Slope is one of several ecological settings variables that collectively characterize the biophysical setting of each 30 m cell at a given point in time (McGarigal et al 2017). Slope gives the percent slope at each cell. High slopes indicate a propensity for gravityinduced physical disturbance (e.g., talus slopes), which can limit plant development. Slope ranges from 0% for flat areas to theoretically infinity for absolutely vertical cliffs, though the actual maximum occurring in our landscape is 440%.