{"id":90,"date":"2018-05-04T16:32:39","date_gmt":"2018-05-04T16:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnhp.colostate.edu\/cwic\/?page_id=90"},"modified":"2022-09-23T16:05:10","modified_gmt":"2022-09-23T16:05:10","slug":"ecological-systems","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cnhp.colostate.edu\/cwic\/wetlandtypes\/ecological-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecological Systems of Colorado"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

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Wetland Ecological Systems of Colorado<\/h1>\n\t

Ecological systems<\/strong><\/a> represent recurring groups of biological communities that are found in similar physical environments and are influenced by similar dynamic ecological processes, such as fire or flooding. They are intended to provide a classification unit that is readily mapable, often from remote imagery, and readily identifiable by conservation and resource managers in the field. Ecological systems include both native, natural vegetation and non-native, human influenced vegetation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Fens\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFens form floating mats on ths edges of small lakes or ponds. Joanna Lemly, CNHP.\n\t\t\t\t\"Great\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGreat Plains playa in the Arkansas Basin. Joanna Lemly, CNHP.\n\t\t\t\t\"Wetland\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWetland complex containing beaver ponds and fens, San Juan Mountains, CO. Joanna Lemly, CNHP.\n\t

As a mid-scale classification system, ecological systems are ideal for conservation assessment, inventory and mapping, land management, ecological monitoring, and species habitat modeling. Wetland condition assessment methods developed by CNHP are based on the ecological systems classification, with metrics specific to certain systems.<\/p>\n

Most of Colorado’s wetlands and riparian areas fit within fifteen\u00a0ecological systems. Detailed descriptions of the types can be found below along with a key<\/b><\/a>\u00a0to differentiate between types.<\/p>\n\t<\/a>\n