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<br />Detailed information on population, <br />nesting habits and life cycle is lacking <br />inaccessibility of the nesting sites. <br /> <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife has been researching <br />and banding the resident peregrine falcons. Human <br />activity has been curtailed in the areas where <br />peregrine nesting sites have been located. <br /> <br />distribution, <br />because of the <br /> <br />No research has been done to compare species <br />characteristic of the river bottom with those of the <br />rim. Ecological zones have been defined by <br />expectation, based on data gathered at comparable <br />areas. Various species have been identified and <br />reported by both staff and visitors. <br /> <br />7. Flora <br /> <br />A number of ecological niches exist in Black Canyon <br />because of topographic variation, soil developments, <br />and exposure to sun and wind. The rims of the canyon <br />are dominated by scrub oak and pinyon/juniper forests <br />with patches of high desert sagebrush communities. Two <br />sizable pinyon/juniper groves exist; one on each rim at <br />about 8000 feet. There are many large, very old, <br />pinyons, but porcupine damage has made serious inroads <br />into this conununity. Some of the north-facing slopes <br />have Douglas fir and spruce/fir groves. The river <br />bottom has a number of deciduous trees and shrubs <br />characteristic of river strands in the region. Except <br />for damage to pinyons, assumed to be the result of <br />porcupine incursions, communities are stable, healthy <br />and show no signs of disease or insect plague. Limited <br />public access to a large portion of the monument has <br />kept human interference to a minimum. <br /> <br />8. Air and Water Quality <br /> <br />Water quality is high, supporting an excellent fishery. <br />Potable water is not available in the monument and <br />drinking water must be hauled in to visitor-use areas <br />from Montrose. Visitors must carry their drinking <br />water into the canyon or properly treat surface water, <br />which is known to contain giardia. There are no <br />implications that water quality is threatened in the <br />foreseeable future. <br /> <br />The vitality, significance and integrity of many <br />monument resources are dependent on good air quality. <br />Air pollution, even at concentration levels below the <br />National Ambient Air Quality Standards, can harm <br /> <br />10 <br />