94-542: The Northwestern Forested Mountains is a Level I ecoregion of North America designated by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) in its North American Environmental Atlas . Most of the water in this ecoregion is fresh water and contained in rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Washington , Oregon , and Idaho are mainly drained by the Columbia River , its tributaries, and other streams that flow to
188-597: A 20 centimeter diameter. It has 8 ribs that are lined with spines. The cactus blooms from April to May with a purple flower and white, hairy fruit. Like many cacti, it is rather slow growing at a rate of just 2 inches in 10 years, due to minimal nutrient input. Its habitat is located mainly in the Vekol and Waterman Mountains in Arizona and it has a population in the Sierra del Viejo Mountains of northwestern Sonora. The cactus
282-410: A decade. These phases are caused by many factors including, jet streams, trade winds, precipitation, land surface, temperature, ocean surface temperature, and sea level pressure. The biggest threats to this region are fires and invasive pests. As fires occur, they alter the forest composition dramatically. Fire scars create an entry for heart rot and other fatal conditions. Burned soils repel water and
376-439: A framework that may be used by government agencies, non-governmental organizations , and academic researchers as a basis for risk analysis , resource management , and environmental study of the continent's ecosystems . Ecoregions may be identified by similarities in geology , physiography , vegetation , climate soils , land use , wildlife distributions, and hydrology . The classification system has four levels. Only
470-464: A larger, more competitive species that have begun to use the same habitat, however, no major plans have been formed to manage this situation. Malheur wire-lettuce ( Stephanomeria malheurensis ) is also an endangered species in the region. Only one population of this plant survives in the wild, located in Harney, Oregon . The self-pollinating shrub is found at high elevations in volcanic soils. Because
564-469: A lower canopy closure than forests at higher elevations that receive more precipitation They are characterized by very warm to hot, dry summers, and moderately cool winters with little snowfall. Frequent low-severity, stand-maintaining fires are thought to have played a key historic role in shaping these ecosystems. Much of this area consists of small scrub-like ponderosa pine with bluebunch wheatgrass , bluegrass , June-grass , and big sagebrush dominating
658-606: A number of birds and reptiles that thrive in these ecosystems as well. The cactus wren , Gambel's quail , burrowing owl , red-tailed hawk , hummingbird , desert tortoise , and vulture to name a few. An example of a keystone species in the North American deserts would be the coyote or mountain lion. These two predators can control the population and distribution of a large number of prey species. A single mountain lion can roam an area of hundreds of kilometers, in which deer, rabbits, and bird species are partly controlled by
752-549: A number of specifications including kiln dried and grade stamped, and can be supplied in very long lengths to 60 feet. West coast mills are sophisticated in their processing of timbers, making lead times predictable and availability reliable. Paints adhere well to Douglas fir. Stains perform well on Douglas fir timbers with the mild caution that the natural color of this species varies and care must be taken to ensure uniformity of color. Pitch pockets that may ooze resin can be present in timbers that have not been kiln dried. Because of
846-487: A predator of this caliber. They will change the feeding behavior or where they decide to nest or burrow is largely a reaction to the mountain lions activity. Another example, such as the hummingbird, new plants or animals could also come into the habitat and push out native species. In the Sonoran Desert, the hummingbird pollinates many native species of cactus and other plants. The hummingbirds in this region, such as
940-564: A tree's ability to fend off pathogens that lead to mortality. Preventing forest fires and controlling pest populations go hand-in-hand, which leaves room for any combination of treatment plans. Especially helpful is the use of prescribed burns, which consists of randomly dropping a match on a grid that has been divided and planted at scattered time periods. After the fire, workers must go in to peel bark off felled logs, and, if possible, remove dead, dying, and severely damaged/stressed trees as soon as possible. The effects of fossil fuel emissions ,
1034-401: A variety of plant species. These plants are categorized as either xerophytes, adapted to the arid conditions of the desert, or phreatophytes, which are plants with very deep roots that are dependent on a permanent water supply and survive by tapping groundwater. These species have come to possess several adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in these dry and harsh conditions. One of
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#17327800302681128-527: A worsening economy in this region as well by taking away valuable resources for recreational uses, like snow for skiing and fish for fishing. List of ecoregions in North America (CEC) This list of ecoregions of North America provides an overview of North American ecoregions designated by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) in its North American Environmental Atlas . It should not be confused with Misplaced Pages articles based on
