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Rangeland Ecosystems of Idaho

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

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Rangeland Ecosystems of Idaho

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

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

  3. 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

  4. Examples of Ecosystems Rainforest Desert Grassland Coral Reef Rotting Log

  5. 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

  6. Rangelands of the Earth

  7. Rangelands of North America These Ecosystems are Types of RANGELAND

  8. What creates different biomes? • Precipitation • Temperature Also … • Soils • Topography Robert Whittaker’s classification of biomes, based on annual precipitation, temperature

  9. What creates different biomes? • Precipitation • Temperature Also … • Soils • Topography These are RANGELANDS Robert Whittaker’s classification of biomes, based on annual precipitation, temperature

  10. Idaho Vegetation Types Coniferous Forestand Mountain Meadows PacificBunchgrass Called“Ecoregions” SagebrushGrasslands SaltDesert Shrublands Juniper Woodlands

  11. Vegetation vs Precipitation Coniferous Forestand Mountain Meadows PacificBunchgrass SagebrushGrasslands SaltDesert Shrublands Juniper Woodlands

  12. Soils of Idaho Andisols (Mountain Soils) Alifisols Histosols (Forest Soils) Entisols Mollisols (Grassland Soils) Aridisols (Desert Soils) Rock Outcrop

  13. Topography of Idaho

  14. Ecoregions of Idaho • Pacific Bunchgrass • Sagebrush Grassland • Juniper Woodland • Salt Desert Shrubland • Coniferous Forest & Mountain Meadows

  15. Pacific Bunchgrass • Characterized by: • Deep, rich soils • Moist climate • Palouse and Camas Prairies • Precipitation: 12-30” • Today, area is mostly farmland

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

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

  18. Salt Desert Shrub • Characterized by: • Salty soils • Cold temperatures • Southern Idaho (Mountain Home area) • Precipitation: <10” • Excellent winter range due to high nutritive value

  19. 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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