Mono Lake
East of Junction of Route 395 and Route 120

Mono Lake water levels have dropped increasingly, due to indiscriminate extraction of water (extraction of more water annually than is collected in the lake annually). The dropping water levels reveal Tufa (a natural calcium carbonate, CaCO3) residue. Surrounding the lake are plants (most people would call 'weeds') that can live in this harsh environment. These plants are also found in Death Valley and other similarly harsh environments. These plants are in fact, quite beautiful.

  1. Mono Lake Tufa
    2. .
  2. Green Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus vicidiflorus)
    3. .
  3. Russian Thistle (Salsola kali)
    4. .
  4. Caterpillar Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
    5. .
  5. Alkali Seepweed (Suaeda depressa)

Back

© Copyright 2006 - 2018    The Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg Trust     Website Terms of Use