1222-479: Is a keystone species found in this region. As an "ecosystem engineer", they regulate the species they prey on, disperse plant seeds, aerate the soil as they dig, and bring salmon carcasses into the forest. The dominant fish species of the region, in which the grizzly bear preys on, is pacific salmon . The typical bird species that can be found here include blue grouse , Steller's jay , and black-billed magpie . The northern spotted owl ( Strix occidentalis caurina )
1316-455: Is a significant component. The red vole nests almost exclusively in the foliage of the trees, typically 2–50 metres (5–165 ft) above the ground, and its diet consists chiefly of Douglas-fir needles. Douglas-fir needles are generally poor browse for ungulates , although in the winter when other food sources are lacking it can become important, and black-tailed deer browse new seedlings and saplings in spring and summer. The spring diet of
1410-563: Is able to grow on exposed rocky surfaces in higher elevations about forested areas. With these advantages come some drawbacks, including its very slow growth rate, which leaves it vulnerable to being out-competed by faster growing trees. There are a variety of mammals that define the North American Deserts such as the bighorn sheep , mule deer , white-tailed deer , ground squirrel , coyote , prairie dog , cottontail rabbit , desert packrat , and mountain lion . There are
1504-476: Is also a resource found in the desert that can be reused and has sustainable exploitations. Oil is the most exploited resource within the deserts. In the North American desert most of the oil is found within the Great Basin region and this resource is non-renewable. Oil is mined out of rocks and creates massive holes that disrupt the ecosystem. The process with taking oil is not sustainable and this resource
1598-504: Is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae . It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir , Douglas spruce , Oregon pine , and Columbian pine . There are three varieties: coast Douglas-fir ( P. menziesii var. menziesii ), Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir ( P. menziesii var. glauca ) and Mexican Douglas-fir ( P. menziesii var. lindleyana ). Despite its common names , it
1692-482: Is another plant frequently found in this area, which is a very unusually shaped plant. Because of this, it is often referred to as a "vine cactus." This plant has an adaptive ability to photosynthesize during very dry conditions and gather large quantities of water when it is available. The Great Basin is also home to the oldest species in the world, the bristlecone pine ( Pinus longaeva ). Its needles allow it to retain water and use very little of it during its lifetime. It
1786-589: Is considered a species of utmost concern in the Northwestern Forested Mountains region. This small raptor was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 . The current population is 15,000 birds, all of which are located in North America. Over 70% of the species’ habitat was destroyed in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the timber industry is causing that number to increase. Both northern spotted owls and
1880-712: Is considered to be an invasive species, called a wilding conifer , and is subject to control measures. But is also one of the most common lumber trees used in forestry alongside Radiata pine with large plantations throughout the country. The species was introduced in the 1900s for its wood. Douglas-fir prefers acidic or neutral soils. However, it exhibits considerable morphological plasticity, and on drier sites P. menziesii var. menziesii will generate deeper taproots. Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca exhibits even greater plasticity, occurring in stands of interior temperate rainforest in British Columbia, as well as at
1974-553: Is drained by the Yukon River and its tributaries that include the Porcupine , Tanana , and Koyukuk Rivers . The Yukon River is the third longest river and fourth largest drainage basin in North America with a drainage area of 832,700 square kilometres (321,500 sq mi). Alaska contains over three million lakes and the largest is Lake Iliamna which covers an area of 1,000 square miles (2,600 km). Vegetative cover
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#17327800302682068-453: Is extensively used in forestry management as a plantation tree for softwood timber . Douglas-fir is one of the world's best timber-producing species and yields more timber than any other species in North America, making the forestlands of western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia the most productive on the continent. In 2011, Douglas-fir represented 34.2% of US lumber exports, to a total of 1.053 billion board-feet. Douglas fir timber
2162-514: Is extremely diverse within the northwestern forested mountain ecological region as the region can be broken down into different zones based on elevation, temperature, and mean annual rainfall. Alpine communities; areas of high elevation (> 8,200 feet (2,500 m)) can support the growth of herbs, grasses, lichen , and shrubs well adapted for these harsh conditions. Common plants here include mountain sorrel , capitate sedge , mat muhly , Newberry knotweed , and red huckleberry . Lichens such as
