GAP ANALYSIS OF THE VEGETATION OF THE INTERMOUNTAIN SEMIDESERT ECOREGION

A conservation gap analysis was conducted for the Intermountain Semi-D esert ecoregion to assess the representation of land-cover types withi n areas managed primarily for biodiversity objectives. Mapped distribu tions of plant communities were summarized by land-management status c ategories. The total amount of land permanently protected.ed in the ec oregion is <4%, and most types that are characteristic of the region h ave < 10%. Of 48 land-cover types, 20 were found to be particularly vu lnerable to potential loss or degradation because of low level of repr esentation in bio-diversity management areas and the impact of expecte d land-use activities. Gap analysis data and findings will be useful i n providing a regional perspective in project impact assessment and fu ture conservation planning within this ecoregion.