Bixby Creek Bridge (1932), Big Sur coast, California, USA.

Bixby Creek Bridge (1932), Big Sur coast, California, USA. 120 miles south of San Francisco and 13 miles south of Carmel in Monterey County along State Route 1. Completed in 1932 for just over $200,000, the concrete span, one of the highest bridges of its kind in the world, soars 260 feet above the bottom of a steep canyon carved by Bixby Creek. Iceplant was introduced to California in the early 1900s as an erosion stabilization tool beside railroad tracks, and later used by Caltrans on roadsides. Iceplant is bad for a number of reasons. It’s invasive and releases salt into the soil, raising the salt level high enough to inhibit other plant seeds, especially grasses. It doesn't serve as a food source for animals and can out-compete the native plants for water, light, and space. It's actually bad for erosion control. Having weak root systems, these heavy plants can cause the hill to start sliding, taking existing topsoil from the slope. Although the soft succulent new growth has a high water content which doesn't burn, the slow-to-decompose dead leaves layered underneath create a fire hazard.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: 2203CA-0799.jpg
Copyright: © Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
Image Size: 5472x3648 / 6.1MB; http://www.photoseek.com/; Magnoliophyta PhotoBest Plantae angiosperms bloom blossom bridge coast flowers history ocean past plants recreation sea sports transportation water

Bixby Creek Bridge (1932), Big Sur coast, California, USA. 120 miles south of San Francisco and 13 miles south of Carmel in Monterey County along State Route 1. Completed in 1932 for just over $200,000, the concrete span, one of the highest bridges of its kind in the world, soars 260 feet above the bottom of a steep canyon carved by Bixby Creek. Iceplant was introduced to California in the early 1900s as an erosion stabilization tool beside railroad tracks, and later used by Caltrans on roadsides. Iceplant is bad for a number of reasons. It’s invasive and releases salt into the soil, raising the salt level high enough to inhibit other plant seeds, especially grasses. It doesn't serve as a food source for animals and can out-compete the native plants for water, light, and space. It's actually bad for erosion control. Having weak root systems, these heavy plants can cause the hill to start sliding, taking existing topsoil from the slope. Although the soft succulent new growth has a high water content which doesn't burn, the slow-to-decompose dead leaves layered underneath create a fire hazard.