Download (PDF 767 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/46125.pdf
Abstract
In northeastern Sonora, isolated Sky Island mountain ranges with desertscrub, desert grassland, oak woodland, and pine-oak forest have high biodiversity. El Aribabi Conservation Ranch in the Sierra Azul (from 30°51’13”N, 110°41’9”W to 30°46’38”N, 110°32’3”W) was designated a Private Protected Natural Area by the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas in March 2011. The flora contains 447 taxa in 81 families and 301 genera. The most diverse families are Asteraceae (63 taxa, 14.1%), Poaceae (41 taxa, 9.2%), Fabaceae (36 taxa, 8.1%), Euphorbiaceae (18 taxa, 4.1%), Cactaceae (13 taxa, 2.9%), Brassicaceae and Malvaceae (12 taxa, 2.7% each), Scrophulariaceae, Pteridaceae, and Solanaceae (10 taxa, 2.2% each). Amoreuxia palmatifida, Carnegiea gigantea, and Juglans major have Federal protection status in the Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-059-2010. The life forms of El Aribabi are herbs (69.1%, including grasses), woody plants (26.0%), and succulents (4.7%). Of 23 non-native taxa in the flora (5.1%), only Natalgrass/zacate rosado (Melinis repens) and watercress/berro (Nasturtium officinale) are potentially invasive.
Parent Publication
Keywords
Madrean Archipelago,
Sky Islands,
southwestern United States,
northern Mexico,
natural environment,
fauna,
flora,
research,
management,
biodiversity,
climate change
Citation
Sanchez-Escalante, J. Jesus; Avila-Jimenez, Denise Z.; Delgado-Zamora, David A.; Armenta-Cota, Liliana; Van Devender, Thomas R.; Reina-Guerrero, Ana Lilia. 2013. Vascular plants diversity of El Aribabi Conservation Ranch: A private natural protected area in northern Sonora, Mexico. In: Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Collins, Loa C., comps. Merging science and management in a rapidly changing world: Biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago III and 7th Conference on Research and Resource Management in the Southwestern Deserts; 2012 May 1-5; Tucson, AZ. Proceedings. RMRS-P-67. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. A8-A12.
