar to the Hawaiian islands. Unlike other volcanoes, the volcanic eruptions produced by shield volcanoes are generally small-scale and produce trickling, slow-moving lava. The slow-moving lava hardened over time to form a plateau, which we now know as the Modoc Plateau. This is estimated to have occurred about 25 million years ago. Shield volcanoes give the Modoc Plateau more relief than most other …show more content…
However, granite, a prevalent igneous rock, is vulnerable to erosion. Erosion can cause a lack of water and other life-sustaining nutrients for plants. As a result, the necessary chemicals in soil limit plant growth by increasing competition for different plants. This also leads to different types of shrubs inhabiting different types of soil.
Limiting Factors Since on the top of Modoc Plateau lies Modoc Forest, one of the major limiting factors of Modoc Forest — and many other forests — is water. This is an example of an abiotic factor, but this impacts the biome heavily. Water is an essential for all biomes, but especially forest biomes because of the plethora of trees and shrubs. Fortunately, the soil is saturated enough in Modoc Plateau, so water can be stored there for short term usage. However, the recent drought has taken a toll on Modoc Plateau wildlife. Limiting factors in Modoc Plateau are not limited to abiotic factors. Competition plays a heavy role as well. In Goose Lake and other small ponds, researchers have found that different types of trout compete for the same resources, an example of competitive exclusion. For example, rainbow trout populations have decreased as a result of sharing a habitat with brook trout.
Human