Saguaro Census: 2009 Demography Data and Change Analysis (1979-2009) for Plot 75J
Rivera E, Pavliscak L, McDonald M, Vukomanovic J, Amesbury S, Niane I, Drumlevitch F, Earnhart J. 2009. Saguaro Census: 2009 Demography Data and Change Analysis (1979-2009) for Plot 75J. National Park Service
Introduces three primary types of general demographic study: population modeling and viability analysis, single age/stage class investigation, and demographic structure. This study investigates the stand age (as a function of height) structure of a small population of saguaros. The resulting data provides information about the life history of the species, as well as historic environmental influences. In this species, age has been shown to correlate with height. Description of saguaro recruitment, growth, nurse trees, threats to successful viability. Like-aged cohorts may be missing if years of challenging environmental conditions occurred. A research plot in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park, demarcated in 1975, was resurveyed in 2009. The resurvey team was comprised of seven students from the University of Arizona and two park service personnel. The study involved observing and documenting every saguaro within the plot. Cartographic files were created. A pattern of decreasing growth with increasing size emerged when comparing data over the years.
- Type
- Resource Guide
- Authors
- Rivera, Estee; Pavliscak, Laura; McDonald, Maureen; Vukomanovic, Jelena; Amesbury, Steve; Niane, Ibrahima; Drumlevitch, Fred; Earnhart, Jeremy
- Date of Issue
- 2009-12-18
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- SAGU
- Keywords
- carnegia gigantea, census, demography, GIS, measurement, population dynamics, recruitment, resurvey, saguaro
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Desert Communities , NPS.gov Subject Site: Compass & GPS Activities , NPS.gov Subject Site: Deserts , NPS.gov Subject Site: GIS, Cartography & Mapping , NPS.gov Subject Site: Iconic Trees , NPS.gov Subject Site: Park Science , NPS.gov Subject Site: Science , NPS.gov Subject Site: Science of the American Southwest