2256-470: Is formed by westerly winds coming off of the Pacific Ocean, which hit the mountains and rises to a cooler atmosphere. This causes rainy, cloudy, and moist atmospheric conditions where up to 100 inches (2,500 mm) of rain per year can be seen, and is a temperate zone ranging from about 15 °F (−9 °C) in the winter to about 65 °F (18 °C) in the winter. The arid dry zone is west of
2350-843: Is found in the Klamath and California Coast Ranges as far south as the Santa Lucia Range , with a small stand as far south as the Purisima Hills in Santa Barbara County. One of the last remaining old growth stands of conifers is in the Mattole Watershed, and is under threat of logging. In the Sierra Nevada , it ranges as far south as the Yosemite region. It occurs from sea level along
2444-560: Is made up of calcareous soils that have a high pH and calcium concentration. The soil is thin, sandy, and gravel like, and rests atop deep layers of limestone. Higher elevations allow water to sink deeper into soils that are made of finer particles, and deep sedimentary fans exist. Limestone beds show that this desert was at one point fully submerged beneath the sea. This desert features elevations ranging from 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) above sea level, to 350 metres (1,150 ft) below. There are common patterns of hydrological cycles throughout
2538-413: Is misleading since it is not a true fir, i.e., not a member of the genus Abies . For this reason, the name is often written as Douglas-fir (a name also used for the genus Pseudotsuga as a whole). The specific epithet menziesii is after Archibald Menzies , a Scottish physician and rival naturalist to David Douglas. Menzies first documented the tree on Vancouver Island in 1791. Colloquially,
2632-555: Is more shade tolerant than some associated fire-dependent species, such as western larch and ponderosa pine, and often replaces these species further inland. Fungal diseases such as laminated root rot and shoestring root-rot can cause significant damage, and in plantation settings dominated by Douglas-fir monocultures may cause extreme damage to vast swathes of trees. Interplanting with resistant or nonhost species such as western redcedar and beaked hazelnut can reduce this risk. Other threats to Douglas-fir include red ring rot and
2726-533: Is not a true fir ( genus Abies ), spruce (genus Picea ), or pine (genus Pinus ). It is also not a hemlock ; the genus name Pseudotsuga means "false hemlock". Douglas-firs are medium-size to extremely large evergreen trees, 20–100 metres (70–330 feet) tall (although only coast Douglas-firs , reach heights near 100 m) and commonly reach 2.4 m (8 ft) in diameter, although trees with diameters of almost 5 metres (16 feet) exist. The largest coast Douglas-firs regularly live over 500 years, with
2820-451: Is one of the deserts most important resource as it is renewable and has sustainable exploitations. Deserts within North America tend to have fields of solar panels, so they can reuse the sun as energy. Areas such as New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and the Great Basin area, put up fields for green energy. We monitored how the sun provides energy for resources such as plants and animals; we decided to make solar panels to produce energy for us. Water
2914-732: Is one of the most peculiar looking rodents around. The Dipodomys ingens can grow up to 34.7 centimeters in length and have a tail of up to 19.8 centimeters long. They can weigh up to 180 grams. It is mainly found in the San Joaquin Valley in California. The giant kangaroo rat forages for food from sunset to sunrise. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, that are sun dried and some greenery. They store food in their cheeks until they bring it back to their burrow systems, where they store food that could last them up to 2 years of drought. The giant kangaroo rats develop rather quickly. Depending on
Northwestern Forested Mountains - Misplaced Pages Continue
3008-586: Is particularly fond of Horquilla limestone outcrops. The biggest threats to these cacti are habitat loss to new development, vehicle/off-roading damage, mining, and human collection. Among other threats, erosion from foot traffic from drug and human trafficking in the area. North American Deserts, as in most arid systems, experience water and temperature change as the most limiting factors in this ecoregion. Climate change's major effects thus far have been an increase in average annual temperature as well as an increase in average annual rainfall. The most prevalent factor
3102-533: Is past land use; the higher air temperatures make wildfires more common. Wildfires are extremely detrimental to species inhabiting the landscape; they destroy habitats and it takes many years to restore the land to how it used to be. These effects caused by climate change can destroy animal habitats and species diversity. Not only will these climate catastrophes directly reduce animal populations, but they will indirectly disrupt trophic levels by reducing food sources for many keystone species. Climate change contributes to
3196-406: Is rich in natural resources. Historically the most sought-after resources were the minerals found here. The presence of gold drove many of the early settlers to this ecoregion. These early settlers extracted gold from the streams, and timber for building, flora, and fauna. Today, many more resources are used by the economies of this area. Large-scale mining operations have become less common throughout
