The MAB Program United States of America
Biosphere Reserve Information - General Description
Rocky Mountain
General Description
Located on the Front Range of
the Rocky Mountains along the Continental Divide, 100 km north-west of Denver
(Colorado), this biosphere reserve and national park is managed for nature
conservation, environmental education and public recreation purposes. Three
vegetation zones are represented within the altitude range from 2,328 to 4,345
meters above sea level. The upper montane forest is characterized by ponderosa
pine (Pinus ponderosa) shrublands, meadows and grasslands; the subalpine forest
zone comprises mainly Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and fir (Abies
lasiocarpa); and the alpine tundra includes open stands of grasses, sedges and
dwarf flowering plants and willows.
Early meat and sport hunting drastically reduced large ungulate populations in
the area.
Wapiti (Cervus elaphus) was reintroduced in 1913-14 and have increased to a
winter herd of about 1,500. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is now common and
about 350 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) utilize the high-elevation ranges.
Some species, however, such as Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), pronghorn (Antilocapra
americana) and bison (Bison bison) never recovered.
Outside of developed areas and roadways, the impact of humans has been minimal.
Many exotic plant and sport fish species have been introduced in the area. There
are over 2.5 million visitors mostly using only the developed areas and about
36,000 camper days were recorded in the back-country in 1986.
In recent years, the Rocky Mountain Biosphere Reserve and National Park has made
important contributions to regional studies on atmospheric pollution, acidic
deposition and climate change.
Last updated: 06/27/2005