Novasola Biomes and Ecoregions

Covering nearly 495,000 square miles and ranging in elevation from sea level to over 15,000 ft, Novasola and its surrounding satellite islands are extremely diverse ecologically. The state is home to coastal rainforests, arid grasslands, alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks, immense freshwater systems, savannah woodland, glacial fjords and so much more. Due to its topographic and climatic diversity, Novasola is home to countless ecosystems and endemic species found nowhere else. 

Broadly, Novasola’s ecology can be divided into general categories separated by geography, climate, and species composition. For the purposes of this exhibit, these discrete geographical and ecological categories are called biomes. Biome definitions are by definition broad and somewhat arbitrary. They do not account for, or rather are inclusive of, smaller-scale variation. For example, much of western Novasola is considered coniferous forest, but within that delineation there may be meadows, riparian areas, wetlands, rocky slopes, etc. Also, biomes delineated with distinct borders do not reflect the natural gradients between ecotypes. Cape George is divided into two biomes, for example, but the lines separating discrete ecosystems on the Cape are not hard and clear and can instead be somewhat subjective. 

Biomes are shaped by the geography of the island itself and by the surrounding ocean environment. The North Pacific Current flows eastward just south of Novasola which brings warm water from the subtropics before flowing into the Gulf of Alaska, where it circulates and eventually cools. Cold water from the Gulf and the Bering Sea flow past Novasola’s northern and western coasts and converge with the North Pacific Current southwest of the island. This collision of warm and cold currents causes frequent storms, which along with warm temperatures and moisture are brought by the southwesterly prevailing winds to the island. As a result, Novasola experiences warmer temperatures in the south and east and colder temperatures in the northwest.

Map of ocean currents, temperatures, and prevailing wind directions affecting Novasola

Novasola supports numerous distinct terrestrial biomes and between three and six aquatic biomes, each supporting unique biological communities. Western Novasola is covered in mountains, including the prominent Angelic and Paramount chains, which buffer the island against the winds and create a significant rain-shadow effect. This means as air rises over the mountains it dumps its moisture as precipitation, drenching the western slopes and leaving the east sides arid. West of the Paramounts Novasola is covered in thick coniferous forests, including large areas of temperate rainforest. East of the divide Novasola is generally more arid, especially in the interior where not enough moisture penetrates to support forests and instead shrublands and grasslands dominate. Conversely, the Morning Mountains buffer Novasola from weather coming off the Gulf of Alaska, so their eastern slopes also support forests. High elevations may host alpine tundra, and Novasola’s many glaciers, though receding quickly, are mostly located in the central mountain ranges and along the north coast. The island is steep, with many fast-flowing rivers which create gorges, canyons, and wetlands, as well as countless lakes and ponds, including the eighth-largest lake in the US, Great Shadow Lake. The ocean waters surrounding Novasola include salt marshes, estuaries, shallow nearshore waters, immense kelp forests, and deep ocean.      

The following map and information detail some of the major terrestrial biomes of Novasola.

Generalized map of terrestrial biomes on Novasola. This map is simplified and averaged over hundreds of square kilometers, and thus may not fully or accurately represent any given specific location. It does not include smaller biomes like alpine tundra, lakes, rivers, and wetlands, nor does it include anthropogenic land use like agriculture or development.

·        Conifer Forest

The largest single biome on Novasola, covering most of the island west of the divide, the upper Morning Mountains, and most of the major outlying islands. This broad term applies to areas dominated by forests of coniferous trees, commonly but not exclusively Coopers-fir. This biome experiences high precipitation, with cool, wet winters and warmer, drier summers. This biome can be further split into numerous distinct ecosystems, including coastal, montane, subapline, and alpine or krummholz forests.

  

·        Temperate Rainforest

Similar to other coniferous forests, this biome is distinguished mainly by the greater amount of moisture and precipitation (greater than 150 cm annually). Generally warmer, wetter, and lower elevation than conifer forest. Small patches can be found across western Novasola, but three major areas of temperate rainforest include the southwest, the southern Tower Peninsula, and the slopes of the Great Shadow Lake basin. Notably, this biome can also be distinguished by the presence of Island Redwood groves, and include the tallest forests on Novasola. Redwood rainforests support numerous species, and this biome is the most biodiverse on the island.