3290-466: Is scarce. Another resource that is mined is copper. Along with oil, this resource is also scarce as it is non-renewable and also has the same mining affects as oil does. This resource can be used for things such as computers, TVs, cell phones, and other electronics. Copper is mainly found in California. Other mined resources consist of zinc, uranium, rocks, jade, crystals, gold, and quartz. Douglas fir The Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii )
3384-486: Is the Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe ( Arceuthobium douglasii ). Epiphytes such as crustose lichens and mosses are common sights on Douglas-firs. As it is only moderately shade tolerant , undisturbed Douglas-fir stands in humid areas will eventually give way to later successional, more shade-tolerant associates such as the western redcedar and western hemlock—though this process may take a thousand years or more. It
3478-500: Is the increase in rainfall events and the severity of the events. Between 1931 and 2000, there have been measurable increases in seasonal rainfall during the summertime monsoon in the southern United States and northern Mexico. Because of this increase in rainfall, changes in the vegetative cover have caused native species to disappear and invasive species populations to rise. The kangaroo rat, which also supported Mojave rattlesnake and burying owl populations, has essentially disappeared from
3572-416: Is used for timber frame construction and timber trusses using traditional joinery, veneer , and flooring due to its strength, hardness and durability. As of 2024, the only wooden ships still currently in use by the U.S. Navy in conventional naval operations are Avenger-class minesweepers , made of Douglas-fir. Douglas fir sees wide use in heavy timber structures, as its wood is strong, available in
3666-505: The Douglas-fir beetle . Many different Native American groups used the bark, resin, and needles to make herbal treatments for various diseases. Native Hawaiians built waʻa kaulua ( double-hulled canoes ) from coast Douglas-fir logs that had drifted ashore. The wood has historically been favored as firewood , especially from the coastal variety. In addition early settlers used Douglas fir for all forms of building construction, including floors, beams, and fine carving. The species
3760-712: The Fraser River watershed covers one-fourth of the land and extends from Mount Robson to the Georgia Strait and Gulf Islands . This basin is the fifth largest drainage basin in Canada and contains thirteen main sub-watersheds, each consisting of small rivers, streams, creeks, marshes, bogs, and swamps. The largest lake in British Columbia is Williston Lake which covers 680 square miles (1,800 km). Alaska contains abundant natural resources which include ground and surface water. The southwestern part of Alaska
3854-548: The Lynn Valley Tree and the Nooksack Giant . The leaves are flat, soft, linear needles 2–4 centimetres ( 3 ⁄ 4 – 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 in) long, generally resembling those of the firs, occurring singly rather than in fascicles ; they completely encircle the branches, which can be useful in recognizing the species. As the trees grow taller in denser forest, they lose their lower branches, such that
Northwestern Forested Mountains - Misplaced Pages Continue
3948-550: The Umpqua River in Oregon. It is most dominant in areas with a more frequent fire regime that suppresses less fire-resistant conifers. Douglas-fir seeds are an extremely important food source for small mammals such as moles , shrews , and chipmunks , which consume an estimated 65% of each annual seed crop. The Douglas squirrel harvests and hoards great quantities of Douglas-fir cones, and also consumes mature pollen cones,
4042-468: The blue grouse features Douglas-fir needles prominently. The leaves are also used by the woolly conifer aphid Adelges cooleyi ; this 0.5 mm-long sap -sucking insect is conspicuous on the undersides of the leaves by the small white "fluff spots" of protective wax that it produces. It is often present in large numbers, and can cause the foliage to turn yellowish from the damage it causes. Exceptionally, trees may be partially defoliated by it, but
4136-471: The witch's hair lichen and cup lichen also persist here. Subalpine communities; located below the alpine communities (6,500–8,200 feet (2,000–2,500 m)) support the presence of lodgepole pine , subalpine fir , pacific silver fir , grand fir , and Engelmann spruce . The Engelmann spruce–subalpine fir forest association occupies the greatest water-yielding areas in the Rocky Mountains and
4230-600: The Chihuahan Desert, while the non-native Bailey’s pocket mouse has colonized the area. Increased rainfall has also led to decrease in soil quality and less vegetative cover, which leads to increasingly higher temperatures. In the Sonoran Desert, anthropogenic land degradation as well as natural erosion from increased rainfall has caused a 4–5 degree increase in average afternoon temperatures, which means for many species less available water and nutrients they need to survive. These effects will lead to less biodiversity in
4324-672: The Costa's hummingbird, have evolved to have very long beaks and tongues that wrap around the skull in order to reach the nectar for that sweet sugar staple. The Great Basin Desert is the only Cold desert, bordered by the Rocky Mountain range to the east, and the Sierra Nevada – Cascade to the west. The northernmost part of the desert lies 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) above sea level, and due to high summer temperatures, not all of
