Wasatch and Uinta montane forests
Published: April 24, 2007, 3:58 am
Updated: August 22, 2012, 3:47 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Mark McGinleyThe Wasatch and Unita Montane Forests ecoregion is a distinct block of high montane habitat stretching from southeastern Idaho and extreme southwestern Wyoming to the isolated ranges of the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah. The ecoregion includes the Wasatch Range, a major north-south range; and the Unitas, one of a very few major east-west ranges.
Source: WWF
Utah, USA (Photograph by John Morrison)
Biological Distinctiveness
The dominant vegetation of the ecoregion is coniferous forests of varying composition. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Douglas-fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii), and Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), and Englemann spruce (Picea engelmanni) communities all exist in these mountains in various associations. Limber pine (Pinus flexilis) also occurs but is relatively limited. A major distinguishing feature of this ecoregion is its large areas of Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii).
The Wasatch and Uinta Rockies differ climatically from other Rocky Mountain ecoregions in their relative aridity, a function of the extensive rain shadow cast by the Sierra Nevada 500 miles to the west. Moist air from the southwest or southeast does not penetrate this far. The higher peaks nevertheless receive a good deal of snow, which is notably consistently dry. This uniformly dry snowpack accounts for Utah's lack of snow avalanches in the mountains. Disturbances consist mainly of fire.
Conservation Status
Habitat Loss and Degradation
Most of the ecoregion has been impacted by grazing, logging, mining, and recreational use. Large predators are fully extirpated, and ungulates like bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis c.) are apparently in decline.
Remaining Blocks of Intact Habitat
The High Uinta Primitive Area represents a fairly intact block of high elevation habitat. The northern extension of the Wasatch supports large numbers of mule deer and is relatively intact. The Aquarius Plateau in the southeast portion of the ecoregion is an important remnant block of aspen, ponderosa pine, and spruce/fir forests at higher elevation.
Degree of Fragmentation
Motorized recreation and widespread livestock grazing have had major fragmentation effects on the ecoregion. Elk and deer appear to be little affected by these processes, but most of the native vegetation is fragmented by converted and degraded areas from intensive use.
Degree of Protection
Protection of the ecoregion overall is very poor. The High Uintas Primitive Area protects mainly high alpine habitats rather than a broad elevational gradient. Very little of this montane system is protected at all.
Types and Severity of Threats
Although some popular native fauna have survived and even thrived in the ecoregion, the outlook for its long-term viability is not optimistic. Increased motorized recreation in the mountains may compromise ungulate habitat security beyond a critical threshold if allowed to expand. Domestic livestock grazing continues unabated. The downhill ski industry poses some of the same threats here as it does in Colorado.
Suite of Priority Activities to Enhance Biodiversity Conservation
- Expansion of the protected area in the High Unitas to encompass a broader elevational gradient is a good place to start, as this remote mountain range still has high conservation potential.
- Maintaining representation of native vegetation types, particularly gambel oak, is an important consideration in designing a reserve network. Ultimately, this ecoregion could functionally connect with Greater Yellowstone, facilitating movement of carnivores south into the southern deserts. For this to occur, restoration of habitat quality and security would need to begin.
Conservation Partners
- Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Relationship to Other Classification Schemes
The ecoregion boundary is taken from Omernik. It approximates the boundaries of Bailey's M331E and M341C. Küchler classifies the area as 11, 14, 19, 21, and 31.
Additional Information on this Ecoregion
|
Disclaimer: This article is taken wholly from, or contains information that was originally published by, the World Wildlife Fund. Topic editors and authors for the Encyclopedia of Earth may have edited its content or added new information. The use of information from the World Wildlife Fund should not be construed as support for or endorsement by that organization for any new information added by EoE personnel, or for any editing of the original content.
|
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
World Wildlife Fund (Lead Author);Mark McGinley (Topic Editor) "Wasatch and Uinta montane forests". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth April 24, 2007; Last revised Date August 22, 2012; Retrieved May 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Wasatch_and_Uinta_montane_forests>
The Author
Known worldwide by its panda logo, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats. Now in its fifth decade, WWF works in more than 100 countries around the globe to conserve the diversity of life on Earth. With nearly 1.2 million members in the U.S. and another 4 million worldwide, WWF is the world's largest privately financed conservation organization. WWF directs its conservation efforts toward three global goals: 1) saving endangered ... (Full Bio)
The Wasatch and Unita Montane Forests ecoregion is a distinct block of high montane habitat stretching from southeastern Idaho and extreme southwestern Wyoming to the isolated ranges of the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah. The ecoregion includes the Wasatch Range, a major north-south range; and the Unitas, one of a very few major east-west ranges.
