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

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 Grassland Rainforest Desert Rotting Log Coral Reef

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. These Ecosystems are Types of RANGELAND Rangelands of North America

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

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

12. Coniferous Forest and Mountain Meadows Sagebrush Grasslands Salt Desert Shrublands Pacific Bunchgrass Juniper Woodlands Idaho Vegetation Types Called “Ecoregions”

13. Coniferous Forest and Mountain Meadows Sagebrush Grasslands Salt Desert Shrublands Pacific Bunchgrass Juniper Woodlands Vegetation vs Precipitation

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

15. Topography of Idaho

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

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

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

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

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

33.  Characterized by: Andisols (volcanic ash, very fertile) Dense forest with open meadows Most of northern Idaho Precipitation: 40+ Excellent wildlife habitat and summer range Coniferous Forest and Mountain Meadows