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Carbonate Woodland Zone

Ecoregion in Great Basin in NV, UT

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In the Carbonate Woodland Zone the pinyon – juniper woodland canopy overtops and spans the existing sagebrush and mountain brush communities. The pinyon – juniper woodland has a broader elevational range in the carbonate areas of eastern Nevada than elsewhere in Ecoregion 13, even extending onto the floors of the higher basins, partially because of greater summer precipitation. Both pinyon and juniper decline north of Ecoregion 13q; in Ecoregion 80, juniper grows alone and without distinct elevational banding. Historically, miners cut pinyon and juniper for mine timbers. Since the beginning of fire suppression early in the last century, juniper – pinyon woodland has increased in density and expanded into lower sagebrush zones. More recently, large areas of pinyon – juniper woodland have been cleared to increase forage for cattle. The woodland understory is diverse due to the influence of carbonate substrates and summer rainfall. There are more springs and live streams in Ecoregion 13q than in western non-carbonate woodlands (e.g. Central Nevada Mid-Slope Woodland and Brushland (13s)) because the carbonate substrate is soluble and porous, allowing rapid infiltration.

— EPA

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Ecoregion