Editing Flagstaff, Arizona (section)

===Flora and fauna===
{{See also|The Arboretum at Flagstaff|Coconino National Forest}}

Flagstaff is an area "of great ecological variation" due to its diverse habitat life zones.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last=Stein|first=Walter T.|date=1964|title=Comparison and Analysis of Modern and Prehistoric Tree Species in the Flagstaff Area, Arizona|url=https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/259751|journal=Tree-Ring Bulletin|issn=0041-2198|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130115435/https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/259751|url-status=live}}</ref> Tree species abound the area, which covers three arboreal life zones: [[Douglas fir and aspen forest]], [[Yellow pine#Western United States|Ponderosa pine forest]], and [[Pinyon-juniper woodland]].<ref name=":3" /> It is at the heart of the Coconino National Forest. Within the Transition zone of the forest, including in the city, there are huge stands of ponderosa pine. Other species scattered among this region include [[Gambel oak]], [[quaking aspen]], and [[Rocky Mountain juniper]] trees.<ref name="Native Plants of Arizona">{{cite web|url=http://www2.for.nau.edu/azproject/main.html|title=Native Plants of Arizona|publisher=Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526061103/http://www2.for.nau.edu/azproject/main.html|archive-date=May 26, 2006|access-date=August 13, 2006}}</ref>

The Coconino National Forest and Flagstaff are within the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in North America.<ref name="pine" /> Here, this tree type is formed as a [[climax forest]], with groups of trees containing different ages spread among the forest. Some of the groups are only a few trees, some are acres large; other groups are even-aged. The irregularity of the tree groups leaves natural openings in the forest, allowing for other plants to thrive. A grass cover of [[Arizona fescue]] grows around the area and shrub exists, but there are few other tree species. As well as the Gambel oak, quaking aspen, and juniper trees, [[Pinyon pine|pinyons]] can be found among the pines. Some of the open forest space contains [[bunchgrass]], and local animal species that roam on this include [[elk]], [[mule deer]], [[Merriam's Turkey]], and [[Abert's squirrel]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Clary|first=Warren P.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dYxQku8TGocC|title=Range management and its ecological basis in the ponderosa pine type of Arizona: the status of our knowledge|date=1975|publisher=U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station|language=en|access-date=January 7, 2021|archive-date=July 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719014512/https://books.google.com/books?id=dYxQku8TGocC|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[The Arboretum at Flagstaff|arboretum in Flagstaff]] has an extensive regional collection of the [[Penstemon|Penstemon genus]] and hosts an annual Penstemon Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publicgardens.org/programs/plant-collections-network/collections-showcase/penstemon-colorado-plateau-arizona-species|title=Penstemon – Colorado Plateau, Arizona species {{!}} American Public Gardens Association|website=www.publicgardens.org|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=February 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219140205/https://www.publicgardens.org/programs/plant-collections-network/collections-showcase/penstemon-colorado-plateau-arizona-species|url-status=live}}</ref>

Coconino is also home to a variety of bird species, which is further diversified by species from desert climates south of the Mogollon Rim still mixing in the area. The nearby lakes also attract wildlife. Birds that live around or visit Flagstaff include the [[thick-billed kingbird]], only documented in the area since 2016, the [[red-faced warbler]], a [[Madrean Region|Madrean]] species, and waterfowl including the [[Eurasian wigeon]] and [[American wigeon]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wilder|first=Jason A.|date=2017|title=Checklist of the Birds of Coconino County|url=http://arizonabirds.org/sites/default/files/articles/arizona-birds-online-checklist-birds-coconino-county.pdf|journal=Journal of Arizona Field Ornithologists|access-date=April 10, 2020|archive-date=February 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218162751/http://arizonabirds.org/sites/default/files/articles/arizona-birds-online-checklist-birds-coconino-county.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>