Ecoregion Report
The State of the Southern Rockies Ecoregion report provides a preliminary
examination of the ecological health of the Southern Rockies. The report
analyzes whether human uses of land and water resources have resulted in
significant ecological changes or biological impoverishment. Specifically,
it examines:
1) what types of ecosystems have been impacted by human land-use;
2) what current land use trends place ecosystems and native species at risk;
what trends are beneficial to ecosystem health;
3) what types of ecosystems are well represented in the existing system of
nature reserves and parks and what types are under-represented; and
4) where unprotected natural landscapes remain and what types of ecosystems
they include.
The report addresses these issues by examining land use history, social and
economic settings, native biodiversity status, terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystem conditions, and protected lands and roadless areas in the
ecoregion. It also encourages a long-term, landscape-scale framework within
which to promote further conservation planning and ecosystem management
efforts in the Southern Rockies.
Two major ecological themes drive the assessment strategies used in The
State of the Southern Rockies Ecoregion report: ensuring ecosystem health
and maintaining native biodiversity.
The State of the Southern Rockies Ecoregion report is a comprehensive
ecological assessment of the Southern Rockies, including:
• Land Use History and Social and Economic Settings
• Biodiversity Assessment
• Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems Assessment
• Protected Areas Assessment
• Conservation and Management Recommendations
Download Executive Summary - (7.3 megs) |
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Executive Summary -
The State of the Southern Rockies Ecoregion report provides
a first-ever ecological assessment of the Southern Rockies.
The executive summary highlights key findings from the report.
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Download Table of Contents - (2.6 megs) |
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Table of Contents -
A complete listing of the contents of the State of the Southern Rockies Ecoregion report.
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Download Chapter 1 - (5.9 megs) |
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Introduction -
Need For This Report; Ecoregion Assessment, Fragmented vs. Natural Landscapes.
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Download Chapter 2 - (7.8 megs) |
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Land Use History and Social and Economic Settings -
Human Settlement and Land Use; Land Ownership and Political Landscapes;
Social and Economic Trends; Benefits of Healthy Ecosystems.
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Download Chapter 3 - (6.3 megs) |
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Biodiversity Assessment -
Diversity of Plants, Animals, and Natural Communities;
Conservation Status of Native Species; Case Studies.
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Download Chapter 4A - (10 megs) |
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Terrestrial Ecosystems Assessment - Part A -
The Natural Landscape; Major Causes of Terrestrial Ecosystem Decline;
Positive Trends; Summary of Critical Findings.
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Download Chapter 4B - (8.9 megs) |
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Terrestrial Ecosystems Assessment - Part B -
The Natural Landscape; Major Causes of Terrestrial Ecosystem Decline;
Positive Trends; Summary of Critical Findings.
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Download Chapter 5A - (10.7 megs) |
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Aquatic and Riparian Ecosystem Assessment - Part A -
Aquatic and Riparian Ecosystems in the Southern Rockies; Major Causes of
Aquatic and Riparian Ecosystem Declines; Positive Trends; Summary of
Critical Findings.
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Download Chapter 5B - (6 megs) |
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Aquatic and Riparian Ecosystem Assessment - Part B -
Aquatic and Riparian Ecosystems in the Southern Rockies; Major Causes of
Aquatic and Riparian Ecosystem Declines; Positive Trends; Summary of
Critical Findings.
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Download Chapter 6 - (12 megs) |
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Protected Areas Assessment -
Status of Ecosystem Protection; Roadless Areas; Summary of Critical Findings.
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Download Chapter 7 - (6 megs) |
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Conservation and Management Recommendations -
Conservation Options; Ecosystem Management Strategies; Other Strategies.
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Download Appendices - (6.8 megs) |
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Appendices -
Rare and Imperiled Species of the Southern Rockies; Major Terrestrial
Ecosystem Types of the Southern Rockies; Major Aquatic and Riparian
Ecosystem Types of the Southern Rockies; Geographic Information System
(GIS) Methods and Primary Data Sources.
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