Sagebrush Steppe

What is a steppe? Normally dry grassy plans Warm summers cold winters Semiarid approximately 25 cm annual rainfall Are we the only steppe found in the world?

Where do we find steppes?

But our sagebrush ecosystem is unique in its own right

Climate of the Steppe Semiarid – Semi annual rainfall Majority of our precipitation occurs by snow and spring/fall rains Climate in relation to sub- regions of the steppes Sagebrush Steppe (Northern) Sagebrush Shrubland (Southern)

Producers in the Sagebrush Steppe Sagebrush Steppe (Eastern Idaho) Co-dominate Grass/Forbs and Brush Sagebrush shrublands (Great Basin) In these areas sagebrush is the DOMINATE plants species

Consumers of the Sagebrush Steppe Very iconic animals within our sagebrush ecosystem Mammals Reptiles Amphibians Invertebrates Birds What trophic levels do these fall into? Consumers of the Sagebrush Steppe

Threats to the Sagebrush Steppe Habitat loss Fragmentation Towns, roadways, power lines Renewable Energy Agriculture Farm Ranch Fire Habitat Loss Invasive Plant Species Cheatgrass and medusa head Conifer Encroachment (juniper) https://sagemap.wr.usgs.gov/HumanFootprint.as px

Threats = Less Biodiversity Number of DIFFERENT Species in an area

Clark County are considered “Critically Imperiled” or “Imperiled” 11 % Of the species found in Clark County are considered “Critically Imperiled” or “Imperiled”

So why do we care? Write a short persuasive essay explaining why we should or shouldn’t care about our local sagebrush ecosystem