Examples from Important Western Ecosystems

• Sagebrush

  • The most widespread habitat type in the west

• Aspen

  • Second only to riparian areas in diversity and productivity

• Riparian

  • The most diverse and productive habitat,only about 1% of land area, but most important

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Sagebrush, aspen and riparian habitats were chosen for illustrating the concepts of diversity and the impacts of livestock because of the reasons given. They are keystone habitats in the arid west. While riparian areas only occupy a small portion of the land, they are important to nearly all species of wildlife for water and to numerous species for food and shelter. Similarly, aspen habitats are extremely productive and important to high numbers of species. Sagebrush habitats are widespread across the west. All these habitats have suffered extreme degradation by livestock, water developments, dams and diversions.