Browse Map

Explore away

Explore Map Collection

Check out our basemaps

Print a Map Plus

Generate a high-quality PDF

Field Guide

Discover local flora, fauna, geology, and more

Local Flora & Fauna

Learn the ecology of your area

Local Geology

Learn the geologic formation at your feet

Get Started or Sign In

Welcome

Continue with Apple

Already have an account? Sign In

Measure

Topo

Ecoregions

Public Lands

...

BASEMAPS

Default Weather

Temperature

Smoke

...

WEATHER

Cold Desert Sagebrush-Grasslands

Ecoregion on Colorado Plateau, AZ

Print Map

Generate High-Quality PDF

The Cold Desert Sagebrush-Grasslands ecoregion occurs in northwest Arizona on relatively flat to rolling plateau and valley surfaces. Sandstones and mudstones of Triassic and Jurassic age are the dominant geology. The mostly shrub-covered region has only about 200 to 400 feet of relief, in contrast to the higher relief and more wooded adjacent ecoregions (20c, 20e). Elevations range from 3800 to 5200 feet and precipitation averages 9 to 13 inches. The soil temperature regime is mesic and the soil moisture regime is typic aridic. Eolian deposits occur and some soils are gypsiferous. Vegetation includes winterfat, fourwing saltbush, sand sagebrush, buckwheat species, needlegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, Indian ricegrass, black grama, blue grama, sideoats grama, gyp dropseed, and galleta.

— EPA