The Giant Sequoia of the Sierra Nevada NPS Logo   Our hope is to
present the story of the giant sequoia and the ecological
interrelationships with its associated biota, including man, and
with its inseparable abiotic environment. The story which
follows may, at times, prove provocative and disturbing, but
hopefully challenging to the imagination. The ecological
concepts discussed are basic and not peculiar to the giant
sequoia communities.  The presence of Western man, however,
created problems among the sequoias not anticipated in the
earlier years, namely, that of the impact of visitors upon the
once pristine sequoian forests. Investigations designed to
determine the extent of the impact brought to light many aspects
of the sequoia story that were not previously known or but
poorly understood.  Because of its rather singular attributes of
enormous size and longevity, its majesty, and its rugged
mountain setting, the giant sequoia has, from the time of its
discovery, drawn people into its native Sierra Nevad