Valles Caldera National Preserve Forest, Grassland, Riparian, and Shrubland Vegetation. Existing Condition Report.

摘要

The vegetation of the VCNP follows elevational banding and is influenced by soils, climate, and topography. The predominate vegetation types are forests and grasslands with smaller components of woodland and riparian shrubs and rocky outcrops. Compared to other high elevation sites in the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau, the vegetative communities of the preserve are quite diverse and harbor many plant communities that are unique to the landscape of the Valles Caldera (Valles Caldera Trust, No Date). The New Mexico Natural Heritage Program has documented 65 plant associations within the Preserve encompassing high elevation sub-alpine forests, mixed conifer and pine woodlands, high montane grasslands, and valley floor wetlands. Table 1 lists the dominant cover types found and Figure 1 displays their distribution.