Vascular plant and vertebrate inventories in Sonoran Desert National Parks

Abstract

Biological inventories are important for natural resource management and interpretation, and can form a foundation for long-term monitoring programs. We inventoried vascular plants and vertebrates in nine National Parks in southern Arizona and western New Mexico from 2000 to 2004 using repeatable designs, commonly accepted methods, and standardized protocols. At Tumacácori National Historical Park alone, we recorded 378 species of plants and 213 species of vertebrates, including a total of 273 species that were previously undocumented in the park. Data collected in all nine parks will be used in developing monitoring plans for National Parks in the Madrean Archipelago, and for the Sonoran Desert ecoregional monitoring effort.

Parent Publication

• Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: Biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II

Citation

Schmidt, Cecilia A.; Albrecht, Eric W.; Powell, Brian F.; Halvorson, William L. 2005. Vascular plant and vertebrate inventories in Sonoran Desert National Parks. Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 547-549