Plants
The Bridger-Teton National Forest, a majestic landscape of mountains, rushing rivers, and sweeping valleys, is more than just a visual spectacle. It's a vibrant ecosystem teeming with life, particularly in its diverse plant communities. Home to over 1000 species of vascular plants, the forest showcases a remarkable array of flora, each adapted to thrive in specific microclimates dictated by soil, moisture, slope, aspect, and elevation.
The arrangement of these plants isn't random; plants with similar needs often cluster together, forming distinct plant communities that paint a vivid picture across the landscape. We can broadly categorize these communities within Bridger-Teton National Forest into four prominent zones: sagebrush flats, riparian corridors and wetlands, forests, and the high alpine areas.
Stretching across the valley floor of Jackson Hole, the sagebrush flats might initially appear monotonous, dominated by the ubiquitous silvery-green mountain big sagebrush (*Artemisia tridentata spp. vaseyana*). However, this seemingly barren landscape harbors a surprising diversity of plant life supporting hundreds of species of wildlife from insect pollinators, birds, pronghorn antelope, to grizzly bears. The sagebrush ecosystem is especially important to provide winter forage to sage grouse, antelope, mule deer, and even moose. The loose, rocky soil, a legacy of glacial outwash, allows water to percolate quickly, creating a unique environment that supports a variety of specialized species.
Spring brings a burst of color to the flats, with wildflowers like arrowleaf balsamroot, scarlet gilia, silvery lupine, and low larkspur dotting the landscape. Interspersed among the sagebrush are other hardy shrubs such as antelope bitterbrush, fringed sagebrush, and rubber rabbitbrush, all contributing to the rich tapestry of life in this often-overlooked ecosystem. Grasses make up one of the most widely distributed plant types in existence especially in this community. Grasses are present in every community in the forest from wetlands to sagebrush flats, to forests, to the alpine zone.
Wherever they grow, grasses are an integral element of the ecological tapestry. Grasses are the chief food source for much of the native wildlife: bison, elk, marmots and many insect species. Other animal species use grasses to supplement their diets, especially our cattle and sheep grazing herds on our 106 active grazing allotments across the Forest. While these healthy rangelands provide forage for the livestock, the grasses also provide cover and nesting material for a variety of songbirds and the imperiled Greater sage grouse. Many small mammals use grasses to build nests and insulate burrows against the severe climate. Grasses stabilize soils and help provide a substrate for other plants to grow. The dense root structure of grass holds soil in place reducing erosion.
In stark contrast to the dry flats, the riparian corridors and wetlands pulse with moisture, providing refuge for water-loving plants. These vital areas stretch along the Snake River, Buffalo Fork River, Greys River, and the Hams Fork River, as well as their numerous tributaries.
Narrow leaf cottonwood and various species of willows thrive along these watercourses, forming vibrant green ribbons that weave across the landscape. Their presence provides essential shade and habitat for a variety of wildlife. The adjacent wet meadows are a haven for grasses, sedges, and a dazzling array of wildflowers, transforming into vibrant carpets of color throughout the growing season.
The Bridger-Teton is also home to dozens of rare and sensitive plant species, including Teton wirelettuce a beautiful pink flower in the Rose family, which is only known from the tributaries of the Snake River. Discovered only 21st century, it is an example of how new species can be discovered especially on public land that has remained protected for generations. Teton wirelettuce loves the rocky cobbles that frame the streams feeding the Snake River. Botanists are still discovering new populations of this hidden gem. Even more reason to protect the rivers and streams that feed the headwaters of the Snake and Green River basins, harboring a great diversity of plants and animals, and providing clean water for millions of users downstream.
Climbing the canyons, mountainsides, and ridges, the landscape transitions into a realm of towering trees. These areas, often formed by glacial debris called moraines, boast soils capable of retaining moisture, creating ideal conditions for forest growth.
Conifers dominate these slopes, painting the landscape in varying shades of green. Common tree species include lodgepole, limber, and whitebark pines, alongside Engelmann and blue spruce, and Douglas and subalpine fir. These forests provide crucial habitat for a vast array of wildlife and play a vital role in regulating water flow and preventing erosion.
Reaching the highest elevations of Bridger-Teton National Forest reveals a starkly different landscape – the alpine zone. These rocky areas are characterized by harsh growing conditions: relentless wind, heavy snow, thin or nonexistent soil, intense ultraviolet radiation, and extreme temperature fluctuations.
Yet, even in this challenging environment, life perseveres. Plants specially adapted to these conditions cling to life, showcasing remarkable resilience. These tenacious species, often low-growing and densely packed in what is known as a “cushion”, form specialized communities that are vital to the fragile alpine ecosystem. You can find mats of baby blue alpine forget-me-nots, vibrant pink moss campion, spotted saxifrage, and flaming red dwarf fireweed to name a few.
Pika and other species like bighorn sheep depend on the abundance and diversity of plant life that flourishes during the short growing season in the alpine. Even grizzly bears venture into the alpine in search of Army Cutworm moths that proliferate in certain shale slopes. The alpine areas and the glaciers that cling to the cliffs are shrinking.
The diverse plant communities of Bridger-Teton National Forest are not isolated entities. They are interconnected, each playing a crucial role in the overall health and stability of the ecosystem. Understanding these relationships is critical for effective conservation efforts.
By recognizing the specific needs of each plant community and the factors that influence their distribution, we can work to conserve these valuable resources for future generations. From the subtle beauty of the sagebrush flats to the dramatic splendor of the alpine meadows, the plants of Bridger-Teton National Forest offer a glimpse into the remarkable adaptability and resilience of life in the face of challenging environments. It's a tapestry of life worth preserving, a testament to the power, diversity, and beauty of the natural world.