Читать книгу Urban Trails East Bay - Alexandra Kenin - Страница 15

The Bay Area’s Mediterranean climate provides an ideal environment for plant life to thrive, including many varieties of native oak trees and redwoods, the tallest trees in the world. An unfortunate side effect of having a near-perfect growing environment, however, is that non-native and invasive plants flourish here too. On the trails in this book, you’ll see non-native eucalyptus reaching into the skies and non-native broom intermingling with the native lupine and California poppies at your feet. This section will help you identify the common trees and plants you’re likely to encounter on your hikes.

Numerous animals also call the Bay Area home. While there are too many species to mention in this short section, I share some information on animals you may see on the trail, from coyotes to cows to ticks to rattlesnakes. The general rule with animals on the trail is to leave them alone. Even a seemingly tranquil cow can charge you and your hiking companions if it feels threatened; be sure to keep dogs on leash near cattle.