M332Er Southern Beaverhead Mountains

Landscape Characteristics:

Block faulted mountains that formed in a variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Alpine glaciation and mass wasting have altered the landscape. Elevations range from 7000 to 10200 feet. Drainage density is low to moderate.

Climate:

Mean annual precipitation ranges from 20 to 40 inches, about 50 percent falling as snow. The soil temperature and moisture regimes are cryic and typic ustic.

Potential Vegetation:

Douglas-fir forest/Western spruce-fir forest

Relationships of Dominant Map Unit Components:

Landform Geology Soil Taxa
Mountainsides Limestone/shale/volcanics/colluvium Cryoborolls
Cirquelands Limestone/shale/volcanic materials Cryoborolls/Cryorthents

Disturbance and Land Use:

The primary natural disturbances are fire and mass wasting. Land use is predominantly livestock grazing and recreation.