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The flora of Steens Mountain includes
1,150 taxa and represents approximately 4,500 vascular plant taxa in Oregon.
Of these, 10% are exotics or introduced species. Six are endemic to Steens
Mountain or nearby ranges, and 26 are regional endemics. Endemic refers
to a species that is only found in a specific area. It must have a small
geographic range, specific habitat requirements and exist in small population.
Early exploration of Steens flora began in the late 1800's. Today exploration
continues through the Malheur Field Station and the U.S. Bureau of Land
Management. The vegetation on Steens Mountain is unusual in four respects.
First, large basins isolate Steens from other high mountain ranges. Second,
Steens Mountain has extensive contiguous area rising above 2,400 meters.
Third, the northwestern portion of the Great Basin is unique in having
less summer precipitation, more winter precipitation, and lower mean annual
temperatures than the rest of the Great Basin. Finally, the subalpine vegetation
is striking it its domination by Aspens and its lack of coniferous tree
species that clothe ranges oft his size elsewhere in the Western United
States. The combination of isolation, extensive alpine topography, extreme
climate, and unusual subalpine physiognomy results in unique alpine flora.
The vegetation of Steens can be divided into five
vegetation zones. The area to the west of Steens includes the Malheur
National Wildlife Refuge that is an high desert wetland that has extensive
lakes and marshes during seasons of precipitation.
Pictures of Steens Flora
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