4418-653: The Garlock and the San Andres. They are made up of the two largest faults in the state of California. The Sonoran is referred to as the Base and Range geologic province. Here, the Mogollon rim exists of sandstone and limestone piled over millions of years. The basin and valley were made from volcanic eruption 40 million years ago, and the underlying rock is made primarily of cretaceous (aged granites). The Chihuahuan desert
4512-588: The Mexican border, becoming increasingly disjunct as latitude decreases and altitude increases. Mexican Douglas-fir ( P. lindleyana ), which ranges as far south as Oaxaca , is often considered a variety of P. menziesii . Fossils (wood, pollen) of Pseudotsuga are recorded from the Miocene and Pliocene of Europe ( Siebengebirge , Gleiwitz , Austria). It is also naturalised throughout Europe, Argentina and Chile (called Pino Oregón ). In New Zealand it
4606-401: The North American Deserts, but specifics of times and source of water range. All four deserts rely on rivers, precipitation, and underground aquifers to replenish their water supply. The water in the North American desert is mainly freshwater. There is an ephemeral flow of underground water during the wet seasons that slows during each sub-desert’s dry season. Oases form in all four deserts when
4700-683: The Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River Basin is the fourth largest watershed in North America. According to a 2004 GIS inventory by the Environmental Protection Agency, there are approximately 10,535 lakes and reservoirs in the Pacific Northwest . The largest lakes in the Pacific Northwest include Lake Washington , Lake Roosevelt , Lake Chelan , Upper Klamath Lake , Lake Pend Oreille , Priest Lake , and Lake Coeur d'Alene . In British Columbia ,
4794-603: The Thompson Okanagan Plateau, Columbian Plateau, Northern and Central Basins, Colorado Plateaus, and the Snake River Plane. All of these North American Deserts are included in the cold category, which indicates that they have a dry mid-latitude steppe or desert climate. These areas are affected by their interior position within the continent leading to broader temperature ranges and considerable rainfall. More specifically, these areas are affected by
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#17327800302684888-442: The area, which is one of the main combatant factors that biota have against climate change. As the effects of climate change continue to develop, North American Deserts will be increasingly affected, leading worsening biodiversity loss and decreases in the ecoregion productivity. Deserts are one of the most delicate ecosystems, relying on limited water and nutrient sources to survive. When these careful relationships are disturbed by
4982-465: The associated articles. The North American Deserts include both cold and hot deserts, which supply a variety of climates. Due to this fact, they are often used for agricultural, business, or petroleum purposes. These factors have been taking a toll on the desert climate, organisms, and landscape. These deserts are the Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan and the Great Basin. The North American Deserts are home to
5076-411: The back half of a mouse, with two feet and a tail. The massive mega- genome of Douglas fir was sequenced in 2017 by the large PineRefSeq consortium, revealing a specialized photosynthetic apparatus in the light-harvesting complex of genes. The common name honors David Douglas , a Scottish botanist and collector who first reported the extraordinary nature and potential of the species. The common name
5170-826: The classification system developed by the World Wildlife Fund , such as List of ecoregions (WWF) and Lists of ecoregions by country . The commission was established in 1994 by the member states of Canada , Mexico , and the United States to address regional environmental concerns under the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), the environmental side accord to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The commission's 1997 report, Ecological Regions of North America , provides
5264-607: The coast to elevations of 1,500 m (4,900 ft) or higher, and inland in some cases up to 2,100 m (6,900 ft). Another variety exists further inland, Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca , the Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir or interior Douglas-fir. Interior Douglas-fir intergrades with coast Douglas-fir in the Cascades of northern Washington and southern British Columbia, and from there ranges northward to central British Columbia and southeastward to
5358-602: The damage is rarely this severe. Among Lepidoptera , apart from some that feed on Pseudotsuga in general, the gelechiid moths Chionodes abella and C. periculella as well as the cone scale-eating tortrix moth Cydia illutana have been recorded specifically on P. menziesii . The inner bark is the primary winter food for the North American porcupine . Poriol is a flavanone, a type of flavonoid, produced by P. menziesii in reaction to infection by Poria weirii . A parasitic plant which uses P. menziesii
5452-601: The desert lead to eventual desertification and a loss of overall biodiversity. A number of organizations such as the United States Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund have begun working together to conserve the threatened desert ecosystem. The less heavily populated areas of the desert are being sought out and conserved in order to prevent future human habitation and disturbance. Also, several organizations are now monitoring
