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Bighorn Salt Desert Shrub Basins

Ecoregion in Rocky Mountains, WY

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The Bighorn Salt Desert Shrub Basins comprise two large, arid, alkaline depressions surrounded by mountains. Ecoregion 18g was distinguished from the other salt desert shrub basins (Ecoregion 18e) because it forms a larger contiguous area that is somewhat geographically isolated from the scattered small basins and playas in southern Wyoming. It also experiences greater human influence because of its proximity to major rivers (Bighorn, Shoshone, and Greybull rivers) that provide water for irrigation. Soils are alkaline or gypsum bearing and are derived from sedimentary rocks such as shale, sandstone and siltstone, or windblown material. The arid climate (just 6 inches of precipitation per year) supports desert shrubs and grasses: greasewood, Gardner saltbush, shadscale, alkali sacaton, and saltgrass. Oil, bentonite, and coal deposits are extensive throughout the basin.

— EPA

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