Southwest landscapes are dominated by sandstone, juniper and sagebrush. The makeup of sandstone relates directly to the sand-sized particles that accumulate and build into large areas of rock. After shale, sandstone is the most abundant sedimentary rock.
The amazing juniper grows in some of these most inhospitable environments, as well as some of the most scenic landscapes. The Utah juniper faces harsh desert heat, frigid temperatures and strong winds. The juniper survives drought conditions using its massive root system to find moisture. The root system makes up 70% of the tree. The tree also uses a tap root that can extend 25 feet. In extreme conditions the tree can prune itself, conserving water for the remainder of the tree. The gnarled juniper is the most prevalent plant on the Colorado Plateau, adding one of the few colorful element to the landscape.
Sagebrush is generally prevalent in this desert type ecosystem. The big sagebrush has aromatic wedge-shaped leaves, covered with silvery, silky hairs. The plant retains some of its leaves through winter. Sagebrush is just one of the many varieties of plants associated with wildlife habitat restoration across Utah.