Rangeland Ecosystems of Idaho

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Rangeland Ecosystems of Idaho
Created by Jennifer Peterson In Cooperation
With Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission and the
University of Idaho - Rangeland Ecology
Management Department
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Objectives

• Define rangeland ecosystems
• Discuss factors that create different ecosystems,
  biomes, and ecoregions
• Identify and describe ecoregions of Idaho

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What is an Ecosystem

• a community of plants, animals, and
  microorganisms that are linked by energy and
  nutrient flows and that interact with each other
  and with the physical environment

-National Geographic Magazine
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Examples of Ecosystems
Rainforest
Desert
Grassland
Coral Reef
Rotting Log
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What is a Biome?

• A very large ecosystem that occupies a distinct
  region.
• Terrestrial biomes include
• grassland, tundra, desert, tropical rainforest,
  deciduous forest and coniferous forests.
• There are two basic aquatic biomes
• freshwater and marine

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Rangelands of the Earth
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Rangelands of North America
These Ecosystems are Types of RANGELAND
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What creates different biomes?

• Precipitation
• Temperature
• Also
• Soils
• Topography

Robert Whittakers classification of biomes,
based on annual precipitation, temperature
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What creates different biomes?

• Precipitation
• Temperature
• Also
• Soils
• Topography

These are RANGELANDS
Robert Whittakers classification of biomes,
based on annual precipitation, temperature
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Idaho Vegetation Types
CalledEcoregions
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Vegetation vs Precipitation
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Soils of Idaho
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Topography of Idaho
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Ecoregions of Idaho

• Pacific Bunchgrass
• Sagebrush Grassland
• Juniper Woodland
• Salt Desert Shrubland
• Coniferous Forest Mountain Meadows

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Pacific Bunchgrass

• Characterized by
• Deep, rich soils
• Moist climate
• Palouse and Camas Prairies
• Precipitation 12-30
• Today, area is mostly farmland

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Sagebrush Grassland

• Characterized by
• Drier soils
• Hotter climate
• Plains, plateaus, valleys south of the Snake
  River
• Precipitation 10-15
• Classic western rangeland type

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Juniper Woodlands

• Characterized by
• Shallow, rocky soils
• Hotter climate
• Southern Idaho (Owyhee area)
• Precipitation 12-30
• Potential problem due to fire suppression

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Salt Desert Shrub

• Characterized by
• Salty soils
• Cold temperatures
• Southern Idaho (Mountain Home area)
• Precipitation lt10
• Excellent winter range due to high nutritive value

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Coniferous Forest and Mountain Meadows

• Characterized by
• Andisols (volcanic ash, very fertile)
• Dense forest with open meadows
• Most of northern Idaho
• Precipitation 40
• Excellent wildlife habitat and summer range

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