This Ecosystem Exploration video depicts a flood plain alongside a perrenial creek (the Wild Horse). The site is in an ecotone in a cooler area of the creek valley where riparian habitat meets live oak woodland, and scrubby understory as it transitions to chaparral.
Viewing Tips
Blurry Video? After starting the video, click on the gear icon “⚙” in the lower right corner of your screen. Set video quality to 1080(HD).
Frame of Mind? This video helps you go beyond seeing and start learning to observe. So take a second to relax, filter out the noise from your surroundings, and set aside some time to become a detective in this ecosystem.
Contributing Institution: Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve , Sonoma State University, Center for Environmental Inquiry
Site Website: Sonoma State University, Center for Environmental Inquiry
Site Contact: Paul Havemann
Videographer: Paul Havemann
Date Video Recorded: 04/11/2025
About This Ecosystem
Latitude: 38.50607Longitude: -122.09766
Elevation: 0-2,500 ft
Aspect: SW
Slope: Gentle
Climate Zones: Continental Biomes: Shrubland Habitat Types: Terrestrial
Vegetation Types: Five primary habitat types: Chaparral, riparian woodland, live oak woodland, grassland, blue oak savanna
Explorer Guides
Open one of these guides to build your powers of observation and identify processes that shape the world around you.
Try these first to build your skills. These guides can be used with any video.
Write Field Notes: University, High School, K-8
Sketch What You See: University, High School, K-8
Ask Questions: University, High School, K-8
Try these after building your skills. These guides are unique to this video.
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Instructor Guides
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