Cave Rock Cave

CAVE ROCK, LAKE TAHOE, NEVADA WOODRAT NESTS

Changing forest composition of the forests around Lake Tahoe during the last 1,300 years is hinted at by preliminary studies of prehistoric woodrat middens preserved in the cave of Cave Rock on the east shore of the lake. Collection of one woodrat midden near the mouth of the cave yielded 13 layers spanning the last 1,300 years. The plant remains are dominated by Incense Cedar and Mountain Mahogany. These suggest that conditions during the last 1,300 years have often been warmer and drier than today when plants that prefer slightly cooler and drier conditions predominate in the area.

more / home