The area surrounding Durango, Colorado is made up of several distinct ecosystems. Altitudes from 5000 feet to 14,000 produce a variety of different terrains. The various areas have many distinguishing features such as the type of soil, the amount of percipitation and the temperature. Many of these ecosystems are named for the most prolific species contained therein such as "Spruce Forests", "Aspen Groves" or "Piņon/Juniper" land. In some places such as Wildcat Canyon, west of Durango, two disparate ecosystems collide. The west and north facing aspects in Wildcat Canyon are filled with Douglasfir, Mountainlover, Snowberry, and Mahonia while the South and East facing aspects contain Piņon, Juniper, and Cacti.

More mertensia