5546-425: The differing hydrological cycles. The Great Basin receives most its rainfall in the winter. This leads to creation of playa lakes in the spring, as the snowfall melts and flows down surrounding mountains. The Sonoran Desert has a bimodal precipitation pattern that includes winter storms and summer monsoons, which help sustain flora. The Chihuahuan Desert relies primarily on its intense summer monsoon for water. During
5640-485: The drier southeast and central portions. Western hemlock , western red cedar , Douglas fir , and western white pine make up the majority of the moist west and southwest portions. White spruce is also found at this elevation and is a keystone tree species found in the Alaskan interior . The dry southern interior grasslands and forests generally occur at low elevations (under 4,000 feet (1,200 m)) and usually have
5734-418: The ecoregion. Extending from the lower Yukon of Canada all the way into northern California and Nevada, the northwestern-forested mountains range in different about three climate zones; moist maritime, arid dry, and sub-arctic. The moist maritime climate of the Northwestern Forested Mountains is found along a narrow strip of coastal Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and southern Alaska in North America. It
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#17327800302685828-833: The edge of semi-arid sagebrush steppe throughout much of its range, where it generates even deeper taproots still. The coast Douglas-fir variety is the dominant tree west of the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest . It occurs in nearly all forest types and competes well on most parent materials, aspects, and slopes. Adapted to a more moist, mild climate than the interior subspecies, it grows larger and faster than Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir. Associated trees include western hemlock , Sitka spruce , sugar pine , western white pine , ponderosa pine , grand fir , coast redwood , western redcedar , California incense-cedar , Lawson's cypress , tanoak , bigleaf maple and several others. Pure stands are also common, particularly north of
5922-459: The entirety of the region. There are a few prospective industrial mines lobbying for permits to dig in both Canada and Alaska. Canada is the 6th-largest petroleum producer in the world. The largest point of extraction within this ecoregion is in Alberta , Canada. This area is abundant in tar sands , a crude form of petroleum. To begin this operation large tracts of boreal forest are removed. After
6016-413: The environmental conditions, they can reproduce after about 5 months. Their litter size varies but averages about 3.75 offspring. These rodents are rather resilient when it comes to surviving under natural conditions, such as drought and low plant productivity. However, when the human factor is introduced, they have a much less successful survival rate. Aqueducts and other water projects started crisscrossing
6110-512: The fallen precipitation is fully absorbed into the soil, resulting in a high sodium concentration. In other areas, mountain erosion has caused deep soils of fine particles, which allows for standing lakes. The Mojave lies between the Sonoran (south) and the Great Basin (north). Here, soil is shallow, rocky, and dry. The average elevation is between 3,000–6,000 feet (910–1,830 m) above sea level. The Mojave has several mountain range boundaries,
6204-515: The first three levels are shown on this list. "Level I" divides North America into 15 broad ecoregions. "Level II" subdivides the continent into 52 smaller ecoregions. "Level III" subdivides those regions again into 182 ecoregions. "Level IV" is a further subdivision of Level III ecoregions. Level IV mapping is still underway but is complete across most of the United States. For an example of Level IV data, see List of ecoregions in Oregon and
6298-423: The foliage may start as high as 34 m (110 ft) off the ground. Douglas-firs in environments with more light may have branches much closer to the ground. The bark on young trees is thin, smooth, grey, and contains numerous resin blisters. On mature trees, usually exceeding 80 years, it is very thick and corky, growing up to 36 cm (14 in) thick with distinctive, deep vertical fissures caused by
6392-568: The giant kangaroo rat habitat. Agriculture moved in because of the new water routes and suddenly the habitat of many species became agricultural land. Kangaroo rats became a pest for farmers and rodenticide-treated grain became common practice which took out another chunk of their population. Nichol's Turk's head cactus ( Echinocactus horizonthalonius var. nicholii ) is one of multiple species of Echinocactus horizonthalonius . The Nichol’s Turk’s head cactus ranges from blue-green to yellow-green. It tends to be around 46 centimeters tall and has about
6486-501: The gradual expansion of the growing tree. Some of the mature bark is brown, while other parts are lighter colored with a cork-like texture; these develop in multiple layers. This thick bark makes the Douglas-fir one of the most fire-resistant tree native to the Pacific Northwest. The female cones are pendulous, with persistent scales, unlike those of true firs. They have distinctive long, trifid (three-pointed) bracts which protrude prominently above each scale and are said to resemble
