4.2.7 Vegetation

vegetation

Vegetation on Fort Carson varies dramatically with climate and landscape position. Vegetation patterns generally follow the physiographic regions and elevation.  The mountains and foothills region consists of mixed conifers including pinon pine, one-seed juniper, ponderosa pine, and deciduous vegetation including cottonwood, Gambel’s oak, and a variety of upland grasses and forbs.  Plains vegetation consists of short- and mid-height upland grasses with widely scattered ponderosa pine, pinion pine, and juniper.  Upland grasses include a variety of grama grasses, western wheatgrass, needle and thread, Indian rice grass, sand drop-see, and bluestem.  The terraces and floodplains associated with stream corridors are dominated by riparian vegetation including willow, alder, cottonwood, poplar, sedges and rushes, interspersed with upland grasses (URS 2005).

The main Cantonment Area and Butts Army Airfield (AAF) are located within the upper regions of the Prairie Grasslands Plant Zone.  The area is characterized by openness and generally treeless terrain dominated by plants belonging to the grass family as well as sedges and cattails.  Common natural vegetation found in the area of Fort Carson are blue grama, buffalo grass, yucca, salt brush, rabbit brush, and occasionally prickly pear cactus.  These low shrubs occur intermittently throughout the open areas in varying concentrations.  The landscape is occasionally punctuated with scattered groups of natural deciduous and evergreen trees.  The growing season averages 148 days with average last frost May 15, and average first frost October 10.  Season duration and frost dates can be extremely variable season to season and are dependent on elevation and exposure.  Most of Colorado Springs and Fort Carson are in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant-Hardiness Zone 5 (Zone 4 for higher elevations).

Installation forest resources are important because they provide hiding cover for tactical vehicles and other military units, and provide essential wildlife habitat.  Grassland system protection is equally important to sustain military training, protect the land surface from wind and water erosion, and to protect adjacent waters from degradation.  Appropriate maintenance of all vegetation is an environmental requirement of the Installation, and is a compliance requirement under the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.  

Regional Setting