Big sagebrush, gardner saltbush, rhizomatous wheatgrasses, Indian ricegrass, and needleandthread are dominant species. Black sage, gardner saltbush, and bluebunch wheatgrass are common on shallow soils on the uplands. The remainder is in ranches. Most of the land is used for grazing. The range consists of desert shrubs and short grasses.
Open woodland is at high elevations in some mountains.
Small irrigated tracts in isolated valleys are used mainly for hay. 3,100 m. Mountain ranges with steep slopes rise sharply from desert basins. Average annual precipitation 250 to 400 mm. Maximum precipitation is in spring and early in summer. Average annual temperature 7 C. Average freeze-free period Less than 120 days, decreasing with elevation.