Ecology Program

The mission of the Nevada Natural Heritage Program includes the coordination of resource needs of Nevada's diverse biological heritage with human activities. Since species do not live in isolation from each other or the landscape, this coordination naturally involves many ecological issues. The emphasis of ecology at the Nevada Natural Heritage Program is mapping and tracking vegetation types at risk in Nevada, and the factors contributing to risks. Plant communities can be used to assess the condition of ecosystems and the landscape. Plant communities also provide habitat for the thousands of native animals that call Nevada home. Through a better understanding of plant communities across the landscape, we can be better prepared to deal with issues of rare species as well as a variety of human issues that involve land use.