6580-418: The groundwater reaches the surface and pools in the hollows of the desert basins. Being surrounded by mountains provides a rain shadow effect that contributes to the dry climate and creates the desert ecosystem. All four deserts experience times of drought and times of intense precipitation. The Colorado River flows through the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran desert. But, differences in seasonal rain create
6674-451: The heat of the day is lost. The only source of water in the warm deserts is an oasis; this creates an arid climate in the area distinguishable by the lack of moisture in the soil due to annual precipitation being less than half of the annual potential evapotranspiration. The North American Desert biome is facing a variety of ecological threats. Human disturbance poses the number one concern to this fragile ecosystem. The Sonoran desert contains
6768-469: The horizontal and vertical structures of a forest. As well as increase the biotic diversity of both flora and fauna. Tourism generates a considerable amount of revenue for the different economies of this area. Tourists come to these areas for a multitude of outdoor activities. In the winter tourists travel from all across the globe to ski the Rocky Mountains, British Columbia, and Alaska ranges. In
6862-422: The hottest and driest place on the continent. This is due to the continental interior location on the leeward side of mountains, with constant subtropical high pressures. The high temperatures throughout the year are due to the high percentage of sunshine caused by high sun angles. Increased distance from a body of water leads to a lack of clouds, which is associated with much cooler nighttime temperatures because all
6956-419: The inner bark, terminal shoots, and developing young needles. Mature or "old-growth" Douglas-fir forest is the primary habitat of the red tree vole ( Arborimus longicaudus ) and the spotted owl ( Strix occidentalis ). Home range requirements for breeding pairs of spotted owls are at least 400 hectares (4.0 km ; 990 acres) of old growth. Red tree voles may also be found in immature forests if Douglas-fir
7050-407: The large pits are dug there is a constant risk of further environmental degradation through oil spillage. Logging in the past was often conducted through large clear cuts. The environmental effects of large clear-cuts became apparent and are now less common. There are logging techniques that can benefit the ecological integrity of a system. Group selection can mimic natural processes and increase both
7144-642: The largest contributor to climate change, cause rising CO 2 levels in the Earth's atmosphere. This raises atmospheric temperatures and levels of precipitation in the Northwestern Forested Mountains. Being a very mountainous region, weather patterns contribute to higher levels of precipitation. This can cause landslides, channel erosion, and floods. The warmer air temperatures also create more rain and less snow, something dangerous for many animal and tree species; with less snowpack comes more vulnerability for trees and insects. A large contributor to fire susceptible forests
7238-527: The most common of these species is the barrel cactus (Echinocactus and Ferocactus). This plant was important to Native Americans and served a number of purposes, including use for food and water and creating fish hooks from the spines. Another common species is the Shin Digger (Agave lechuguilla). With its shallow roots, it is able to take in a large quantity of water and store it in its pedals for extended periods of time. The Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens)
7332-485: The mountain ranges and doesn't receive much rain due to the north-to-south orientation of the mountains, which blocks clouds and precipitation. It can range from the upper 80s (°F) in the summer to single digits in the winter. It generally only receives about 20 inches (510 mm) of rain per year. The sub-arctic region ranges from Fairbanks, Alaska to the Yukon of Canada and averages a mean of 50 °F (10 °C). in
7426-461: The natural adaptations of these trees are important in maintaining stable vegetation. The mountainous slopes and rolling plains slope from about 5,500 feet (1,700 m) at the foot of the Rocky Mountains to about 2,000 feet (610 m) in the lowest elevations. The dominant trees present in the region consist of ponderosa pine , Rocky Mountain Douglas fir , lodgepole pine, and quaking aspen in
7520-468: The oldest specimens living for over 1,300 years. Rocky Mountain Douglas-firs , found further to the east, are less long-lived, usually not exceeding 400 years in age. There are records of former coast Douglas-firs exceeding 120 metres (390 feet) in height, which if alive today would make it the tallest tree species on Earth. Particular historical specimens with heights exceeding 400 feet include
7614-475: The rain shadow created by neighboring mountain ranges, acting as a barrier to westerly flowing air carrying moisture. All of these cold deserts experience about 100–300 mm of precipitation in a year indicating a semi-arid climate. The warm deserts of North America include The Mojave Basin and Range, the Sonoran desert, and the Chihuahuan desert. These areas have a tropical desert climate, and are known as
7708-452: The range is so small, any disturbance in the habitat could be detrimental. One of the main threats is cheatgrass , which can expand to completely cover the ground and use up resources also needed by Malheur wire-lettuce. It is generally agreed that to protect the species, efforts must be focused on forming new populations, and more importantly, maintaining the condition of the current site in Oregon. The Northwestern Forested Mountain ecoregion
