Pacific Northwest Mountain Cliff and Talus

EVT 7733North Pacific Montane Massive Bedrock-Cliff and Talus
CES204.093GNRSparseSparsely vegetated
Summary
This ecological system is found from foothill to subalpine elevations and includes barren and sparsely vegetated landscapes (generally <10% vascular plant cover) of steep cliff faces, narrow canyons, and larger rock outcrops of various igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic bedrock types. Also included are unstable scree and talus that typically occur below cliff faces. The dominant process is drought, especially farther south in its distribution, and other extreme growing conditions created by exposed rock or unstable slopes typically associated with steep slopes. Alaskan montane rock and talus probably has a significant component on nonvascular species, and is not drought-limited. Fractures in the rock surface and less steep or more stable slopes may be occupied by small patches of dense vegetation, typically scattered trees and/or shrubs. Characteristic trees includes Callitropsis nootkatensis, Tsuga spp., Thuja plicata, Pseudotsuga menziesii (not in Alaska), or Abies spp. There may be scattered shrubs present, such as Acer circinatum, Alnus viridis, and Ribes spp. Soil development is limited as is herbaceous cover. Mosses or lichens may be very dense, well-developed and display cover well over 10%.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Vegetation
Alaskan montane rock and talus probably has a significant component on nonvascular species, and is not drought-limited. Fractures in the rock surface and less steep or more stable slopes may be occupied by small patches of dense vegetation, typically scattered trees and/or shrubs. Characteristic trees includes Callitropsis nootkatensis (= Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), Tsuga spp., Thuja plicata, Pseudotsuga menziesii (not in Alaska), or Abies spp. There may be scattered shrubs present, such as Acer circinatum, Alnus viridis, and Ribes spp. Soil development is limited as is herbaceous cover. Mosses or lichens may be very dense, well-developed and display cover well over 10%.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Environment
This ecological system is found from foothill to subalpine elevations and includes barren and sparsely vegetated landscapes (generally <10% vascular plant cover) of steep cliff faces, narrow canyons, and larger rock outcrops of various igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic bedrock types. Also included are unstable scree and talus that typically occur below cliff faces. The dominant process is drought, especially farther south in its distribution, and other extreme growing conditions created by exposed rock or unstable slopes typically associated with steep slopes.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system occurs from northern California (north of Sierra Nevada Cliff and Canyon (CES206.901)) to southeastern Alaska.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Tree canopy

Callitropsis nootkatensis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Thuja plicata

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Acer circinatum, Alnus viridis

Herb (field)

Arabis olympica, Astragalus australis var. olympicus, Boechera hastatula, Boechera horizontalis, Cardamine pattersonii, Castilleja chambersii, Chamaenerion latifolium, Erigeron howellii, Hackelia taylorii, Micranthes hitchcockiana, Micranthes tischii, Penstemon eriantherus var. whitedii, Phacelia argentea, Primula austrofrigida, Sedum debile, Sedum spathulifolium, Sedum stenopetalum, Silene seelyi, Sullivantia oregana, Synthyris lanuginosa

Nonvascular

Encalypta brevicollis ssp. crumiana
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (11)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Mammals (3)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Cascade Golden-mantled Ground SquirrelCallospermophilus saturatusG5
Bighorn SheepOvis canadensisG4
North American DeermousePeromyscus maniculatusG5

Birds (5)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Pigeon GuillemotCepphus columbaG5
Common RavenCorvus coraxG5
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusG4
Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalusG5
Rock WrenSalpinctes obsoletusG5

Butterflies & Moths (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Oregon SilverspotArgynnis zerene hippolytaG5T1

Insects (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Olympic GrasshopperNisquallia olympicaG1G2

Other (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
American PipitAnthus rubescensG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (19)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common NameScientific NameG-RankESA Status
Olympic RockcressArabis olympicaG1--
Oregon SilverspotArgynnis zerene hippolytaG5T1Threatened; Experimental population, non-essential
Cotton's MilkvetchAstragalus australis var. olympicusG5T1--
Hell's Canyon RockcressBoechera hastatulaG2--
Crater Lake RockcressBoechera horizontalisG1--
Saddle Mountain BittercressCardamine pattersoniiG2--
Chamber's PaintbrushCastilleja chambersiiG2--
Crum's Extinguisher MossEncalypta brevicollis ssp. crumianaG5T1--
Howell's FleabaneErigeron howelliiG2--
Taylor's StickseedHackelia tayloriiG1--
Saddle Mountain SaxifrageMicranthes hitchcockianaG1--
Olympic SaxifrageMicranthes tischiiG2G3--
Olympic GrasshopperNisquallia olympicaG1G2--
Crested-tongue BeardtonguePenstemon eriantherus var. whitediiG4G5T2--
Silvery PhaceliaPhacelia argenteaG2Threatened
Southerly Frigid ShootingstarPrimula austrofrigidaG2--
Seely's SileneSilene seelyiG3--
Oregon SullivantiaSullivantia oreganaG2--
Cutleaf SynthyrisSynthyris lanuginosaG2--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
State Conservation Ranks (3)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
AKSNR
ORSNR
WASNR
Roadless Areas (90)

Inventoried Roadless Areas where this ecosystem is present, identified from LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type spatial analysis. Coverage indicates the proportion of each area occupied by this ecosystem type.

