Biology
Durango ecosystem exploration
Subalpine Forests
(9,000-11,400 ft)
Both Wolf Creek and Durango Mountain Ski Resort sit at the lower end of this type of ecosystem
Dominant plants for this region include the Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, quaking aspen, bristlecone pine, limber pine, lodgepole pine, Jacob's ladder, myrtle blueberry, and broom huckleberry
A few of the animals seen here are snowshoe ha
res, yellow-bellied marmots, weasels, shrews, golden-mantled ground squirrels, red-back voles, wolverines, lynx, and elk.
Pinon-Juniper Woodlands
(5,500-8,000 ft)
Much of the land directly surrounding the Southern end of Durango itself falls into this ecosystem in areas, which is usually found above the semidesert shrublands and below the montane shrublands.
Dominant plants found in this region include: pinyon pine, Utah juniper, red cedar, blue grama, Junegrass, Indian ricegrass, prickly pear, fescues, and bluegrass.
Some of the common animals found inhabiting these areas include big-eared bats, cottontails, rock squirrels, mice, skunks, gray foxes, mule deer and even mountain lions!
Semidesert Shrubland
( 4,000 - 8,000 ft)
primarily found at the lower elevations around the Durango region.
The most common plants in this ecosystem Greasewood, shadscale, four-winged saltbush, rabbitbrush, and balsamroot are also trade mark plants in this habitat
animals commonly found in these areas include rabbits, mice, lizards, rattlesnakes, and ground squirrels.
(9,000-11,400 ft)
Both Wolf Creek and Durango Mountain Ski Resort sit at the lower end of this type of ecosystem
Dominant plants for this region include the Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, quaking aspen, bristlecone pine, limber pine, lodgepole pine, Jacob's ladder, myrtle blueberry, and broom huckleberry
A few of the animals seen here are snowshoe ha
res, yellow-bellied marmots, weasels, shrews, golden-mantled ground squirrels, red-back voles, wolverines, lynx, and elk.
Pinon-Juniper Woodlands
(5,500-8,000 ft)
Much of the land directly surrounding the Southern end of Durango itself falls into this ecosystem in areas, which is usually found above the semidesert shrublands and below the montane shrublands.
Dominant plants found in this region include: pinyon pine, Utah juniper, red cedar, blue grama, Junegrass, Indian ricegrass, prickly pear, fescues, and bluegrass.
Some of the common animals found inhabiting these areas include big-eared bats, cottontails, rock squirrels, mice, skunks, gray foxes, mule deer and even mountain lions!
Semidesert Shrubland
( 4,000 - 8,000 ft)
primarily found at the lower elevations around the Durango region.
The most common plants in this ecosystem Greasewood, shadscale, four-winged saltbush, rabbitbrush, and balsamroot are also trade mark plants in this habitat
animals commonly found in these areas include rabbits, mice, lizards, rattlesnakes, and ground squirrels.