Natural History
The flora at lower elevations includes deserts and xeric shrublands and temperate grasslands and shrublands biome vegetation. Higher elevation montane habitats include temperate coniferous forests biome vegetation, including groves and forests of various species of pine, cedar, juniper, aspen, and other trees, and understory shrubs, and perennials.
Intermountain West ecoregions include:
- Central Basin and Range ecoregion — North American Deserts; Level III ecoregion (EPA)
- Columbia Plateau (ecoregion) — Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome (WWF)
- Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills (ecoregion) — Northwestern Forested Mountains; Level III ecoregion (EPA)
- Great Basin shrub steppe — Deserts and xeric shrublands biome (WWF)
- Great Basin montane forests — Temperate coniferous forest biome (WWF)
- Northern Basin and Range ecoregion — North American Deserts; Level III ecoregion (EPA)
- Palouse grasslands ecoregion — Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome (WWF)
- Snake River Plain (ecoregion) — North American Deserts; Level III ecoregion (EPA)'
- Wasatch and Uinta montane forests ecoregion — Temperate coniferous forest biome (WWF)
Some sections are agriculturally cultivated with water diversions for irrigation systems. Cattle ranching is practiced in the region as well. Cultivated crops include corn, potatoes, sugar beets, grass hay, and alfalfa, the latter two crops are used for livestock feed.
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