California (15)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
GrangerModoc National Forest29.2%2.97
SoldierModoc National Forest21.4%874.71
PowleyModoc National Forest14.6%371.25
Mt. VidaModoc National Forest9.9%312.84
Crane Mtn.Modoc National Forest8.8%45.45
DryModoc National Forest6.4%198.9
Bear Camp FlatModoc National Forest5.2%52.29
Sears FlatModoc National Forest4.8%249.84
Mt. BidwellModoc National Forest4.3%204.75
ParsnipModoc National Forest4.3%147.33
Callahan FlowModoc National Forest3.5%94.32
Callahan FlowKlamath National Forest2.7%35.55
Knox Mtn.Modoc National Forest2.4%57.78
Big CanyonModoc National Forest2.0%52.47
Hat Mtn.Modoc National Forest1.6%61.65

Oregon (23)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Charlton ButteWillamette National Forest62.2%763.29
BadlandsWinema National Forest27.6%91.89
Devil's GardenWinema National Forest10.7%22.23
Brown MountainRogue River National Forests10.7%288.81
Brown Mt.Winema National Forest8.9%112.32
CharltonDeschutes National Forest7.4%210.96
Mt. ThielsenWinema National Forest7.3%34.2
Drake - McdowellFremont National Forest6.4%149.94
South PaulinaDeschutes National Forest4.8%174.78
Sky Lakes BWinema National Forest4.4%170.46
Crane MountainFremont National Forest3.5%324
North PaulinaDeschutes National Forest3.4%272.25
HuckleberryWillamette National Forest3.3%10.71
Mt. BaileyUmpqua National Forest2.0%150.66
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest1.8%193.23
Waldo - LakeWillamette National Forest1.7%20.7
Mt. Hood AdditionsMt. Hood National Forest1.6%86.4
Mt. BidwellFremont National Forest1.6%28.44
OlallieMt. Hood National Forest1.1%35.01
Three SistersDeschutes National Forest1.0%30.42
Bend WatershedDeschutes National Forest0.8%46.89
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest0.5%58.68
Maiden PeakDeschutes National Forest0.5%55.89

Washington (52)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Lion RockWenatchee National Forest14.1%268.56
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest8.8%606.15
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest8.1%576.18
White Chuck MountainMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest6.8%163.71
Alpine Lakes Adj.Wenatchee National Forest6.8%1,566.18
Twin LakesWenatchee National Forest6.5%589.77
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest6.4%877.86
ChelanWenatchee National Forest6.2%1,858.68
Gotchen CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest6.1%185.4
Nason RidgeWenatchee National Forest6.0%468.09
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest5.8%1,111.59
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest5.2%2,268
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest5.0%2,484.99
Stormy Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest4.8%635.4
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest4.7%624.69
NaneumWenatchee National Forest4.2%77.4
Mt. Baker WestMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest4.1%422.82
Glacier Peak LMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest3.7%212.4
Myrtle LakeWenatchee National Forest3.6%163.17
EntiatWenatchee National Forest3.5%1,029.42
Slide RidgeWenatchee National Forest3.5%159.75
Devils GulchWenatchee National Forest3.3%322.38
Jefferson RidgeOlympic National Forest3.3%85.86
Hidden LakeMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest3.0%79.02
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest2.8%834.3
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest2.5%61.56
Canyon CreekWenatchee National Forest2.4%78.48
QuartzWenatchee National Forest2.4%82.08
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest2.4%97.56
Wodouglas Adj.Wenatchee National Forest2.3%168.3
Silver StarGifford Pinchot National Forest2.2%67.95
Glacier Peak IMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest2.1%130.41
Glacier Peak HMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest2.1%86.76
ManastashWenatchee National Forest1.7%78.57
Glacier Peak GMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest1.6%54.99
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest1.6%149.22
Higgins MountainMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest1.6%86.4
Upper SkokomishOlympic National Forest1.6%58.86
Norse PeakMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest1.5%57.24
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest1.4%180.81
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest1.2%94.5
LightningOlympic National Forest1.0%29.61
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest1.0%101.52
TiffanyOkanogan National Forest1.0%88.74
Long SwampOkanogan National Forest1.0%261.54
Granite MountainOkanogan National Forest0.9%101.61
Alma CopperMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest0.9%30.06
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest0.8%181.71
Dark DivideGifford Pinchot National Forest0.7%158.67
PompeyGifford Pinchot National Forest0.7%71.64
TaneumWenatchee National Forest0.7%77.76
Mt. Baker NorthMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest0.6%42.57
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.