 

·        Mixed Forest

Mixed coniferous/broadleaf forests are common in eastern and southern Novasola. This biome is also dominated by forest, but can be distinguished by the greater presence and percentage of broadleaf and deciduous tree species. These forests grow in areas with less moisture than conifer or rainforests. The mixed forest biome typically experiences more dramatic seasonal shifts than other biomes. For one, deciduous trees drop their leaves in the winter, even though many broadleaf trees, like madrone and some oaks, are evergreen like the conifers. Secondly, mixed forests on Novasola include many species of mast-producing trees which create notable, seasonal cyclic booms of fruit nutrients.

 

·        Savannah and Woodland

Woodlands are tree-dominated landscapes that are too arid or otherwise incapable of supporting trees at the density of true forests. Savannahs are mixed woodland-grassland ecosystems sparsely foliated by trees. This biome serves as an in-between of sorts between forests and grasslands, though the range of tree densities included in this biome is varied and somewhat arbitrary. On Novasola, the Savannah and Woodland biome includes oak-, dry pine-, and juniper-dominated areas, typically with understories of grasses and shrubs. They are relatively arid and found mostly in the interior, like the Twin River Basin or on the outer edges of the central prairie.      

 

·        Shrubland and Grassland

Shrublands are areas without tree canopies but dominated by shrubs and woody plants, while grasslands are dominated by grasses and other nonwoody, or herbaceous, plants. Typically they exist on a moisture gradient, with shrublands receiving more annual moisture than grasslands. On Novasola, the Shrubland and Grassland biome covers most of the interior, as well as a portion of the Tower Peninsula. Called the Prairie, the central grassland isn’t a true grassland or prairie, but instead mostly shrubland dominated by sagebrush and manzanita. Grasslands are more common deeper into the interior where shrubs give way to numerous grass and sedge species including Green Tremblehead and Island Brome. Occasional trees may be found scattered or in riparian areas, especially cottonwoods, willows, and oaks. This biome is surprisingly diverse, especially in herbaceous plants and wildflowers, and supports, or supported, large populations of ungulates and other large mammals like bison.

 

·        Alpine Tundra (not pictured)

Alpine tundra is a treeless biome located at high elevations, above the treeline. The vegetation community is dominated by short woody shrubs, grasses, mosses, and lichen. The climate is harsh and cold, with cool, windy summers and buried under snow during the winter. Novasola has large stretches of tundra in the high Paramounts, but smaller areas of tundra can be found at the highest elevations in the Morning Mountains and Angelics.  

 

·        Freshwater

Novasola has numerous freshwater biomes (not pictured on map) including vast river systems, various wetland types, and lakes and ponds, including the eigth-largest lake in the United States, Great Shadow Lake. Many freshwater systems are tied to ocean systems through Novasola’s many anadromous fish, notably salmon, which spawn in rivers and lakes but migrate to the ocean.  

While biomes may be useful for general descriptions of broad areas, narrower or more specific categorization may be more useful, especially when distinguishing separate areas or ecosystems within the same general biome. In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), and United States Geological Survey (USGS) divided the country into discrete areas called Ecoregions. Ecoregions are geographically and ecologically distinct areas that share similar geographic, topographic, hydrological, and biological characteristics, most notably climate and ecological communities and species. These ecoregions are more specific than biomes and more tied to particular locations, and can themselves be subdivided into more specific categories. Novasola is divided into seven Level III ecoregions (1, 2, etc.) and 23 Level IV ecoregions (1a, 2b, etc.). While ecoregion definitions are more detailed than general biomes, they are still broad and cover wide natural variation. Most, if not all, ecoregions contain multiple ecosystem types and may hold areas that differ from the more broad biome characterization. Ecoregion borders, like biomes, are somewhat arbitrary and not reflective of the natural variation and gradients of ecosystems, but can be delineated based on topographic boundaries like coasts, elevation, or mountains, or by ecological boundaries like forest-prairie edges. Understanding Novasola’s ecoregions may help to understand its biodiversity and biogeography, and give more context to species range maps and habitat requirements. Details for each of Novasola’s Level II and Level IV ecoregions are featured below.

