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North Central Rockies Forests (WWF ecoregion NA0518)

white bark pine at treeline, Two Medicine Lake, Glacier Ntl. Park, MT
Pinus albicaulis (
white bark pine) at treeline, Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, (c) 2001 Maurice J. Kaurmann


Source of bioregions data: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.

Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 3 (bioregionally outstanding)
The ecoregion contains a variety of vegetation communities.  Large carnivores, including Canus lupus (wolf) and Ursus arctos (grizzly bear) are present. *

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 3 (vulnerable)
There are a substantial number of protected areas, such as national parks and wilderness areas.  However, Fragmentation by transportation corridors may reduce the viability of the ecoregions large carnovires.  Mining and logging are also threats.*

Characteristic species*
Taxus brevifolia  (Pacific yew)
Tsuga heterophylla  (western hemlock)
Thuja plicata  (western red cedar)
Picea glauca  (white spruce)
Abies lasiocarpa  (subalpine fir)
Pinus contorta  (lodgepole pine)
Pseudotsuga menziesii  (Douglas fir)
Pinus monticola  (western white pine)
Larix occidentalis  (western larch)
Picea engelmannii  (Engelmann spruce)

Associated habitats

High elevation forests, Glacier National Park, Montana


forest vegetation (c) 2005 James H. Bassett  hires   hires


left, center: treeline, Sperry Glacier Trail, right: Sperry Glacier  (c) 2005 James H. Bassett   hires  hires  hires

temperate rain forest, Mt. Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia
temperate rain forest, Mt. Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia
western red cedar (c) 2005 Scott and Ruth Bassett  hires

treeline, St. Mary's Peak, Montana
treeline, St. Mary's Peak, Montana treeline, St. Mary's Peak, Montana treeline, St. Mary's Peak, Montana
(c) 2005 Daniel P. Duran  hires  hires  hires

* Ricketts, T.H., E. Dinerstein, D.M. Olson, C.J. Loucks, et al.  (1999) Terrestrial Ecoregions of North America: A Conservation Assessment.  World Wildlife Fund - United States and Canada.  Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 213-216.

Except as noted, images copyright 2002-2005 Steve Baskauf - Terms of use