Source: WWF
Utah, USA (Photograph by John Morrison)
Biological Distinctiveness
The dominant vegetation of the ecoregion is coniferous forests of varying composition. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Douglas-fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii), and Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), and Englemann spruce (Picea engelmanni) communities all exist in these mountains in various associations. Limber pine (Pinus flexilis) also occurs but is relatively limited. A major distinguishing feature of this ecoregion is its large areas of Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii).
The Wasatch and Uinta Rockies differ climatically from other Rocky Mountain ecoregions in their relative aridity, a function of the extensive rain shadow cast by the Sierra Nevada 500 miles to the west. Moist air from the southwest or southeast does not penetrate this far. The higher peaks nevertheless receive a good deal of snow, which is notably consistently dry. This uniformly dry snowpack accounts for Utah's lack of snow avalanches in the mountains. Disturbances consist mainly of fire.
Conservation Status
Habitat Loss and Degradation
Most of the ecoregion has been impacted by grazing, logging, mining, and recreational use. Large predators are fully extirpated, and ungulates like bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis c.) are apparently in decline.
Remaining Blocks of Intact Habitat
The High Uinta Primitive Area represents a fairly intact block of high elevation habitat. The northern extension of the Wasatch supports large numbers of mule deer and is relatively intact. The Aquarius Plateau in the southeast portion of the ecoregion is an important remnant block of aspen, ponderosa pine, and spruce/fir forests at higher elevation.
Degree of Fragmentation
Motorized recreation and widespread livestock grazing have had major fragmentation effects on the ecoregion. Elk and deer appear to be little affected by these processes, but most of the native vegetation is fragmented by converted and degraded areas from intensive use.
Degree of Protection
Protection of the ecoregion overall is very poor. The High Uintas Primitive Area protects mainly high alpine habitats rather than a broad elevational gradient. Very little of this montane system is protected at all.
Types and Severity of Threats
Although some popular native fauna have survived and even thrived in the ecoregion, the outlook for its long-term viability is not optimistic. Increased motorized recreation in the mountains may compromise ungulate habitat security beyond a critical threshold if allowed to expand. Domestic livestock grazing continues unabated. The downhill ski industry poses some of the same threats here as it does in Colorado.
Suite of Priority Activities to Enhance Biodiversity Conservation
- Expansion of the protected area in the High Unitas to encompass a broader elevational gradient is a good place to start, as this remote mountain range still has high conservation potential.
- Maintaining representation of native vegetation types, particularly gambel oak, is an important consideration in designing a reserve network. Ultimately, this ecoregion could functionally connect with Greater Yellowstone, facilitating movement of carnivores south into the southern deserts. For this to occur, restoration of habitat quality and security would need to begin.
Conservation Partners
- Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Relationship to Other Classification Schemes
The ecoregion boundary is taken from Omernik. It approximates the boundaries of Bailey's M331E and M341C. Küchler classifies the area as 11, 14, 19, 21, and 31.
Additional Information on this Ecoregion
|
Disclaimer: This article is taken wholly from, or contains information that was originally published by, the World Wildlife Fund. Topic editors and authors for the Encyclopedia of Earth may have edited its content or added new information. The use of information from the World Wildlife Fund should not be construed as support for or endorsement by that organization for any new information added by EoE personnel, or for any editing of the original content.
|
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
,_United_States.jpg)
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), United States (Photograph by Gerald and Buff Corsi, California Academy of Sciences & CalPhotos)
0 Comments
Add Comment