Map of Level III and IV ecoregions on Novasola as delineated by the EPA

1.    Western Range

The Western Range ecoregion, not to be confused with the socioeconomic region of the same name (see here), comprises most of the land east of the Paramounts and is the second largest ecoregion by area. It includes the entire west coast as well as portions of the northern coast and Cape George. In general the Western Range is dominated by conifer forests and extremely high precipitation. It is split into six subregions (level IV).

a.      Western Rainforest

The Western Rainforest ecoregion spans Novasola’s southwest coast and includes the Angelic Mountain foothills. The region is large and topographically varied, filled with steep mountains and deep valleys. It is positioned to receive the bulk of prevailing winds to the island from the offshore confluence of the warm Pacific Current and cold Alaska Stream, which are then buffeted by the Angelic Mountains. Thus the region is on average the wettest and sees that greatest amount of rainfall. Coastal areas are often blanketed in thick fog and suffer frequent storms. The climate is wet and warm, akin to that of coastal northern California in the south and southern Washington in the north. As the name suggests, the region’s vegetation community is dominated by dense forests with a tall, rain-adapted conifer canopy and a diverse understory. The Western Rainforest ecoregion has the highest biodiversity in the Western Range, especially in plants, fungi, and amphibians. Dominant tree species include the Island Redwood (Novasequoia insulus), Coopers-fir (Pseudotsuga cooperii), Dugout Cedar (Thuja cavalinter), and Pacific Hemlock (Tsuga pacificus) in the canopy and Novasola Madrone (Arbutus novasolensis), Ciganak Yew (Taxus ciganakus), birch, and alder in the subcanopy. Cottonwoods, maples, and willows are common in riparian areas. The understory is diverse and varied but is dominated by Island Rhododendron (Rhododendron insulatus), Novasola Dogwood (Cornus aladacus), ceanothus, salal, vaccinium, and ferns. Mosses, lichen, and epiphytic plants are prevalent at every strata from ground to canopy and are more diverse here than anywhere on Novasola. While Island Redwoods may be found throughout western Novasola, this is one of only three ecoregions where redwood groves are common.  

  

b.     Western Spruce Coast

The narrow Western Spruce Coast ecoregion stretches along Novasola’s west coast between the rainforests to the south and the colder forests to the north. Elevations in the region go from sea level to ~3,000 ft. The Spruce Coast receives lots of precipitation and fog and the climate is wet and cool, similar to the coasts of British Columbia. The vegetation community is dominated by Sickle-leaf Spruce (Picea falcata) forests. Sickle-leaf Spruce comprises the vast majority of canopy trees, though Dugout Cedar and Coopers-fir may be found. Alders, birch, and cottonwood are common in riparian areas and drainages. The understory is dominated by ceanothus, salal, vaccinium, and ferns.  

 

c.      Angelic Mountains

The Angelic Mountain ecoregion encompasses the titular mountain chain as well as a large portion of the western interior. Topographically variable, it includes mountains, valleys, and ranges between ~2,000 – 8,700 feet. The Angelics buffer the rest of Novasola from the prevailing winds, dumping rain and fog on the western and southern slopes. In the south especially high-altitude wetlands and bogs are common in-between peaks. The climate is generally wet and cool. Snow in the winter is common, especially in the north and at higher elevations. Vegetation is variable in the region. Lower and mid-elevations are dominated by Coopers-fir forests, with canopies of Coopers-fir, Pacific Hemlock, Goldcedar (Callitropsis occidentalis), Dugout Cedar, Novasola Madrone, and Island Redwood. Higher elevation forests are comprised of Coopers-fir, Pacific Hemlock, Novasola Larch (Larix novasolensis), Island White Pine (Pinus insulatus), and firs. The high peaks are dominated by Nuttall’s Fir (Abies nutalli), Novasola Black Fir (Abies nigra), Island White Pine, and Novasola Larch. The subcanopy is diverse but most commonly includes Island Rhododendron, dogwood, madrone, and yew. The understory is dominated by various shrubs, berries, and ferns. High elevations may host alpine communities of berries and wildflowers. Cottonwood, alder, birch, and willow are prevalent in riparian areas.  

