Digitized Range Maps for Modern
Plants of the Southwest
Many ecological studies require digital coverages of individual plant species limits. For the purpose of studying the effects of current and future climate changes on ecosystems, this USGS Global Change Research Program project (Past, recent, and 21st century vegetation change in the arid south-west) is producing some maps of important plant species distributions that are suitable for use in GIS and other computer applications. Each map is a compilation of spatial data from multiple sources.
Creosote Bush
(Larrea tridentata; Larrea divaricata) - Creosote bush is one of the primary
shrubs in North American deserts. Four map views are available
highlighting different deserts.
Preview PDF (may not display full document) | Download full PDF Map Image | Data Sources and Description for Larrea Maps | Download Zipped ArcGIS Shapefiles and Metadata | |
Larrea tridentata - North American Coverage | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of Map | View PDF of Description and Data Sources | Download North American Shapefile |
Larrea tridentata - Chihuahuan Desert Map | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of map | ||
Larrea tridentata - Sonoran Desert Map | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of map | ||
Larrea tridentata - Northern Mojave Map | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of map |
Pinyon Pines (Pinus edulis, Pinus monophylla) and related 1 needled pinyon varieties. These maps include two less-well-recognized single-needle types which we have termed the "fallax"-type and the "californiarum"-type. Cross-sections of different needle types. (see data source description for full taxonomic detail).
One and Two Needled Pinyon Pines | Species or Anatomical Type | Preview PDF (may not display full document) | Download full PDF Map Image | Data Sources and Description for Pinyon Maps | Download Zipped ArcGIS Shapefiles and Metadata |
Composite map of all four ranges | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of map | View PDF of Description and Data Sources | ||
Colorado Pinyon | Pinus edulis | Preview PDF of Maps | Download Zipped PDF of map | Download Shapefile | |
Singleleaf Pinyon | Pinus monophylla | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of map | Download Shapefile | |
Arizona Singleleaf Pinyon | fallax - type | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of map | Download Shapefile | |
California Singleleaf Pinyon | californiarum - type | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of map | Download Shapefile |
Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia). This giant member of the Lily family typifies the Mojave Desert.
Species | Preview PDF (may not display full document) | Download full PDF Map Image | Data Sources and Description | Download Zipped ArcGIS Shapefiles and Metadata | |
Joshua Tree | Yucca brevifolia | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of Map | Description and Data Sources | Download Shapefile |
Utah Agave (Agave utahensis). This most northerly Agave is endemic to the Mojave Desert and the Grand Canyon.
Species | Preview PDF (may not display full document) | Download full PDF Map Image | Data Sources and Description | Download Zipped ArcGIS Shapefiles and Metadata | |
Utah Agave | Agave utahensis | Preview PDF of Map | Download Zipped PDF of Map | Description and Data Sources | Download Shapefile |
Many additional characteristic trees and shrubs of southwestern deserts are being completed and will be posted here in the future. Additional digitized range maps can be downloaded from the web site at:
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