Pollen Project Mapping
The Central Basin and Range
Location: Primarily Nevada & western Utah, small extensions into Idaho and California.
Climate: dry desert climate: hot summers and mild winters. Not quite as hot as the Sonoran. Varied elevation causes a wide range of temperatures in this ecoregion. Most rainfall occurs from thunderstorms during the warmseason. Light percipitation in winters mostly in the form of snow.
Vegetation: Sagebrush is a primary feature. High elevation areas contain gymnosperms such as Douglas fir, white fir, limber pine etc.
Hydrology: Internally Drained. Most Streams are intermittent and ephemeral. There are some large lakes in this ecoregion ex. Great Salt Lake.
Terrain: Large basins with playas and salt flats. Soil ranges from mesic to xeric. Saline soils present.
Land Use: Ranching, mining, wildlife habitat reserves, and recreation are common. Largely populated cities are on the margins of this ecoregion including Carson City, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City, etc.
