Air Force Academy

Ecosystem Overview

The Air Force Academy ecosystem supports 26 documented wildlife species across 24 taxonomic genera. Located in El Paso County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 6 frequently observed species and 5 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While El Paso County nearby has 74% more documented species, Air Force Academy offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #6 for species diversity among 15 El Paso County County natural areas, placing it in the 60th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#6 of 15 locations

60th percentile for diversity

vs. El Paso County

-74% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 26 total documented species.

Castilleja integra

Very Common2 obs.

Penstemon angustifolius

narrow beardtongue

Very Common2 obs.

Oxytropis lambertii

purple locoweed

Very Common2 obs.

Opheodrys vernalis

Smooth Green Snake

Very Common1 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Very Common1 obs.

Tradescantia occidentalis

western spiderwort

Common1 obs.

Maianthemum stellatum

Starry False Lily Of The Valley

Common1 obs.

Argemone polyanthemos

plains prickly-poppy

Common1 obs.

Eriogonum annuum

annual wild buckwheat

Common1 obs.

Geranium caespitosum

Common1 obs.

Oreocarya virgata

Common1 obs.

Caragana arborescens

Siberian Pea-Shrub

Occasional1 obs.

Penstemon albidus

red-line beardtongue

Occasional1 obs.

Penstemon virens

Occasional1 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Occasional1 obs.

Aphyllon fasciculatum

tufted broomrape

Occasional1 obs.

Packera thurberi

Occasional1 obs.

Mentzelia nuda

Rare1 obs.

Scutellaria brittonii

Britton's skullcap

Rare1 obs.

Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Air Force Academy. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-58%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in El Paso County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

El Paso County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-74% vs. current

Fountain

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-74% vs. current

Fort Carson

Importance: 0.36

1 species

+2500% vs. current

Colorado Springs

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-74% vs. current

Security-widefield

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-74% vs. current

Prospect Lake

Importance: 0.35

58 species

-55% vs. current

Big Johnson Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

19 species

+37% vs. current

South Rice's Pond

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+86% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within El Paso County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-58%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in El Paso County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

El Paso County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-74% vs. current

Fountain

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-74% vs. current

Fort Carson

Importance: 0.36

1 species

+2500% vs. current

Colorado Springs

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-74% vs. current

Security-widefield

Importance: 0.35

100 species

-74% vs. current

Prospect Lake

Importance: 0.35

58 species

-55% vs. current

Big Johnson Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

19 species

+37% vs. current

South Rice's Pond

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+86% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 15 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common6 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare5 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#6 of 15 locations

60th percentile for diversity

vs. El Paso County

-74% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 26 total documented species.

Castilleja integra

Very Common2 obs.

Penstemon angustifolius

narrow beardtongue

Very Common2 obs.

Oxytropis lambertii

purple locoweed

Very Common2 obs.

Opheodrys vernalis

Smooth Green Snake

Very Common1 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Very Common1 obs.

Tradescantia occidentalis

western spiderwort

Common1 obs.

Maianthemum stellatum

Starry False Lily Of The Valley

Common1 obs.

Argemone polyanthemos

plains prickly-poppy

Common1 obs.

Eriogonum annuum

annual wild buckwheat

Common1 obs.

Geranium caespitosum

Common1 obs.

Oreocarya virgata

Common1 obs.

Caragana arborescens

Siberian Pea-Shrub

Occasional1 obs.

Penstemon albidus

red-line beardtongue

Occasional1 obs.

Penstemon virens

Occasional1 obs.

Verbascum thapsus

Aaron'S-Rod

Occasional1 obs.

Aphyllon fasciculatum

tufted broomrape

Occasional1 obs.

Packera thurberi

Occasional1 obs.

Mentzelia nuda

Rare1 obs.

Scutellaria brittonii

Britton's skullcap

Rare1 obs.

Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 26 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.