Plants of Navajo National Monument

Authors

J. D. Brotherson, Brigham Young University
G. Nebeker, Arizona State University, Tempe
M. Skougard, United States Department of Agriculture, Houston, Texas
J. Fairchild, Brigham Young University

Abstract

The floristic composition of Navajo National Monument is presented. The flora of the monument consists of 293 species of vascular plants, representing 177 genera and 66 families. The species are scattered throughout 12 plant communities found within the monument. The flora is dominated by forbs (60 percent), followed by shrubs (16 percent), grasses (12 percent) and trees (5 percent). Betatakin canyon exhibits the greatest floristic richness with 223 species being represented and 123 species found only in that area. This is due primarily to two factors: (1) the greater variety of habitats available in the area, and (2) the much longer time the area has been protected from grazing and other manmade disturbance.

Recommended Citation

Brotherson, J. D.; Nebeker, G.; Skougard, M.; and Fairchild, J. (1978) "Plants of Navajo National Monument," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 38: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol38/iss1/2