Niwot Ridge NEON - United States of America

Niwot Ridge Mountain Research Station is a core terrestrial site within NEON's Domain 13: Southern Rockies and Colorado Plateau. The Niwot Ridge sits approximately 27 km west of Boulder, Colorado, and 6 km east of the Continental Divide. Topography, climate, and biota of the site are representative of Rocky Mountain alpine ecosystems, including extensive alpine tundra (mostly herbs, some shrubs and scree) and subalpine coniferous forests (Abies lasciocarpa and Picea engelmanii at higher elevations), talus slopes, wetlands and a variety of glacial landforms. Niwot Ridge is the highest field site in the gradient, at 3,500 m (11,500 feet). The sampling plots at the upper elevations of the site are in alpine meadow and tundra. A bit ...