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5. 1. Alpine. Prairie. Colorado Life Zones. 2. Foothills. 3. Montane. 4. Subalpine. 6. Riparian. Colorado Life Zones. Alpine 11,500 +ft. Sub alpine 10,000 – 11,500 ft. Montane 8,000 – 10,000 ft. Foothills 5,500 – 8,000 ft. Riparian. Plains 3,500 – 5,500 ft.
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5. 1. Alpine Prairie Colorado Life Zones 2. Foothills 3. Montane 4. Subalpine 6. Riparian
Colorado Life Zones Alpine 11,500 +ft. Sub alpine 10,000 – 11,500 ft. Montane 8,000 – 10,000 ft. Foothills 5,500 – 8,000 ft. Riparian Plains 3,500 – 5,500 ft.
Influences on the Life Zones • Elevation • Climate • Soils (Dirt) • Threats • Animals • Plants • Food Web
Riparian Life Zone Alpine 11,500 +ft. Subalpine 10,000 – 11,500 ft. Montane 8,000 – 10,000 ft. Foothills 5,500 – 8,000 ft. Riparian Plains 3,500 – 5,500 ft.
What Is It Like In The Riparian? Similar to the surrounding landscape. Climate Temperature Usually cooler than the surrounding landscape. Geography Located around running waters, usually in low areas on the landscape. Soils Mostly composed of sand and gravel that is created by tumbling rocks in the water. Near the banks, the soil is usually wet and will support plants that like wet soils.
Cattails Sedges
Cottonwood Alder Willow
Beaver – the “ecosystem engineer” It lives in lodges in streams and ponds with its mate for life and 3-4 kits. It is the largest rodent in North America. It can use its big tail as a rudder while swimming. It has really long, dark orange front teeth that help gnaw down trees. When Europeans first settled they killed beavers for their fur.
Riparian Food Web Bats Insects lizards river otter Insects fish Dead Leaves aquatic insects