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Sonoran Desert
(WWF
ecoregion NA1310)
Giant saguaros (Carnegia
gigantea)
at Gate's Pass, Tucson Mt. Park, Tucson, Arizona (c) 2001
Maurice J. Kaufmann
Source of bioregions data:
Olson, D. M. and
E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF
file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.
Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 1
(globally outstanding)
41% of U.S. terrestrial bird species can be found here. 58 species of
reptiles are found in the U.S. portion of this desert as well as diverse species
of cacti.*
Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most
intact): 4 (relatively stable)
40% of habitat is unaltered. Riparian habitats are severely degraded.
Development and overgrazing are threats.*
Some views from the ecoregion
Agave sp. south of Superior, AZ (c) 2004
Maurice J. Kaufmann
hires
Saguaro National Park and vicinity of Tucscon, AZ
Carnegia gigantea
(saguaro) and
Fouquieria splendens
(ocotillo) near Tucson (c)
2004 Maurice J. Kaufmann
hires
Carnegia gigantea
(saguaros) on slope, Saguaro National Park (c) 2004
Maurice J. Kaufmann
hires and
in the vicinity of Tucson
hires
Ferocactus wislizeni
(fishhook or Arizona barrel cactus),
Opuntia bigelovii
(teddy bear cholla),
Encelia farinosa (brittlebush, yellow), Jatropha cuneata
(limber bush, green on rt.) (c) 2004
Maurice J. Kaufmann
hires
Wasson Pk. Trail.
Encelia farinosa (brittlebush, yellow),
Fouquieria splendens
(ocotillo),
Parkinsonia microphylla
(yellow paloverde) (c) 2004
Maurice J. Kaufmann
hires
cacti, Saguaro Ntl. Park
hires
a wash, Saguaro Ntl. Park
hires
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, southwestern AZ
cholla cacti and spring wildflowers (c) 2001
Maurice J. Kaufmann
hires
Carnegia gigantea
(saguaro),
Stenocereus thurberi
(organ pipe cactus), Penstemon sp. (pink),
Encelia farinosa (brittlebush, yellow),
Simmondsia chinensis
(jojoba, dense dark green),
Larrea tridentata
Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta (owl clover, pink),
Lupinus sp. (lupine, blue) (c) 2004
Maurice J. Kaufmann
hires
(l-r)
Opuntia fulgida
(jumping or chain fruit cholla),
Fouquieria splendens
(ocotillo), Parkinsonia sp. (paloverde), and young
Carnegia gigantea
(saguaro) (c) 2004
Maurice J. Kaufmann
hires
Stenocereus thurberi
(organ pipe cactus),
Larrea tridentata
Eschscholzia californica (California poppies) in spring, southwestern Arizona (c) 2001
Maurice J. Kaufmann
hires
* Ricketts, T.H., E. Dinerstein, D.M. Olson, C.J. Loucks, et al. (1999) Terrestrial Ecoregions of North America: A Conservation Assessment. World Wildlife Fund - United States and Canada. Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 337-340.
Except as noted, images copyright 2002-2004 Steve Baskauf - Terms of use