Natural Resources

The Inyo National Forest has diverse ecosystems including portions of the Great Basin, Mojave Desert, and Sierra Nevada Bioregions with elevations ranging from 3,800 feet in Owens Valley to 14,495 feet at the peak of Mount Whitney. 

The changing elevation across the national forest, combined with the variability in aspect and slope, variety of geology and soils, and amount and timing of precipitation creates high diversity in ecosystems inhabited by at least 1,300 plant species, and approximately 300 terrestrial wildlife species. 

The Forest’s contribution to social and economic sustainability depends on these resilient ecosystems, with terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity.