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
There are 36 slides in this presentation

2. Objectives Define rangeland ecosystems
Discuss factors that create different ecosystems, biomes, and ecoregions
Identify and describe ecoregions of Idaho
There are 36 slides in this presentation

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
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4. Examples of Ecosystems
Rainforest
Desert
Grassland
Coral Reef
Rotting Log
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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
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6. Rangelands of the Earth
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7. Rangelands of North America RANGELAND These Ecosystems are Types of
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8. What creates different biomes?
Precipitation
Temperature
Also …
Soils
Topography
Robert Whittaker’s classification of biomes, based on annual precipitation, temperature
There are 36 slides in this presentation

9. What creates different biomes?
Precipitation
Temperature
Also …
Soils
Topography
These are RANGELANDS
Robert Whittaker’s classification of biomes, based on annual precipitation, temperature
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12. Idaho Vegetation Types
Coniferous Forest and Mountain Meadows
Sagebrush Grasslands
Salt Desert
Shrublands
Pacific Bunchgrass
Juniper Woodlands
Idaho Vegetation Types
Called “Ecoregions”
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13. Vegetation vs Precipitation
Coniferous Forest and Mountain Meadows
Sagebrush Grasslands
Salt Desert
Shrublands
Pacific Bunchgrass
Juniper Woodlands
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14. Soils of Idaho Andisols (Mountain Soils) Alifisols
Histosols (Forest Soils)
Entisols
Mollisols (Grassland Soils)
Aridisols (Desert Soils)
Rock Outcrop
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15. Topography of Idaho
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16. Ecoregions of Idaho Pacific Bunchgrass Sagebrush Grassland
Juniper Woodland
Salt Desert Shrubland
Coniferous Forest & Mountain Meadows
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17. Pacific Bunchgrass Characterized by: Deep, rich soils Moist climate
Palouse and Camas Prairies
Precipitation: 12-30”
Today, area is mostly farmland
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21. Sagebrush Grassland Characterized by: Drier soils Hotter climate
Plains, plateaus, valleys south of the Snake River
Precipitation: 10-15”
Classic western rangeland type
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25. Juniper Woodlands Characterized by: Shallow, rocky soils
Hotter climate
Southern Idaho (Owyhee area)
Precipitation: 12-30”
Potential problem due to fire suppression
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29. Salt Desert Shrub Characterized by: Salty soils Cold temperatures
Southern Idaho (Mountain Home area)
Precipitation: <10”
Excellent winter range due to high nutritive value
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33. 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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