 

d.     Chidkayook Valley

The Chidkayook Valley ecoregion, unsurprisingly, encompasses the Chidkayook river and Great Shadow Lake valley, including the western slopes of the Uludaq mountains. The elevation ranges from sea level at the river’s mouth to over 11,000 feet east into the Paramounts. This region experiences high precipitation in the eastern highlands but significantly less precipitation at lower elevations than surrounding regions. As a result, it can essentially be split into two subregions, the lowlands and the Uludaq slopes. In the lowlands the vegetation community is dominated by Coopers-fir forests which may also include Pacific Hemlock, Dugout Cedar, and occasional Island Redwoods. The Uludaqs and eastern portions of the region are temperate rainforests dominated by Redwood groves and forests of Goldcedar and Coopers-fir. High elevations feature forests of Black Fir, Nuttall’s Fir, Novasola Larch, Island White Pine, and Paramount Pine (Pinus uludaqus). The Chidkayook Valley ecoregion is one of three that include temperate rainforests. The climate is cool, comparable to that of Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

e.      North Coast

The North Coast ecoregion is on average the coldest in the western range and the only place on Novasola where low-elevation glaciers can be found. The climate is comparable to that of coastal Alaska. Snow is common even at low elevations during the winter. Elevations in the region range from sea level to 8,000 feet. Vegetation is dominated by conifer forests, particularly of Sickle-leaf Spruce and Coopers-fir. Goldcedar and firs are more common at higher elevations. Notably, very few broadleaf trees can be found and no madrones.  

 

f.       Cape George Highlands

The Cape George Highlands are the southernmost portion of the western range, and the warmest. They experience high precipitation and winds, as well as frequent storms, but have a generally mild climate of hot summers and mild winters, comparable to San Fransisco, California. The region ranges in elevation from sea level to ~1,000 feet. The outer Cape is dominated by Coopers-fir forests while the inner region is dominated by mixed forests of Coopers-fir, Novasola Madrone, cedars, cottonwoods, maples, and hemlock.

 

2.   Twin Rivers

The Twin Rivers ecoregion encompasses, as the name suggests, the Twin River Basin, as well as a portion of Cape George. In general, the region is more arid than the Western Range and is dominated mostly by savannah and broadleaf forests. It is split into two subregions.

 

a.      Twin River Valleys

The Twin River Valleys ecoregion includes the Castor and Pollux River watersheds. It ranges in elevation from sea level to over 5,000 feet, but averages below 1,000 feet. It is warm and mild, with moderate precipitation. The climate is similar to that of the Willamette Valley in Oregon, with hot summers and mild winters, except at the highest elevations. The soil across most of the region is deep and fertile. Plant communities are dominated by oak savannah in the lowlands, with dominant species including Castor Oak (Quercus castorus), Baker Oak (Quercus bakeri), Novasola Madrone, Forster Pine (Pinus forsterii), Coopers-fir, and various shrubs and grasses. Coopers-fir forests take over at higher elevations.

 

b.     Cape George Lowlands

The Cape George Lowlands ecoregion covers the low-elevation northern coast of Cape George. Though most of the area within the ecoregion is saltmarsh or other wetlands, drier areas and uplands are dominated by oak savannah. Common trees include Baker Oak, Castor Oak, Novasola Madrone, and Coopers-fir. Wetlands are dominated by marsh plants like cattails and reeds.

 

3.   Francis Islands

The Francis Islands, sandwiched between Charlotte Sound, Fairweather Sound, and the Tower Peninsula, contain a unique collection of species originating from both sides of the Paramounts. They also contain two major ecoregions, separated by significant differences in moisture and thus ecological communities. For more information on the Francis Islands, see this post.

 

a.      Francis Island Conifers

Most of the Francis Islands, including West Francis and the southern half of East Francis are covered by conifer forest, temperate rainforest, and extensive wetlands. This region experiences high precipitation from the prevailing winds and warm temperatures, comparable to Northern California or southern Oregon. Forests are dominated by Sickle-leaf Spruce, Dugout Cedar, Pacific Hemlock, and Ciganak Yew at lower elevations and Island White Pine, Francis Island Fir (Abies franciscus), Francis Goldcedar (Callitropsis occidentalis franciscus), and Coopers-fir at higher elevations. Temperate rainforests include Island Redwoods.   

 

b.     East Francis Savannah

The East Francis Savannah ecoregion encompasses the northern half of East Francis Island. It is similar to the nearby Spanish Hills and Fairweather Sound ecoregions. Located on the leeward side of mountains, this region is arid and dominated by dry savannah. Dominant plants include Francis Oak (Quercus franciscus), Baker Oak, Francis Pine (Pinus forsterii insulates), Novasola Madrone, Novasola Red Juniper (Juniperus rubra), various understory oaks, manzanita, sagebrush, and silver-grass.

