Central Basin and Range is a region in the central Great Basin occupying parts of Nevada and Utah, marked by a dry, mid-latitude desert climate, north-south trending mountain ranges separated by xeric basins, and common land uses including ranching, mining, and public lands for wildlife and recreation.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Central Basin and Range
CEC Level III Code
10.1.5
CEC Level II Code
10.1 Cold Deserts
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Central Basin and Range, CEC 10.1.5, Central Basin & Range |
| Geographic Range | The Central Basin and Range ecoregion occupies a large portion of Nevada and western Utah, with small extensions into California and southern Idaho. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Central Basin and Range ecoregion has a dry, mid-latitude desert climate, marked by hot summers and mild winters, with mean annual temperatures ranging from 2°C to 14°C and an average annual precipitation of 277 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The region is characterized by north-south trending mountain ranges separated by broad, xeric basins and valleys, with elevations ranging from 1,020 m to more than 4,000 m. |
| Vegetation Cover | Basins are characterized by Great Basin sagebrush or saltbush-greasewood vegetation, while lower mountains feature singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper, and high mountains may contain Douglas fir, white fir, limber pine, whitebark pine, or aspen. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Central Basin and Range is home to diverse fauna, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyote, and endemic desert fish species like the Lahontan cutthroat trout. |
Eco snapshot
Basins are characterized by Great Basin sagebrush or saltbush-greasewood vegetation, while lower mountains feature singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper, and high mountains may contain Douglas fir, white fir, limber pine, whitebark pine, or aspen.
The Central Basin and Range is home to diverse fauna, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyote, and endemic desert fish species like the Lahontan cutthroat trout.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter / early spring | Early nectar/pollen; safe nesting start sites | Plant/maintain early bloomers; leave some bare, well-drained soil; avoid spring pesticide applications |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting materials and undisturbed areas | Add a mix of spring-flowering natives; keep some stems/leaf litter; provide a shallow water source with a landing stone |
| Summer | Heat-resilient flowers; water access; shade/shelter | Plant drought-tough mid-summer bloomers; water new plants wisely; include some afternoon shade or windbreaks if possible |
| Late summer / fall | “Last chance” nectar/pollen; places to overwinter | Add late bloomers; avoid heavy fall cleanup; leave seedheads and stems standing where safe |
| Winter (or cold season) | Shelter; undisturbed habitat | Leave stems, brushy corners, and leaf litter; plan next season’s bloom sequence; avoid disturbing nesting areas |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that take advantage of cooler temperatures and available moisture.
Summer bridge: heat-tough flowers that keep nectar/pollen available through the hottest stretch.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often shrubs and late-season wildflowers) that provide “last chance” food before winter/cold season.
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.
Blazing stars (Liatris) are upright, purple-pink wildflowers that bloom in showy spikes and are well-loved by many pollinators. They’re a strong choice for sunny gardens, borders, and meadow-style plantings.
Gilias (genus Gilia) are airy, nectar-rich wildflowers that can add quick color to sunny spots and help support a variety of pollinators.
Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.
Penstemons (beardtongues) are hardy, flower-filled wildflowers that bring bright color and steady nectar to gardens and containers, especially in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Rabbitbrush is a tough, sun-loving shrub known for its bright yellow late-season blooms that can help keep pollinators fed when many other flowers are fading.
Sagebrushes are tough, aromatic shrubs in the genus Artemisia that can anchor a dry, sunny habitat and offer shelter and seasonal nectar for a range of insects.
Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
