Crossword Genius

Eastern sierra -- wild scene for nature (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

essence

'for nature' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'eastern sierra wild scene' is the wordplay.
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'sierra' becomes 'S' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'wild' indicates an anagram.
'scene' with letters rearranged gives 'sence'.
'e'+'s'+'sence'='ESSENCE'

(Other definitions for essence that I've seen before include "Core, most vital part" , "required property" , "one of 21 [HEARTS]" , "Distinctive inner nature of person or thing" , "Flavour, spirit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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