  

4.   Paramounts

The Paramount Ecoregion covers the Paramount mountain chain dividing Novasola in two. Many of the peaks in this system are permanently snow-capped, and this chain contains the bulk of Novasola's remaining glaciers, outside some isolated northern bays and a few other peaks, and many Paramount peaks host alpine tundra. They separate Novasola into distinct eastern and western regions and create the rain-shadow which allows for the rainforests and grasslands on either side. This line from north to south which divides Novasola into two major climatic systems and watersheds is called the Novasolan Mountain Divide, and often this term, or just "divide", is often used when discussing east/west direction and Novasolan geography in general. The ecoregion ranges in elevation from sea level at the Weeping Wall to 15,855 feet at the peak of Mount Atlas. Generally high elevation with a cool climate, the Paramounts are diverse and are split into six subregions.

 

a.      Paramount Montane Forest

The Paramount Montane Forest ecoregion is the largest ecoregion in the Paramounts and covers most of the mid-elevation slopes. Stretching north-south nearly the entire length of Novasola (over 1,100 kilometers), the Paramount Montane Forest experiences dramatic differences in climate. In the south the region is warm and mild with heavy rainfall, akin to the Cascades in Oregon, and cold, harsh climates in the north with frequent snowfall in the winter, more similar to Anchorage, Alaska. Plant life is consequently diverse, but generally dominated by conifer forests of Coopers-fir, Paramount Pine, Novasola Larch, Nuttall’s Fir, Novasola Black Fir, and aspen. Riparian areas will host alder, birch, and willow. Common understory plants include Ciganak Yew, Novasola Dogwood, Island Rhododendron, and vaccinium. Agdaka Pass west of Artemis is a low-elevation pass between the Tower and Arrowhead mountains that allows moisture to pass over the divide and brings the ecoregion lower to sea level at Fairweather Sound.

 

b.     Tower Rainforest

The Tower Rainforest is located on the southern slopes of the Tower mountains. The region experiences a warm climate with higher amounts of precipitation and more frequent storms than anywhere else on Novasola. As a result, the region is dominated by Island Redwood temperate rainforests. This is one of three ecoregions that host common redwood groves. The coast is peppered with coastal wetlands and estuaries. This rainforest differs from others in its more frequent disturbance events, so old-growth mature stands are smaller and disturbed areas of early successional forest are widespread. Common plant species include Island Redwood, Goldcedar, Dugout Cedar, Ciganak Yew, Island Rhododendron, Novasola Dogwood, willow, alder, birch, vaccinium, rubus, and many ferns, mosses, and epiphytic plants. Saltmarshes host many species of reeds, sedges, and grasses.

 

c.      Spanish Hills

The Spanish Hills ecoregion is a small region positioned between the Towers and Francis Strait. The area includes the rugged foothills of the Towers, behind the rainshadow. As a result the ecoregion is defined by more arid forests and woodlands of mixed conifer and broadleaf species. It exists as a gradient between more conifer-dominated forests on the coast and grasslands in the north. Common tree species include Novasola Madrone, Forster Pine, Coopers-fir, and Baker Oak. The understory is filled with shrubs like manzanita, oaks, and sumac and various grasses and herbaceous plants.

 

d.     Tower Grasslands

The Tower Grasslands are north of the Towers and south of Fairweather Sound. This ecoregion is arid and dominated by steep sloped grasslands and shrubland. The elevation ranges from ~1,000 to just under 10,000 feet. At low elevations the region is characterized by grasses like Tremblehead (Elymus tremuloides) and Island Brome (Bromus novasolensis) but as the elevation increases more shrubland can be found before giving way to conifer forest. Despite geographic isolation and extreme topography, this region has a similar ecological community to the central prairie.

 

e.      Eastern Paramount Lowlands

The Eastern Paramount Lowlands include a narrow band of foothill forest where the Paramounts meet the prairie. This ecoregion represents a transitional zone from montane forest to grassland and is dominated by dry pine forests of Yellowcone Pine (Pinus flavostrobilus), Forster Pine, Paramount Pine, Hornnut Oak (Quercus skolocarpa), aspen, and cottonwood. The region is arid and rocky with poor soils.

