The United States presents a vast mosaic of natural landscapes, a testament to its size and geological variety. From coast to coast, the nation encompasses environments ranging from towering mountains and sun-scorched deserts to ancient forests and open grasslands. This ecological richness provides the foundation for a stunning array of flora and fauna, making the U.S. a significant area for global biodiversity. The accessibility of these wild places allows for a direct connection with the forces that have shaped the continent.
Diverse American Ecosystems
Majestic Mountains
The mountain ranges of the United States are varied, defining the character of entire regions. In the west, the Rocky Mountains stretch over 3,000 miles, forming a rugged barrier of high-elevation peaks and alpine tundra. Further west, the Sierra Nevada in California presents dramatic granite cliffs, while the Cascades of the Pacific Northwest are known for their volcanic peaks. In the east, the Appalachian Mountains are far older, characterized by rolling, forested hills that extend from Alabama to Newfoundland.
Arid Deserts and Badlands
The American Southwest is home to several major deserts, each with a unique identity. The Mojave Desert of California and Nevada is the driest and hottest in North America, known for its Joshua trees and stark landscapes like Death Valley. To the south, the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and California receives more rainfall, supporting a greater variety of life, including the saguaro cactus. The Chihuahuan Desert, extending from Mexico into Texas and New Mexico, is a high-elevation desert rich in succulent species.
Expansive Forests and Wetlands
Forest ecosystems across the nation are diverse, from the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest to the deciduous forests of the East. The Pacific region is home to coniferous forests with towering trees, kept lush by oceanic moisture. In the eastern U.S., the landscape is dominated by temperate deciduous forests, where trees like oak and maple display vibrant seasonal changes. The Southeast features unique wetland ecosystems, such as the cypress swamps, where towering trees rise from still, dark waters.
Vast Grasslands and Prairies
Historically, the heart of the continent was covered by the Great Plains, a vast expanse of prairie that stretched from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River. This ecosystem is defined by grasses, with tallgrass prairie in the wetter eastern regions and shortgrass prairie in the arid west. The deep, rich soils of the prairie were built over thousands of years, creating some of the most fertile land in the world. Although much of the original prairie has been converted to agriculture, remnants still showcase a diversity of grasses and wildflowers that once supported massive herds of grazing animals.
Dynamic Coastlines
With coastlines on three major oceans—the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico—the U.S. features a wide array of coastal environments. The Atlantic coast varies from the rocky shores of New England to the sandy barrier islands of the mid-Atlantic and Southeast. The Gulf Coast is characterized by extensive marshes, deltas, and sandy beaches. In contrast, the Pacific coast is largely defined by rocky cliffs, sea stacks, and dramatic headlands, shaped by more active tectonic forces.
Iconic Natural Landmarks and Parks
Yellowstone National Park, primarily in Wyoming, is a landscape shaped by volcanic forces. It sits atop a large active supervolcano, which has created over 10,000 geothermal features like geysers, hot springs, and mudpots. The park’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful, erupts with predictability. Beyond its geothermal wonders, Yellowstone is a vast mountain sanctuary for wildlife within its forests and grasslands.
The Grand Canyon in Arizona stands as a testament to the power of geological erosion. Carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, the canyon is a chasm reaching depths of over a mile and stretching for 277 river miles. Its layered bands of colorful rock reveal a cross-section of Earth’s history, with some exposed rocks dating back nearly two billion years. The canyon hosts a surprising diversity of life adapted to its steep, desert environment.
In southern Florida, the Everglades is a vast, slow-moving river of grass. This subtropical wetland is a mosaic of sawgrass marshes, cypress domes, mangrove forests, and hardwood hammocks. The ecosystem is defined by the seasonal flow of fresh water moving southward from Lake Okeechobee to the Florida Bay. It is a habitat for wading birds, the American alligator, and the elusive Florida panther.
Along the coast of northern California, Redwood National and State Parks protect some of the most majestic forests on Earth. These parks are home to the coast redwood, the world’s tallest living tree, with some individuals soaring over 370 feet. Many of these ancient giants are over a thousand years old. The parks preserve a prime example of a coastal temperate rainforest, an ecosystem with high rainfall and a dense canopy that creates a shaded forest floor rich with ferns.
Signature American Wildlife
The American bison is a symbol of the Great Plains and the American West. These massive herbivores, the largest land mammals in North America, once roamed in herds of millions, and their grazing was integral to the prairie ecosystem’s health. Hunted to near extinction in the 19th century, the bison has made a remarkable recovery through conservation efforts. Today, managed herds can be seen in national parks and preserves.
The bald eagle is the national emblem of the United States. This bird of prey is recognizable by its white head and tail, which contrast with its dark brown body. Once pushed to the brink of extinction by habitat loss and the pesticide DDT, the bald eagle is a major conservation success. Following its protection under the Endangered Species Act, its population has rebounded significantly across the country.
The grizzly bear is an apex predator of the American West’s mountainous wilderness. Larger than its black bear cousin, the grizzly is identified by a prominent shoulder hump and long claws. These bears require vast, undisturbed territories to roam and forage for their varied diet. The grizzly’s presence indicates a healthy ecosystem, and its survival depends on the protection of large, remote habitats.
The American alligator is a dominant species in southeastern wetlands. These large reptiles are ambush predators adapted to their aquatic environment with powerful jaws and armored bodies. As ecosystem engineers, alligators create “gator holes” that retain water during dry seasons, providing a refuge for other wildlife and making them a keystone species. Their recovery from overhunting is a notable conservation achievement.
Conservation and Public Lands
The protection and management of natural spaces in the United States are largely carried out through a system of public lands administered by federal agencies. The National Park Service (NPS) is perhaps the most well-known of these. The NPS operates under a dual mandate: to preserve the natural and cultural resources of the parks unimpaired for future generations and to provide for public enjoyment. This mission focuses on strict preservation, limiting activities that could harm the landscape or its native species.
A different approach to land management is taken by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which oversees the nation’s national forests and grasslands. The USFS operates under a “multiple-use” mandate, which means it manages the land for a variety of purposes. These uses include conservation, recreation, timber harvesting, livestock grazing, and watershed protection. This model seeks to balance the economic needs of communities with the long-term health of the forest ecosystems.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is another major federal agency, responsible for administering more public land than any other. Primarily concentrated in the western states, BLM lands also fall under a multiple-use and sustained-yield mandate. This involves managing a wide range of activities, from energy development and mining to recreation and the conservation of natural and cultural resources.