Lake Tahoe Basin

Tahoe Basin MyMaps   This assignment was my first time using Google's MyMaps feature. I found it to be quite easy to navigate and it was much more simple than I expected creating an online map to be.  'Technology for Teachers and Students' had a great Youtube tutorial video (thanks Jim!).  Although I decided not to include layers (due to wanting to keep my map a bit more simple and easier to read), I think that it's a great way for one to differentiate different categories of data for future map creation. One thing with MyMaps is that you will not be able to label specific points. I wanted to name just labels to the five mountain ranges on my map but because all my points were created within the same layer, it was an all or none type of deal.  

Information on general ecology.  

Biodiversity (n.) is defined by the diversity amongst species within a certain environment. Species can range from plants to animals and are measured by species richness. Biodiversity is highly variable when considering the species and plants of areas at the local, regional, national, and international scales.  In areas with high biodiversity, the region will have a great number of species indigenous to its area. Species can thrive on their own without human interaction.  Locally, one may consider plants, animals, and insects close in their proximity. Regionally, one may consider the function of biodiversity and it's affects in the area. Ecosystems may be supplied oxygen, clean air/water, the pollination of plants, and other ecosystem services.  Nationally, one may consider the regulating aspects of how biodiversity is affected. For example, looking at California in particular - which has the nation's leading almond farms, has had issues with maintaining crop numbers due to 1)

The Lake Tahoe Basin is the largest alpine lake in North America (150.7 km^3) and is the second deepest in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon (594 m). The lake was formed over 2 million years ago from shifting geologic faults. The basin lies in between two mountain ranges - the Carson range in the eastern margin and the Sierra Nevadas in the western margin. I chose this to be the place of my study area as it is a region with high biodiversity. It is also a place that I consider my second home. My passion for researching Lake Tahoe comes from spending entire breaks of my childhood with my family at our cabin in Truckee, CA. Throughout multiple ecology courses during my undergraduate years at UCSC, I chose to apply my knowledge towards researching the Lake Tahoe Basin. Half of the basin is in California, while the other half is in  Nevada. The basin is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, and has 72 miles of shoreline. The greatest depth of 1,645 ft makes it the second deepest lake i