Final Project Report NRPP Intermountain Region Natural Resource Management Fund: Ecological Restoration of Schmutz and Cottonwood Springs, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona FY2001-02
Grand Canyon National Park, Science Center. 2002. Final Project Report NRPP Intermountain Region Natural Resource Management Fund: Ecological Restoration of Schmutz and Cottonwood Springs, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona FY2001-02. Grand Canyon National Park, Science Center. Grand Canyon, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park Science Center received funds from the Intermountain Region Natural Resource Fund to restore two degraded springs on the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Schmutz and Cottonwood. Spring and riparian areas provide an essential source of water and habitat for many plant and animal species. The majority of the native desert riparian areas in the southwest have been significantly modified or eliminated. Altered springs located in national parks provide a good opportunity for the restoration of critical ecosystem processes and habitats. These two springs, located on the north rim, in the western part of Grand Canyon National Park have been polluted by cattle over the past 30 years. The impacts include loss of vegetation and organic matter, soil compaction and loss, water pollution, destruction of cryptobiotic soils, encroachment of non-native plant species, and loss of wildlife habitat. The majority of the feral cattle have been removed from the proposed project area; however, without active restoration, these important desert 'environments would remain in a severely degraded state and may not recover to an acceptable condition.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Grand Canyon National Park, Science Center
- Date of Issue
- 2002
- Publisher
- Grand Canyon National Park, Science Center
- Units
- GRCA
- Keywords
- Plant Communities, Plant Studies, Restoration - Natural, Revegetation, Vegetation Surveys, Wildlife habitat improvement