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Northern Idaho Hills and Low Relief Mountains

Ecoregion in Rocky Mountains in ID, WA

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The Northern Idaho Hills and Low Relief Mountains ecoregion is exposed to marine influence, mantled by a mixture of volcanic ash and loess, and has rich, forest-type soils that contrast with the grassland-type soils of the Columbia Plateau (10). Frigid Andisols and Inceptisols are common and support mixed coniferous forests dominated by grand fir, Douglas-fir, and western redcedar and also containing ponderosa pine, western larch, lodgepole pine, and western white pine. Mid-elevations and north-facing stream slopes support mixed grand fir and western redcedar stands. South-facing slopes along major streams are dominated by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests and have open canopies. Higher elevations and cold drainage ways are dominated by Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Hemlock is less common than in Ecoregions 15o and 15p and is never abundant. Annual precipitation ranges from 30 to 50 inches and is well distributed throughout the year. The Northern Idaho Hills And Low Relief Mountains ecoregion is not as rugged nor as high as the Coeur d’Alene Metasedimentary Zone (15o) and St. Joe Schist-Gneiss Zone (15p) to the east. Its relatively gentle terrain makes timber harvesting easier and cheaper than in neighboring mountainous ecoregions and its productive forests are extensively logged.

— EPA

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