Western Washington
The temperate rainforests of Western Washington are characterized by towering Douglas fir, western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and western red cedar trees. These forests provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including Roosevelt elk, black bears, cougars, and marmots. The understory is often dense with shrubs, ferns, and mosses.
Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington is dominated by sagebrush steppe and desert vegetation. Sagebrush steppe is characterized by low-growing shrubs, such as big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush, and bunchgrasses, such as bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue. Desert vegetation is found in the driest parts of Eastern Washington and is characterized by cacti, succulents, and other drought-tolerant plants.
Other Plant Communities
In addition to temperate rainforests and sagebrush steppe, Washington state is home to a variety of other plant communities, including:
* Alpine meadows are found in the high mountains of Washington state and are characterized by wildflowers, grasses, and sedges.
* Grasslands are found in the eastern and central parts of the state and are dominated by bunchgrasses.
* Riparian areas are found along rivers and streams and are characterized by willows, cottonwoods, and other water-loving plants.
Washington state's diverse vegetation supports a wide variety of wildlife. The state is home to over 300 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, and 30 species of amphibians and reptiles.
