Cascades (ecoregion)
| Cascades | |
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Scattered patches of subalpine fir grow below glaciers and permanent snowfields on the south slope of Mount Rainier in ecoregion 4d.
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Level III ecoregions of the Pacific Northwest. The Cascades ecoregion is marked with (4).
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| Ecology | |
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| Geography | |
| Area | 44,952 km2 (17,356 sq mi) |
| Country | United States |
| States | Washington, Oregon and California |
| Coordinates | 45°N 122°W / 45°N 122°WCoordinates: 45°N 122°W / 45°N 122°W |
The Cascades ecoregion is a Level III ecoregion designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Somewhat smaller than the Cascade mountain range for which it is named, the ecoregion extends north to Snoqualmie Pass, near Seattle, and south to Hayden Pass, near the Oregon-California border, including the peaks and western slopes of most of the High Cascades. A discontiguous section is located on Mount Shasta in California.
The mountainous region is underlain by Cenozoic volcanic rock that has been affected by alpine glaciations. The eastern part of the region contains active and dormant volcanoes in the Cascades Volcanic Arc, with elevations of up to 11,239 feet (3,426 m). The western Cascades are older, lower, and dissected by numerous, steep-sided stream valleys. The region has a moist, temperate climate, which supports an extensive and highly productive coniferous forest that is intensively managed for logging, as well as recreational use. Subalpine meadows occur at higher elevations.
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