Colorado Ecoregions: Point by Point
Your Name: _________________
Summary
Examine Colorado ecoregions,
landforms, and impacts on the
landscape
from
a
spatial
perspective using ArcGIS Online, a
Web-based
Geographic
Information
System
(GIS)
(www.arcgis.com).
Level and Disciplines
This activity is written for upper
Map of Colorado ecoregions and point data in ArcGIS Online.
secondary level but can be used
Examining this map is included in this activity.
at the lower secondary level and
at the university level, and can
even be modified for primary level. It can be used in formal or informal educational settings and in an
independent or whole-class format. It can be used in geography, environmental studies, biology, or
earth science courses.
Computer and Time Requirements
36 questions. Time estimated: 3 to 4 class periods of 50 minutes each. A one-class version of this
lesson may be run. Computer requirements: Web browser, Internet connection. Can be run in a
computer lab setting using equipment provided by the host institution or with students bringing their
own tablets/laptops/devices, or simply using 1 computer in front of the class with a projector.
Prerequisites
No previous experience with GIS is necessary but (1) the geographic perspective is important, and (2) a
background in the topic investigated would be helpful; at a minimum, a short discussion on the
processes and phenomenon studied; such as ““What is an ecoregion? What is a landform? What are
the ecoregions and landforms in Colorado and what makes them unique? What impact does elevation
and climate have on ecoregions? What impact do humans have on the land use in Colorado and how is
the landscape changing as a result?”
Data Description
Data layers used in this map include:
1.
2.
3.
State and county boundaries.
The 1 degree latitude-longitude grid.
Ecological subregions from the US Forest Service.
Examining Colorado Ecoregions Using ArcGIS Online - Page 1 of 6
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
4. Point data at intersections of whole-degree latitude and longitude, added by Joseph Kerski with
photographs taken at those locations.
5. Population change 2000-2010 from the US Census Bureau.
Introduction
Ecoregions and landforms are spatial topics: They occur in specific places for specific reasons, and most
of the reasons have to do with location. Therefore, GIS is the perfect tool to study and understand
ecoregions and landforms. Colorado has some fascinating ecoregions and landforms. They can be
studied on a scale from local to statewide.
ArcGIS Online Investigation
This investigation uses ArcGIS Online (www.arcgis.com/home), a platform for creating, saving, and
sharing geographic data. To access the map for this lesson, access a web browser and go to ArcGIS
Online (www.arcgis.com/home). Using the search function, search for “Colorado point by point
owner:jjkerski” map and open the map that appears in the search results window.
Alternatively, go to the map directly, on: http://bit.ly/P2sNAO
The map will open with the ecological subregions, 1 degree grid, state and county boundaries
(zoomed to Colorado), and pushpins indicating intersections of whole-degree latitude and
longitude lines.
Investigating Ecoregions
Click inside Colorado at any location. You will see a succession of pop-up boxes indicating the features
where you have clicked. Be sure to use the right arrow in the popup boxes to see all of the areas that
cover the point on which you clicked.
1) Which are larger—the ecological sections or the ecological divisions?
2) How many ecological divisions exist within Colorado? Include the ones that extend into other states.
3) Name the ecological divisions partly or wholly in Colorado and describe where they are located.
4) Which is the largest ecological division in Colorado?
5) How many ecological sections exist within Colorado? Include the ones that extend into other states.
6) Name the ecological sections partly or wholly in Colorado and describe where they are located.
7) Which is the largest ecological section in Colorado?
Examining Colorado Ecoregions Using ArcGIS Online - Page 2 of 6
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
Considering Cities and Rivers
Toggle the ecological map layers on and off or make the ecological layers transparent by using the right
arrow next to the layer name to answer the following questions. You need to be able to see the
underlying topographic map to answer the following questions.
8) Name the ecological division and ecological section that each of the following cities is located in.
City
Ecological Division
Ecological Section______________________
Denver
Pueblo
Grand Junction
9) Consider the ecological divisions and sections in Colorado that you have been examining. What
natural resource challenges do large populations in these areas bring?
10) Describe the following in terms of the major rivers in Colorado:
River
Ecological Section
where river
begins
Direction of flow
of the river
(north, northwest,
east, etc.)
Ecological
Sections that the
river crosses in
Colorado
Colorado River
Rio Grande
Yampa River
Arkansas River
North Platte River
11) Do these major rivers flow into Colorado or out of Colorado? Why?
