The term derives from the Greek mesos, meaning middle, indicating its relative moisture content between hydric (moist) and xeric (dry) habitats.
A variety of outside factors contribute to the presence of water in the system, including streams and their offshoots, wet meadows, springs, seeps, irrigated fields, and high-elevation habitats.
Healthy mesic habitats can store large amounts of water given the typical rich loamy soil composition[3] and streams, springs, etc.
[5] These habitats play an important role in the distribution abundance of sage grouse, influencing where they choose their breeding grounds, or leks.
The SGI Interactive Web App provides users with local conservation efforts across the entire range of sage grouse.