Chihuahuan Desert
(Area - 17,935,800 ha)
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State Plans
Arizona
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Location and physiography - In the United States, the
Chihuahuan Desert includes the Trans-Pecos of Texas, southern New Mexico, and a small area in
southeast Arizona. Broad basins and valleys bordered by sloping alluvial fans and terraces make
up the dry lowlands of this region, punctuated by occasional mesas and mountain ranges. The Rio
Grande and Pecos are the primary rivers of the Chihuahuan Desert. In this arid region, riparian
corridors provide important habitat for breeding, in-transit, and wintering birds. Other drainages
end in closed basins and include few permanent streams. Arid grass and shrubland are the primary
lowland vegetation types, often dominated by creosote. This grades uphill into oak-juniper
woodlands and even coniferous forest in the highest reaches. The Madrean mountains mark its
western edge, the Edwards Plateau its east, and the reduced shrubbiness of the shortgrass plains
its north. The Chihuahuan Desert extends south across much of the Central Plateau of Mexico,
bordered by the Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental.
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Conservation issues and recommendations - The present-day dominance of various types of desert shrubland in this area reflects a history of overgrazing and significant diminishment in the area covered by desert grassland. This grassland not only supports breeding birds, but is also critical wintering habitat for high priority species such as Baird's Sparrow, Sprague's Pipit, McCown's Longspur, and Chestnut-collared Longspur. Movement toward rest- rotation or deferred grazing systems along with the reintroduction of fire could restore grasslands and improve conditions for these birds. Reduction of grazing pressure in much of the shrubland could also result in healthier conditions. Riparian habitat, as elsewhere in the arid Southwest, is important for many breeding, in-transit, and wintering birds. As elsewhere, riparian habitat has been heavily affected by patterns of use and abuse. Restoration of areas overtaken by non-native plants such as salt cedar and improved hydrology will benefit birds.
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