Defining the American West

• 1. What is the West?Five factors that distinguish the region4/17/2013

2. 1) Much of the West is dominated by federal landSource: Protected Area Database, Conservation Biology InstituteJoint/unknownUrbanized areasPrivate conservationLocal/regionalStateTribalFederalTribal and state-owned land also common2 3. 2) Aridity is common west of the 100th Meridian100thMeridianAverage annualprecipitation:1951-2002 (inches)But it sure is wet in the Pacific Northwest3Source: Climate Wizard 4. 3) Huge variations in elevation and temperatureDeath Valley, -282 feetMount Whitney, 14,505 feetSource: Climate WizardU.S. averagetemperatures:1951-2006Lowest and tallest points in the lower 48 just 85 miles apart4 5. 4) The West supports agreat diversity ecoregionsSource: The Nature Conservancy 5 6. 5) Growing share of U.S. population lives in WestSource: U.S. Census Bureau0%5%10%15%20%25%0102030405060708090MillionsPopulation of 11Western states% of U.S. populationin 11 Western states6 7. ecowest.orgDownload more slides and other resources4/17/2013 7