7802-399: The runoff creates sediment and ash polluting rivers and streams, and harming fish and wildlife that depend on these water sources. An especially troubling aspect of fires’ aftermath is the increased vulnerability of trees to non-native invasive pests. Burned stands create a perfect habitat for pests who will find shelter in the regrowth. These pests create tunneling galleries that further weaken
7896-472: The species is also known simply as Doug fir or Douglas pine (although the latter common name may also refer to Pinus douglasiana ). Other names for this tree have included Oregon pine , British Columbian pine , Puget Sound pine , Douglas spruce , false hemlock , red fir , or red pine (although again red pine may refer to a different tree species, Pinus resinosa , and red fir may refer to Abies magnifica ). One Coast Salish name for
7990-481: The summer and is often negative 13 in the winter. On the mountain tops, it can receive up to 100 inches (2,500 mm) of precipitation per year, and is often considered the snowiest place on Earth. The Northwestern Forested Mountains experience phenomena called decadal oscillations, the La Niña and El Niño . This is a shift in temperatures from warmer (La Niña) to colder (El Niño) and each phase generally last about
8084-608: The summer is when the area sees the accumulation of playa lakes. They may all have similar characteristics, but the difference in location and evaluation attribute to the diversity of their hydrological sources and cycles. Although the Northern American Deserts are characteristically dry, they still contain the water necessary to fuel their ecosystem and sustain the life of humans, animals, and plants alike. North American deserts can be categorized by climate categories of hot and cold deserts. The cold deserts include
8178-424: The summer the national parks draw in millions. Other summer activities include but are not limited to hunting, fishing, mountain biking, backpacking, rafting, kayaking, and wildlife viewing/photography. Resource use and extraction is sustainable when a system can replenish resources faster than they are being used. A practice is unsustainable when usage exceeds this threshold thereby damaging the ecological integrity of
8272-404: The timber industry prefer old-growth forests, so as demand for timber products increases, the spotted owl's habitat decreases. Forest management plans that stress limits on timber harvest and suggest alternative options are being formed, along with plans to prevent habitat fragmentation . The barred owl is also causing a decrease in the population numbers of the northern spotted owl, as they are
8366-493: The timber sizes available, stamped timber grading, and relatively short lead times, Douglas fir sees wide use in both public and residential projects. The species has ornamental value in large parks and gardens. It has been commonly used as a Christmas tree since the 1920s, and the trees are typically grown on plantations. The buds have been used to flavor eau de vie , a clear, colorless fruit brandy. Douglas-fir pine leaves can be used to make pine needle tea . They possess
8460-705: The tree, used in the Halkomelem language, is lá:yelhp . In the Lushootseed language, the tree is called čəbidac . Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii , the coast Douglas-fir, grows in the coastal regions from west-central British Columbia southward to central California . In Oregon and Washington , its range is continuous from the eastern edge of the Cascades west to the Pacific Coast Ranges and Pacific Ocean. In California, it
8554-411: The two large cities of Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, which contain over 3 million people. These dense human populations deplete the water table of the entire desert and are sending the desert towards desertification. Also, the Chihuahuan desert is seeing the effects of agricultural expansions, invasive species, illegal poaching, and extractions of resources such as salt, lime, and sand. These activities in
8648-462: The understory. This ecoregion is abundant with varying types of mammals, fish, and birds. Many dominant animal species, such as the bighorn sheep and hoary marmot , have adapted to the terrain of the region. The talus slopes provide burrowing shelters for the hoary marmot, and the bighorn sheep have adapted to climb the steep slopes to find shelter from predators. Top carnivorous predators include coyotes , wolves , and cougars . The grizzly bear
8742-474: The unpredictable and worsening effects of climate change, it will be very hard for these ecosystems to recover or endure. In the North American Deserts there are emerging natural resources within the ecosystem. A few natural resources within the desert consist of oil, sunlight, copper, zinc, and water. Some of these resources are renewable and some are non-renewable. Most of these resources are being exploited by humans and most actions are not sustainable. Sunlight
8836-493: The use and health of the Rio Grande system located in the Chihuahuan desert, while also building new low tech water treatment facilities that will help to prevent overall water table depletion. The World Wildlife Fund is replanting disturbed, upland vegetation in order to retain species habitat and biodiversity. These measures are helping to protect and preserve the four North American Desert ecosystems. The giant kangaroo rat
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