Fish Slough Area of Critical Environmental Concern

The Fish Slough Area of Critical Environmental Concern is a protected slough in Inyo County, eastern California.[1] It is located on the western side of the Chalfant Valley, 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Bishop in the northern Owens Valley area.[2]

Its 36,000 acres (15,000 ha) were designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in 1982, and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.[1] The Fish Slough Area is an oasis in the middle of the otherwise arid volcanic tableland. In 1975, Fish Slough was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.[3]

Plants and biomes

The Fish Slough ACEC is located in the transition zone (ecotone) between the Mojave Desert and Great Basin biomes.[1] Plant communities including wetlands, alkali meadows, and uplands.[1]

One plant, Fish Slough milk vetch (Astragalus lentiginosus var. piscinensis), is endemic to the area.[4][5] The Alkali Mariposa lily (Calochortus striatus) is also a rare plant found in the ACEC, and is a vulnerable species on the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants.[6]

See also

References


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