 

f.       High Paramounts

The High Paramounts ecoregion includes high-elevation areas of the Paramounts where tundra may be found. It can be found at lower elevations further north where the climate is colder and ranges from ~7,000 feet to 15,855 feet. The ecoregion is characterized by a mosaic of alpine forest, krummholz, and tundra. In tree covered areas common species include Paramount Pine, Island White Pine, Novasola Black Fir, Nuttall’s Fir, and aspen. Tundra areas are covered in short shrubs, berries, and herbaceous flowers. Highly seasonal environment, many areas are covered in deep snowpack for half the year. The highest elevations are permanently snow-capped, and there are numerous glaciers.

 

5.   Central Prairie

While labeled the Central Prairie Ecoregion, the shrub- and grasslands of central Novasola are called many names, typically with some variation on “central” or “interior” and “prairie”, “steppe”, or “desert”. The term “prairie” is a carryover from American settlers and used by most civilians, but the scientific community tends to use “steppe”. The ecoregion covers most of central Novasola, from Fairweather Sound in the south to the north coast. The Prairie is generally quite arid and lacking in dense forests. The climate is varied, with warmer weather to the south and significantly colder weather in the north.

 

a.      Fairweather Sound

The Fairweather Sound ecoregion surrounds, as the name suggests, Fairweather Sound. It is characterized by a warm and mild Mediterranean climate similar to Monterey and the central coast of California. It is on average the warmest ecoregion on Novasola, and the climate is extremely stable with little seasonal variation. The soils here are rocky and the region is dominated by coastal savannah and chapparal. On Novasola, the term “chapparal” refers to the coastal scrubland found mostly in this region that is characterized by mixed shrub communities of manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), oak, sagebrush (Artemisia spp.), buckwheat, rubus, and trees like Hornnut Oak, Fairweather Oak (Quercus fairweatheri), Novasola Madrone, and Novasola Red Juniper. Other trees like Forster Pine, Coopers-fir, and maples are also common. The topography of the region is generally steep coastlines and hilly interiors.

 

b.     Prairie Interior

The Prairie Interior is the single largest ecoregion on Novasola. It is the most arid region on the island, often called a desert, and is characterized by immense stretches of shrubland and grassland steppe. The precipitation it does receive comes mostly as snow in the winter or as isolated thunderstorms in the summer. This region experiences the most dramatic shifts in seasonal temperatures, with sweltering hot summers and freezing cold winters. Its climate is comparable to that of southeastern Washington. The region generally becomes more arid further inland, with the deep interior covered mostly in grasslands of Tremblehead, Island Brome, Silver-grass (Miscanthus pacificus), and numerous other grasses, and the outer portions dominated by sagebrush shrublands. Trees are uncommon in uplands except for occasional Novasola Black Juniper (Juniperus nigra). Riparian areas or wetlands may host other trees, commonly cottonwood, alder, willow, and oaks. Topography is varied in the region and can be locally intense with many deep canyons, rocky cliffs, and mountains and buttes, but on average the prairie is the flattest ecoregion on Novasola and ranges between ~1,000 and ~5,000 feet in elevation.

 

c.      Northern Savannah

The Northern Savannah ecoregion is a narrow band of dry pine woodland that separates the prairie interior from the north coast. It ranges in elevation from ~200 to 6,000 feet. The region is arid, though less so than the prairie, and features woodlands, savannah, and shrublands in a transition between prairie and coastal forest. Dominant tree species include Hornnut Oak, Yellowcone Pine, Novasola Red Juniper, and other oaks and pines. Understory species include sagebrush, manzanita, juniper, buckwheat, rubus, and various grasses, especially silver-grass.

 

d.     Northern Mixed Forest

The Northern Mixed Forest stretches along the northeastern coast. The region is semi-arid seasonally and features mixed conifer-broadleaf forests dominated by Coopers-fir, Forster Pine, Novasola Madrone, Hornnut Oak, Novasola Larch, maples, cottonwood, and aspen. Understory plants include manzanita, sumac, oaks, juniper, vaccinium, rubus, and other berries. The forest is variably dense, in some places hardly a woodland but in others a thick forest. Offshore storms are common, especially in the fall, and precipitation in the winter occasionally falls as snow. This ecoregion is the most biodiverse in the Central Prairie, and shares species with both western, central, and eastern portions of the island, making it one of the most biodiverse areas on Novasola, albeit in species richness, not necessarily abundance.

