Agricultural & California Resources
Major Watersheds of California
The following watersheds are the largest in California
and the most significant to agriculture.
1. San Joaquin Basin
2. Sacramento Basin
3. North Coast
4. Central & South Coast
5. Imperial Valley Drainage
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
131.T 1
Agricultural & California Resources
Forests Used as Watersheds
The forest plays a vital role in providing us with pure,
clean water.
1. Vegetation of the forest prevents erosion.
2. Forest litter and soils filter water and improve
its quality.
3. Forests shade shallow mountain streams and
lakes, keeping them cool and able to support a
larger variety of fish and wildlife.
Redwood
Sequoia sempervirens
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
131.T 2
Agricultural & California Resources
Forests as Timber Resources
California’s forest provide a large amount of timber.
The state is divided into three major timber producing
areas:
Redwood region:
Sierra region:
Mountain region:
Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock
Douglas Fir, White Fir, Ponderosa Pine,
Jeffery Pine, Sugar Pine, & Incense Cedar
Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, White Fir,
Sugar Pine, Red Fir, & Incense Cedar
Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
131.T 3
Agricultural & California Resources
Management of Natural Resources
It is the agriculturalist’s responsibility to carefully manage
natural resources. This responsibility extends far beyond
farm needs and effects on profitability.
Consider how the public is affected by the following:
Negative effects of poor farm resource management.
• Pesticide or fertilizer residue in groundwater.
• Air pollution.
• Siltation in streams and rivers.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
131.T 4
Agricultural & California Resources
Management of Natural Resources
(cont’d.)
Consider how the public is affected by the following:
Positive effects of good farm resource management.
• High quality reservoirs of water.
• Improved wildlife habitat.
• Improved pasture and rangeland.
• Improved scenic quality to landscape.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
131.T 5