UC Davis professor Hugh Safford recently found Jeffrey pines at elevations over 12,600 feet in the High Sierra, marking a new record for the species. This discovery redefines the known limits of tree growth, with Safford’s study published in Madroño. These pines, typically found around Lake Tahoe, thrive in unexpected high-altitude environments. His research indicates that many other species may also inhabit higher altitudes than current databases suggest. Safford plans further research to understand what allows these trees to flourish at extreme elevations.
Hugh Safford's discovery of Jeffrey pines at elevations exceeding 12,600 feet challenges current understanding of tree growth limits, hinting at more undiscovered species at high altitudes.
These surprising findings suggest that species thought to have specific altitudinal ranges may be adapting or shifting due to changing environmental conditions or other factors.
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