M331Ai Absaroka Sedimentary Mountains

Landscape Characteristics:

Steep mountains with narrow valleys that formed in sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Elevations range from 5000 to 11000 feet. Drainage density is moderate to high.

Climate:

Mean annual precipitation ranges from 40 to 80 inches, about 55 percent falling as snow. The soil temperature and moisture regimes cryic and typic ustic.

Potential Vegetation:

Douglas-fir forest/Western spruce-fir forest

Relationships of Dominant Map Unit Components:

Landform Geology Soil Taxa
Mountainsides/ridges Rhyolite/shale/limestone Cryochrepts/Cryoborolls/Cryoboralfs

Disturbance and Land Use:

The primary natural disturbances are fire, insects, disease, and mass wasting. Land use is predominantly recreational activities and development, and some timber harvest and mining.