Examining Colorado Ecoregions Using ArcGIS Online - Page 3 of 6
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
3 major towns or
cities along river
12) What is the predominant source of water for these rivers?
13) What could be the potential impact of reduced snowfall in the future on these rivers, and the
downstream communities that depend on these rivers?
Investigating Mountains
14) Describe, using the topographic map, where the major mountain ranges in Colorado are.
15) What are the names of the ecological sections where these mountains exist?
16) What effect does altitude (elevation) have on climate and vegetation, and therefore on ecoregions?
Investigating Human-Environment Interaction
Examine the pattern of settlement as indicated by the highways and cities in Colorado.
17) In which 3 ecological subregions would you say that most people in Colorado live? Why?
18) Each ecoregion supports a variety of natural resources. Name 3 natural resources that ecoregions
support.
19) Name 3 ways in which people are affected by the ecoregion in which they live.
20) Name 3 ways in which people influence the ecoregion in which they live.
Thus, People have an influence on the resources that an ecoregion can support.
Use the Add tool and “Search for Layers” – search ArcGIS Online for the “USA Population Change 20002010” layer. Add this layer and examine the resulting patterns. Click on the counties to see the amount
of change.
21) Describe the pattern of population change in Colorado by county from 2000 to 2010.
22) Which 3 ecological sections would you say is under heaviest pressure in terms of population
increase?
Investigating Ecoregions by Ground Photographs
Turn off the population layer. Let’s examine what these ecoregions look like.
23) List the latitude lines that form the southern and the northern boundaries of Colorado.
Examining Colorado Ecoregions Using ArcGIS Online - Page 4 of 6
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
24) List the longitude lines that form the eastern and western boundaries of Colorado.
Click on the following pushpins and examine the photographs taken at each location.
39 North 109 West.
39 North 102 West.
25) Compare and contrast the 2 photographs, including the landforms, the vegetation, and the land use.
Indicate which ecological subregion that each point where the photograph was taken falls in.
26) Zoom into these 2 points, turn off the ecological subregions, and change the basemap to Imagery or
Bing Maps Aerial.
27) Zoom out and select two different ecological sections in Colorado. Using imagery, describe the
main ways land is used (grazing, cities, cropland, military bases, etc) in that ecological section.
Zoom back out to the state level by using Bookmarks: Colorado.
28) Name 3 different landforms that are evident from the photographs and indicate where each one is
located.
29) Can you find any photographs that look like they were taken in the winter? If so, which ones?
30) Examine the photograph at 40 North 105 West. What in this photograph gives you a clue that this
area is undergoing rapid change? Zoom in and examine the map underneath the point. Why is this area
changing so rapidly?
31) Examine the point at 40 North 103 West. What is the large structure shown here, and what is it
used for? How is the structure related to the resources in this ecoregion?
32) Examine the points from east to west across Colorado along 40 North Latitude, from 102 West
Longitude to 109 West Longitude. Describe how the landforms, vegetation, and land use change from
east to west.
Your Personal Reflections
33) Which of the photographs and corresponding locations is most appealing to you in terms of a place
you would like to live, and why?
Synthesis
34) Name three things you have learned about ecoregions and landforms of Colorado through any of
the above investigations.
Examining Colorado Ecoregions Using ArcGIS Online - Page 5 of 6
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com
35) Name three things you have learned about GIS through these investigations.
36) How has the spatial perspective about ecoregions of Colorado influenced your understanding of
them?
If time permits, use the presentation mode in ArcGIS Explorer Online to create a presentation of your
own choosing where you explain what you have learned about ecoregions, landforms, and land use.
Give your presentation to your peers, save it, and share it with others.
Additional Explorations
You have explored ecoregions and landforms of Colorado from a spatial perspective, but much more
could be done. Write your own question about ecoregions and landforms of Colorado, investigate it,
and answer it!
Extend your investigation to other states with the same data sets you have been examining. Note that
the USFS bioregions extend to the extent of the USA.
Investigate biomes and ecoregions of the world. Add the WWF or Bailey’s Ecoregion data layer to your
map and investigate these phenomena at a global scale.
The points were gathered as part of the Degree Confluence Project. Explore other ways you can teach
with this project on: http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/outreach/confluences.html

Examining Colorado Ecoregions Using ArcGIS Online - Page 6 of 6
Author: Joseph J. Kerski – jkerski@esri.com
Copyright © 2012, Esri. http://edcommunity.esri.com