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Selkirk Mountains

Ecoregion in WA, ID

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The dissected, partly glaciated Selkirk Mountains ecoregion is rugged, covered in mixed coniferous forest, and mantled by volcanic ash that increases forest productivity. Both Pacific species (grand fir, western redcedar, and western hemlock) and Rocky Mountain species (western larch, western white pine, and lodgepole pine) are common. The Selkirk Mountains ecoregion is wetter and has more maritime influence than Ecoregion 15w. A combination of weather patterns, high relief, and very narrow valleys result in more summer precipitation, fog, and relative humidity at low and mid-elevations than elsewhere in northern Idaho. Boreal influence is stronger, subalpine fir – spruce forests are lower, and whitebark pine forests are more extensive than in the rest of the Northern Rockies (15). Boreal influence increases toward the north and some northfacing valleys have extensive peatlands. The Selkirk Mountains ecoregion includes the largest contiguous old growth cedar – hemlock forest in the interior U.S., extensive peatlands, and important lynx and grizzly bear habitat. It supports the only woodland caribou herd in the conterminous U.S. Erosion hazards can be high where road beds intercept perched water tables above subsurface compacted tills. Avalanche chutes are common.

— EPA

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