Colorado Life Zones

1.

2.3.

4.6.

5.Prairie Alpine

Foothills

Subalpine

Montane

Riparian

Foothills5,500 – 8,000 ft.

Plains 3,500 – 5,500 ft.

Montane8,000 – 10,000 ft.

Sub alpine10,000 – 11,500 ft.

Riparian

Alpine 11,500 +ft.

Colorado Life Zones

Influences on the Life Zones• Elevation• Climate • Soils (Dirt)• Threats

•Animals •Plants •Food Web

Riparian Life Zone

Foothills5,500 – 8,000 ft.

Plains3,500 – 5,500 ft.

Montane8,000 – 10,000 ft.

Subalpine10,000 – 11,500 ft.

Riparian

Alpine 11,500 +ft.

Riparian Life Zone

What Is It Like In The Riparian?

Climate

Temperature

Geography

Soils

Usually cooler than the surrounding landscape.

Similar to the surrounding landscape.

Located around running waters, usually in low areas on the landscape.

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.

What kinds of plants grow in the Riparian?

?

Cattails Sedges

Cottonwood

Alder

Willow

What kinds of animals live in the

Riparian?

?

Moose

River otter

Blue heron

Dragonfly

Wood frog

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.

Beaver – the “ecosystem engineer”

Riparian Food Web

Bats

Insects

Dead Leaves

river otter

Insects

lizards

fish

aquaticinsects