| Mono Lake in eastern California is ringed by unusual limestone towers called tufas. Despite its sterile appearance, the lake is part of an amazingly productive ecosystem. Algae growing in its waters feed brine or fairy shrimp that, in turn, provide an important food source for a huge migratory bird population. This fragile system was threatened when Los Angeles diverted Mono Lake’s feeder streams to add to the city’s water supply. These diversions caused lake levels to drop precipitously. Environmentalists initiated lawsuits and the courts have now restricted diversions to protect this important bird habitat. |
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