Verterbrate diversity in northwestern Chihuahua, Mexico (Diversidad de vertebrados del noroeste de Chihuahua, Mexico)

Abstract

Biodiversity loss is one of the most severe global environmental problems. Among other factors, it is fostered by the destruction and fragmentation of natural ecosystems. The Chihuahuan prairies merit no exception; a great number of its associated species are endangered by habitat fragmentation or deterioration. The prairie dog (Cynomys spp) illustrates this situation. Prairie dogs are rodents that form extensive colonies in northwest Mexico. Historically this species occupied extensive grassland areas. However, its current geographic distribution is only 2 percent of its original range. Prairie dogs are keystone species for the North American prairies and their presence induces habitat diversity, which increases regional environmental heterogeneity and promotes the establishment of a greater number of animal and plant species in the surroundings.

Parent Publication

• Grasslands ecosystems, endangered species, and sustainable ranching in the Mexico-U.S. borderlands: Conference proceedings

Citation

Pacheco, Jesus; Ceballos, Gerardo; Santos, Georgina; List, Rurik; Manzano, Patricia; Cruzado, Juan. 2006. Verterbrate diversity in northwestern Chihuahua, Mexico (Diversidad de vertebrados del noroeste de Chihuahua, Mexico). In: Basurto, Xavier; Hadley, Diana, eds. Grasslands ecosystems, endangered species, and sustainable ranching in the Mexico-U.S. borderlands: Conference proceedings. RMRS-P-40. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 31-32