Core Ecosystems of the Northern Rockies

Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk Ecosystem

The wettest of the five ecosystems, it boasts the last major stands of low elevation ancient forests, including the oldest living cedars in America. The only woodland caribou herd in the lower 48 still roams here, joined by the grizzly and the endangered Coeur d’Alene salamander. Towering spires and remote, lake-filled basins define the Cabinet, Selkirk, and Purcell Ranges.

Glacier-Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem

Encompassing Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, America's largest bighorn sheep herd scales the peaks here and grizzlies still roam the prairies along the Rocky Mountain Front. Old growth forests in the Swan and Mission Ranges shade pristine bull trout spawning runs. The gray wolf is making a comeback here.

 

Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Yellowstone's world-famous geyser basins, vast forests, abundant wildlife, and blue-ribbon trout streams form the core of this great ecosystem. Glaciers and permanent snowfields cloak the rugged Teton and Beartooth Mountains. Diverse habitats range from cactus deserts to alpine tundra. Wildlife includes the grizzly bear, our nation's last wild bison herd, endangered trumpeter swans and nearly 50,000 elk.

 

Hells Canyon-Wallowa Ecosystem

The Hells Canyon of the Snake River--the deepest river-carved canyon in the world--forms the core of this mostly vertical ecosystem. America's largest elk herd roams the old growth ponderosa pine and larch forests beneath the high peaks of the Wallowa and Seven Devils Mountains. The region abounds in cultural and archeological sites. The Imnaha River Chinook are among the largest salmon in the nation.

Salmon-Selway Ecosystem

This ecosystem is one of the most rugged, remote areas in America. At its heart are the Frank Church/River of No Return and Selway-Bitterroot Wildernesses. Several species of salmon and the steelhead trout still swim from the Pacific Ocean to spawn in the high mountain tributaries of the Salmon and Clearwater Rivers. Biological and landscape diversity is great, ranging from rocky, dry canyons to wet forests of ancient cedars.

 

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Thanks to Milo Burcham for the Woodland Caribou photograph.