Details - CALS Networking Lab - University of Arizona

Centimeters from mean Degrees Celsius difference from mean
4
2
0
-2
-4
10
5
0
-5
-10
Temperature
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Precipitation
Manning Camp
Month
2001
2002
2003
2001
2002
2003
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure 2.3. Comparison of monthly weather data during the time of the majority of the inventory
effort (2001–2003) compared to the mean (1994–2004 for Manning Camp, 1894–2004 for University of
Arizona; thick solid line in all figures), Saguaro National Park. Data for Manning Camp from PCFCD
(2005) and data for University of Arizona from WRCC (2005).
differences in precipitation and temperature.
These mountain ranges extend from subtropical
to temperate latitudes, hosting species whose
core distributions are from the Sierra Madre of
Mexico and the Rocky Mountains of the United
States and Canada (Warshall 1994). In southern
Arizona, the sky island mountain ranges have
similar and predictable vegetation communities
across elevational gradients, from low-elevation
Sonoran desertscrub to high-elevation conifer
forests. Below we review the major vegetation
and biotic communities found in the Rincon
Mountains.
Sonoran Desertscrub
Sonoran Desertscrub (Sonoran Desert Scrub;
Fig. 2.4) is found in the lowest elevation and
driest areas of the district on its west and
southern boundaries. The dominant shrubs
are velvet mesquite (Prosopis spp.), acacias
(Acacia spp.), palo verdes (Cercidium spp.), and
creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). Succulents
10
Centimeters from mean Degrees Celsius difference from mean
Centimenters from mean
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
4
2
0
-2
-4
Temperature
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Precipitation
University of Arizona
Month
2001
2002
2003
2001
2002
2003
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
are ubiquitous and include: agave (Agave spp.),
yucca (Yucca spp.), barrel cactus (Ferrocactus
and Echinocactus spp.), pincushion cactus
(Mammalaria spp.), and prickly pear and cholla
(Opuntia spp.). Warm- and cool-season annuals,
both native (e.g., woolly plantain, [Plantago
patagonia]) and introduced (e.g., red brome,
[Bromus rubens]) are common following rainfall.
Southwestern Deciduous Riparian Forest
These forests (Canyon Woodland; Fig 2.4) are
found along low-elevation washes and creeks
and are among the most biologically unique
communities in the Sonoran Desert ecoregion.
At the district they are found along Rincon Creek
and to a lesser extent along its tributaries. The
dominant tree species are Fremont cottonwood
(Populus fremonti), Arizona sycamore (Platanus
wrightii), velvet ash (Fraxinus velutina), willow
(Salix spp.), and netleaf hackberry (Celtis
reticulata). In the Rincon Mountain District
Sonoran Desertscrub bounds these zones.