Over 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into southeastern Utah and enveloped the land. The water slowly evaporated, leaving behind a salt bed, which was covered with the residue of rains, winds and the fluctuating ocean water. Over time, the resulting debris cemented into a sedimentary rock called Sandstone. It wasn’t until the Colorado Plateau slowly lifted from the earth, 15 million years ago, that the buttes, plateaus and arches of today’s southeastern Utah began to emerge. Cutting through the layers of rock, a detailed geological history was revealed. Shaped by the elements, the land that we stand on today is a vestige to the ever-changing earth.
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Mesa
A mesa is a flat-topped mountain with at least one steep side. They are found in dry climates and regions with flat rock beds.
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Butte
A butte is the smaller sibling of the mesa. A flat-topped hill with steep sides, it is often found in front of mesas, having been carved away by the eroding rock.
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Plateau
A plateau is a large, flat region that is higher than the surrounding area. Many plateaus were originally plains and were created after water erosion forced the earth upward.
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Arches
Arches were formed after water seeped into the cracks and joints in the earth and washed away the loose debris that held the sandstone rock together. What was left was free standing arches framing the landscape.
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Despite the weather conditions of the desert, there is a multitude of vegetation in Utah. Plant life has adapted to the extreme temperatures enabling it to survive. These adaptations are grouped into three categories: drought escapers, drought resistors and drought evaders.
Drought escapers
Drought escapers are plants that make use of favorable growing conditions when they exist.
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Grass
There are two main types of desert grasses that grow in the area: bunch and sod forming. Bunch grasses are found in scattered clumps. By growing this way, the competition for the limited soil nutrients and water is reduced. Sod forming grasses are what most people have in their backyards. This grass can survive heavy grazing and is the primary feed for native area mammals.
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Wildflowers
Wildflowers have adapted to the dry Utah desert in many ways. The adaptations include thick coverings on leaves and stems to reduce water loss due to evaporation and small leaves, which reduce water loss while the plant transpires and receives less solar radiation. The best months to view wildflowers are April and May.
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Drought resistors
Drought resistors are typically perennials with small, spiny leaves that reduce the impact of solar radiation and may drop their leaves if water is unavailable.
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Cacti
A symbol of the American West, eleven species of cacti are found in the area. The cactus has pads or branches, which are covered in scales and spines instead of leaves like a traditional tree. Despite their prickly armor, cacti are not immune to predators. Many mammals, including bears and humans, enjoy the sweet red fruit of the prickly pear.
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Drought evaders
Drought evaders survive in areas where water is plentiful, or they adapt to maximize the available water. Due to the lack of water, trees and shrubs in the area grow few and far between, dispersing in order to survive. However, many desert plants' roots are strong enough to split rocks in search of nutrients deep within the earth.
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Pinyon Pines
Pinyon pines dominate the landscape of the dry, rocky terrain at elevations between 4,500 and 6,500 feet. The lower the region, the less populated it is with trees. Pinyon pines are identified by their crooked trunks, reddish bark and slow growth. Pinenuts, which are protein-rich seeds, come from these trees.
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Utah Juniper
The Utah Juniper is the classic desert tree. It is identified by its twisting dead branches. When water sources are limited, a juniper will stop the flow of liquid to its outer branches in order to increase it’s chances for survival.
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