List of ecoregions in Oregon facts for kids
This article lists the different ecoregions in Oregon. An ecoregion is a large area of land or water. It has similar types of geology, climate, plants, and animals. Think of them as natural neighborhoods.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) help define these ecoregions. They create maps and reports. These tools help people understand and protect nature. They are used by governments, nature groups, and scientists.
Ecoregions are grouped into four levels. This list shows Levels I, III, and IV.
- Level I divides North America into 15 big ecoregions. Oregon has parts of 3 of these.
- Level III breaks down Level I into 182 smaller ecoregions. Oregon has parts of 9 of these.
- Level IV divides Level III even more. Oregon has 65 Level IV ecoregions. Many of these continue into nearby states like Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and California.
Defining these ecoregions was a big project. It was called the Oregon Ecoregion Project. Many groups worked together. These included the EPA, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the United States Forest Service (USFS).
Oregon has many different natural areas. The west side of the state gets a lot of rain. It has a climate like areas near the ocean. But Eastern Oregon is much drier. It is in the rain shadow of the Cascades mountains. This means the mountains block the rain.
Because of this, Oregon has many different landscapes. You can find forested mountains, glaciated peaks, and shrub-covered plains. There are also farm valleys, beaches, dry desert playas, and wetlands.
Contents
Oregon's Major Ecoregions
Marine West Coast Forest
This ecoregion is found along the coast. It has a lot of rain and mild temperatures.
Coast Range Ecoregion (1)
- 1a Coastal Lowlands
- 1b Coastal Uplands
- 1d Volcanics
- 1f Willapa Hills
- 1g Mid-Coastal Sedimentary
- 1h Southern Oregon Coastal Mountains
- 1i Redwood Zone
Willamette Valley Ecoregion (3)
This valley is a major farming area. It is also home to many cities.
- 3a Portland/Vancouver Basin
- 3b Willamette River and Tributaries Gallery Forest
- 3c Prairie Terraces
- 3d Valley Foothills
Northwest Forested Mountains
This ecoregion includes the tall, forested mountains of Oregon.
Cascades Ecoregion (4)
The Cascades are a major mountain range. They divide western and eastern Oregon.
- 4a Western Cascades Lowlands and Valleys
- 4b Western Cascades Montane Highlands
- 4c Cascade Crest Montane Forest
- 4d Cascade Subalpine/Alpine
- 4e High Southern Cascades Montane Forest
- 4f Southern Cascades
Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills Ecoregion (9)
This area is on the drier, eastern side of the Cascades.
- 9b Grand Fir Mixed Forest
- 9c Oak/Conifer Foothills
- 9d Ponderosa Pine/Bitterbrush Woodland
- 9e Pumice Plateau
- 9f Pumice Plateau Basins
- 9g Klamath/Goose Lake Basins
- 9h Fremont Pine/Fir Forest
- 9i Southern Cascades Slope
- 9j Klamath Juniper Woodland
Blue Mountains Ecoregion (11)
The Blue Mountains are in northeastern Oregon. They have forests and canyons.
- 11a John Day/Clarno Uplands
- 11b John Day/Clarno Highlands
- 11c Maritime-Influenced Zone
- 11d Melange
- 11e Wallowas/Seven Devils Mountains
- 11f Canyons and Dissected Highlands
- 11g Canyons and Dissected Uplands
- 11h Continental Zone Highlands
- 11i Continental Zone Foothills
- 11k Blue Mountain Basins
- 11l Mesic Forest Zone
- 11m Subalpine–Alpine Zone
- 11n Deschutes River Valley
- 11o Cold Basins
Klamath Mountains Ecoregion (78)
These mountains are in southwestern Oregon. They are known for their unique plant life.
- 78a Rogue/Illinois Valleys
- 78b Oak Savanna Foothills
- 78c Umpqua Interior Foothills
- 78d Serpentine Siskiyous
- 78e Inland Siskiyous
- 78f Coastal Siskiyous
- 78g Klamath River Ridges
North American Deserts
This ecoregion covers the drier, eastern parts of Oregon.
Columbia Plateau Ecoregion (10)
This large plateau is mostly flat. It has dry grasslands and canyons.
- 10c Umatilla Plateau
- 10e Pleistocene Lake Basins
- 10g Yakima Folds
- 10i Deep Loess Foothills
- 10k Deschutes/John Day Canyons
- 10n Umatilla Dissected Uplands
Snake River Plain Ecoregion (12)
A small part of this ecoregion extends into eastern Oregon.
- 12a Treasure Valley
- 12j Unwooded Alkaline Foothills
Northern Basin and Range Ecoregion (80)
This area is very dry. It has wide basins and scattered mountains.
- 80a Dissected High Lava Plateau
- 80d Pluvial Lake Basins
- 80e High Desert Wetlands
- 80f Owyhee Uplands and Canyons
- 80g High Lava Plains
- 80j Semiarid Uplands
- 80k Partly Forested Mountains
- 80l Salt Shrub Valleys
- 80m Barren Playas
