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Arid Canyonlands

Ecoregion on Colorado Plateau in UT, AZ, NM, CO

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Occurring primarily in Utah, the Arid Canyonlands ecoregion includes the inner gorge of the Colorado River and its major tributaries, such as the San Juan River. Much of this ecoregion is bounded by nearly vertical canyon walls that separate it from the adjacent, higher benchlands of Ecoregion 20c. The Arizona portion lacks the relief of most of the region in Utah. Soils have a drier moisture regime than those of Ecoregions 20c. Exposed bedrock is common. Blackbrush, shadscale, some sand sagebrush, and drought-tolerant grasses including galleta grass and Indian ricegrass occur. Blackbrush is more common here than in Ecoregion 20c where pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush dominate. Annual precipitation in the Arizona portion is 5 to 8 inches. Land use is mostly related to tourism and recreation, wildlife habitat, and some livestock grazing.

— EPA

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