 

6.   Kosatka Island

Located 105 kilometers from Novasola’s main island, Kosatka Island, over 9,960 square kilometers in size, is geographically isolated and hosts a number of unique ecosystems and endemic species. The climate of Kosatka Island is moderated by the Alaska Current which brings mild-to-cool temperatures and heavy precipitation. High elevations on the island experience subpolar oceanic climates. In general, Kosatka’s climate is similar to that of Haida Gwaii, Canada, and of far-southern Alaska. The island experiences cool summers and relatively mild winters, with minor changes in seasonal average temperatures. It also experiences heavy rainfall throughout much of the year, as well as occasional snow in the winter, especially at higher elevations. Fog, mist, and low-hanging clouds are common. The Gulf of Alaska, in which Kosatka Island sits, experiences frequent storms, and as a result Kosatka Island is often battered by intense winds, waves, and precipitation. The Kosatka Island ecoregion encompasses the entirety of the island and is comprised mostly of dense conifer forests and wetlands. Much of the island is covered in forests dominated by Coopers-fir, Kosatka Spruce (Picea kosatkana), Kosatka Redcedar (Thuja kosatkana), Goldcedar, Pacific Hemlock, and Ciganak Yew. Steep slopes support temperate rainforests, but Island Redwoods are not found here. Higher elevations transition to subalpine zones dominated by Kosatka Fir (Abies kosatkanus), Novasola Black Fir, and Umiak Pine (Pinus umiacus). Highest elevation areas rise above the tree line and are permanently snowcapped, but also support alpine meadow. Much of the island’s coastal lowlands are covered in wetlands and marshes of both freshwater and saltwater, peat soils, and forests of Kosatka Spruce and Novasola Larch. For more information on Kosatka Island, see this post.

  

7.   East Range

The East Range encompasses most of Novasola east of the prairie. It is dominated by the Morning Mountains, which is the driest mountain belt on Novasola, and thus has unique ecosystems, more heavily dominated by deciduous plants, shrubland, and dry conifers like pines and junipers, as well as conifer forests and alpine tundra. They reach about 11,100 feet at their tallest on Mount Cook. The East Range is divided into two subregions.

 

a.      Morning Highlands

The Morning Highlands ecoregion encompasses the upper elevation slopes of the Morning Mountains as well as the remaining portion of the northern coastline. It ranges in elevation from sea level in the north to 11,100 feet at Mount Cook, though excluding the northern portion generally begins at around 7,000 feet. The topography is mountainous and the soild rocky. This ecoregion is covered mostly by coniferous forest dominated by Coopers-fir, Novasola Blue Juniper (Juniperus plurocarpa), Novasola Larch, Island White Pine, Forster Pine, and Nuttall’s Fir. Common understory plants include maples, ceanothus, sumac, buckwheat, and alder. High elevations host fir and pine krummholz and alpine meadows and tundra dominated by forbs, wildflowers, grasses, mosses, and lichen. Moderate amounts of precipitation fall mostly as rain but will fall as snow at high elevations, and some alpine areas are permanently snow-capped. One glacier remains in the region on Mount Cook, the only glacier remaining east of the Paramounts.

 

b.     Eastern Mixed Forest

The Eastern Mixed Forest ecoregion includes most of the Morning Mountain mid- to low-elevation slopes down to the coast, including most of the east coast. The topography is rugged and filled with steep canyons. The climate here consists of warm and dry summers with frequent droughts and cold, wet winters with moderate precipitation, overall similar to the climate of the Klamath Mountains in Oregon. The region is primarily forested and hosts a diverse array of tree species in mixed conifer-broadleaf forests, including Coopers-fir, Novasola Madrone, Pacific Red Oak (Quercus boneti), Red Mountain Maple (Acer corprus), Hornnut Oak, and Bonet’s Pine (Pinus boneti). This region hosts a higher diversity of deciduous trees than any other on Novasola. Understories are dominated by maples, oaks, rhododendron, manzanita, vaccinium, and rubus. Riparian areas host alder, birch, and willow. Wetlands are common but less so now after widespread beaver extirpations.

Museum of Novasola