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Oasis in the Desert:
Mark Twain called Mono Lake the "Dead Sea of California," but nothing could be further from the truth. Mono is one of the most productive lakes in the West, teeming with plants and animals that have adapted to its salty, alkaline (soapy) waters. Mono Lake's abundant aquatic life makes it one of the most important wetlands in the entire western hemisphere for migrating and nesting birds. This simple ecosystem, while productive, is also extremely fragile. The loss of even a single species, such as the alkali flies or brine shrimp, could cause thousands or even millions of other organisms to be negatively effected.
A Simple, Fragile Ecosystem:
Tiny green plants called algae capture the sun's energy, then become food for millions of alkali flies and trillions of brine shrimp. Over a million birds feast on the shrimp and flies. As dead plants and animals fall to the lakebottom, bacteria decompose them. Their nutrients fertilize the algae, and the cycle begins again.
How Tufa Towers Form:
Tufa forms under Mono Lake's waters. When freshwater springs rich in calcium bubble up through the carbonate-rich lake water, the calcium and carbonates react to form a calcium carbonate salt deposit, which is called tufa. This solid, limestone-like material continues to develop, eventually forming vertical towers with spring water percolating up through and around them. |