Arizona Mountains forests
| Southwest Sky Islands Forests | |
|---|---|
Temperate coniferous forests | |
| Borders | |
| Bird species | 208[1] |
| Mammal species | 123[1] |
| Geography | |
| Area | 109,100 km2 (42,100 sq mi) |
| Country | United States |
| States | |
| Rivers | Gila River |
| Conservation | |
| Habitat loss | 0.307%[1] |
| Protected | 73.78%[1] |
The Arizona Mountains forests are a
temperate coniferous forests ecoregion of the southwest United States
with a rich variety of woodland habitats and wildlife.
Setting
This is a landscape of steep mountains and high stony plateaus with rocky outcrops from the Kaibab Plateau in northern Arizona south to the Mogollon Plateau and eastwards across into southwestern New Mexico. Elevations range from 1,370 to 3,000 meters (4,490 to 9,840 ft), with some peaks higher than that. Specific areas include the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. [2]
Flora
Trees of higher elevations of the area include
Arizona white oak
. Finally the rivers and their banks are important habitats for specific wildlife and fish.
Fauna
Wildlife found here include the miniature
invertebrates
.
Threats and preservation
This is a fairly stable ecoregion with about 25% of original habitat still intact although vulnerable to logging and
Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) and the northern goshawk
(Accipiter gentalis).
Large blocks of remaining habitat include: the
Carlsbad Caverns
in southeastern New Mexico and western Texas. Much of this is linked and well-protected within national parkland.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d
Hoekstra, J. M.; Molnar, J. L.; Jennings, M.; Revenga, C.; Spalding, M. D.; Boucher, T. M.; Robertson, J. C.; Heibel, T. J.; Ellison, K. (2010). Molnar, J. L. (ed.). The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference. ISBN 978-0-520-26256-0.
- ^ "Arizona Mountains forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.