North America
Read MoreThis landscape of dramatic contrast notably features linear, star and dome dunes as well as several arid granite massifs, some as high as 650 metres. The dunes emerge like islands from the sea of sand and harbour distinct and highly diverse plant and wildlife communities, including endemic freshwater fish species and the endemic Sonoran Pronghorn, which is only to be found in northwestern Sonora and in southwestern Arizona (USA).
Lake Tahoe is located in the central Sierra Nevada Mountain Range within the states of California and Nevada and is the second deepest lake in the U.S. The Tahoe Basin was formed by normal faulting, a characteristic of the Basin and Range to the east. Carson City, the capital of Nevada, is located to the east of the lake.
California's Central Valley is one of the most economically important agricultural regions in the world. Nearly 300 different crops are grown including a recent transition to high value commodities like almonds, and wine grapes. The region also faces intense urrbanization pressures in its numerous cities which run along the eastern side of the valley.