Ecological investigation of natural community status at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Steenbergh WF and Warren PL. 1977. Ecological investigation of natural community status at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Technical Report No. 3. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Arizona, National Park Service. Tucson, AZ
In the mid-1970's, research was done in four major biotic communities (Growler Valley, Aguajita Springs, Ajo Mountains, Senita Basin) at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. In studying the natural desert communities, the researchers investigated effects of over fifty years of intense livestock grazing; rodent species diversity and abundance; plant community structure, composition, and stratification; soil texture, type, and structure; moisture, and precipitation. Preexisting livestock exclosures provided some comparisons, and aerial and ground photography were used to gather data. Results show the devastating effects of livestock grazing, and its elimination was considered essential to the preservation of natural biotic communities. Very extensive bibliography, 46 figures (many b/w photos), 32 tables, 8 appendices (list of perennials, soil and precipitation data, management recommendations). (See also NRBIB: ORPI-0542).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Steenbergh, Warren; Warren, Peter
- Date of Issue
- 1977-03
- Publisher
- Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Arizona, National Park Service
- Units
- ORPI
- Keywords
- Aguajita Spring (ORPI), Ajo Mountains (ORPI), Biodiversity, Checklist, Desert, Exclosures, Grazing, Growler Valley (ORPI), Livestock, Moisture, Natural Resource Management, Plant Communities, Population Density, Precipitation, Preservation, Rodents (Rodentia), Senita Basin (ORPI)