Natural Resources

The Coronado National Forest consists of many different forest types including oak woodland, oak-pine forests, pine forests, and fir forests. 

Diverse non-forested habitats are also abundant, including desertscrub, desert grassland, riparian areas, mountain meadows, and high alpine grasslands. 

The different forest and habitat types provide numerous species of wildlife, extractable resources, and special places for people to enjoy the outdoors. 

The Coronado National Forest is a biological treasure trove, boasting a diverse array of life zones. As you ascend the mountain ranges, you'll encounter a fascinating tapestry of ecosystems:  

• Desertscrub: “Desertscrub” is a general term that includes several desert plant communities occurring usually at elevations below 3,500 feet. These are the areas of hot summers, mild winters, and low (9 inches or less) and irregular rainfall. Going without rain for a year or more is not unusual in deserts. The vegetation is a mixture of shrubs, succulents, herbs, and a few grasses..  
• Desert Grassland: Grasslands occur at elevations of 3,500-5,000 feet. They are composed of perennial bunch-grasses and annual grasses in mixed stands with scattered shrubs and succulents.
• Evergreen Oak Woodland: These woodlands occur at elevations of 4,500-6,000 feet. Encinal is a Spanish word that roughly means “place of live oaks”. The woodlands are dominated by broadleaved evergreen oaks with an open understory of shrubs and herbs.
• Oak-Pine Forest: These forests occur at elevations of 5,500-7,500 feet. They are composed almost entirely of species with southern origins.
• Pine Forest: These forests occur at elevations of 7,000-8,500 feet. They are the highest elevation Sky Island communities with true affinities to the Sierra Madre of Mexico.
• Fir Forest: These forests occur at elevations above 10,000 feet. The dominant plants come from the Rocky Mountains. 

This diverse ecosystem supports a rich variety of wildlife, from desert reptiles to alpine mammals. The Coronado National Forest is a testament to the power of nature and the importance of conservation.