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Coordinates: 31°20′52″N 109°15′37″W / 31.3479°N 109.2604°W / 31.3479; -109.2604
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| nearest_city = [[Douglas, Arizona]]
| nearest_city = [[Douglas, Arizona]]
| coordinates = {{coord|31.3479|N|109.2604|W|region:US-AZ|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|31.3479|N|109.2604|W|region:US-AZ|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = <ref>{{cite web |author=U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |title=Environmental Assessment for San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge Projects Associated with Mitigation for Department of Homeland Security Tactical Infrastructure |date=28 March 2011 |url=http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/SBNWRDRAFTEAMarch282011.pdf |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/63WS4P5ax |archive-date=27 November 2011 |page=45 |access-date=27 November 2011}}</ref>
| coords_ref = <ref>{{cite web |author=U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |title=Environmental Assessment for San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge Projects Associated with Mitigation for Department of Homeland Security Tactical Infrastructure |date=28 March 2011 |url=http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/SBNWRDRAFTEAMarch282011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030104150/http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/SBNWRDRAFTEAMarch282011.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2011 |url-status=dead |page=45 |access-date=27 November 2011}}</ref>
| area = {{convert|2309|acre|km2|abbr=on}}
| area = {{convert|2309|acre|km2|abbr=on}}
| established = 1982
| established = 1982
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The San Bernardino Valley once supported permanently flowing creeks, springs, and marshy wetlands. The giant sacaton grassland in the valley has been described as "a luxuriant meadow some eight or ten miles long and a mile wide." The dependable source of water and grass made the area not only invaluable to a huge diversity of fish and wildlife, but also a center of human activity for centuries.<ref name="FWS Profile" /><ref name="FWS Web" />
The San Bernardino Valley once supported permanently flowing creeks, springs, and marshy wetlands. The giant sacaton grassland in the valley has been described as "a luxuriant meadow some eight or ten miles long and a mile wide." The dependable source of water and grass made the area not only invaluable to a huge diversity of fish and wildlife, but also a center of human activity for centuries.<ref name="FWS Profile" /><ref name="FWS Web" />


With expanding settlement beginning in the late 19th century came [[farming]], [[mining]], and [[livestock]] production, all of which competed for the same water. While the extensive [[wetland]]s here once provided historic habitat for eight different kinds of native fish, the lowering water table led to severe changes in the habitat and the eventual local extinctions of many species.<ref name="FWS Profile" /><ref name="FWS Web" /> The San Bernandino National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1982 as part of a novel approach of rescuing these species; manmade [[Artesian aquifer|artesian wells]] connected to the aquifer that could host the endangered fish being threatened by the draining of their habitats.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Maya L. |last=Kapoor |date=2020-07-01|title=The only catfish native to the Western U.S. is running out of water|url=https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.7/fish-the-only-catfish-native-to-the-western-u-s-is-running-out-of-water|access-date=2020-08-24|work=High Country News|language=en-us}}</ref>
With expanding settlement beginning in the late 19th century came [[farming]], [[mining]], and [[livestock]] production, all of which competed for the same water. While the extensive [[wetland]]s here once provided historic habitat for eight different kinds of native fish, the lowering water table led to severe changes in the habitat and the eventual local extinctions of many species.<ref name="FWS Profile" /><ref name="FWS Web" /> The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1982 as part of a novel approach of rescuing these species; manmade [[Artesian aquifer|artesian wells]] connected to the aquifer that could host the endangered fish being threatened by the draining of their habitats.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Maya L. |last=Kapoor |date=2020-07-01|title=The only catfish native to the Western U.S. is running out of water|url=https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.7/fish-the-only-catfish-native-to-the-western-u-s-is-running-out-of-water|access-date=2020-08-24|work=High Country News|language=en-us}}</ref>


== Ecology ==
== Ecology ==
The refuge protects several endangered species of fish [[Endemism|endemic]] to the [[Yaqui River]]'s watershed that reach their northernmost limits at the refuge. As the Yaqui River primarily flows through [[Mexico]], the refuge is also the only area in the United States where these fish are found. The fish include the [[Yaqui chub]] (''Gila purpurea''), [[beautiful shiner]] (''Cyprinella formosa''), [[Ictalurus pricei|Yaqui catfish]] (''Ictalurus pricei''), [[Poeciliopsis sonoriensis|Yaqui topminnow]] (''Poeciliopsis sonoriensis),'' [[Yaqui longfin dace]] (''Agosia chrysogaster'' sp 1), and [[Mexican stoneroller]] (''Campostoma ornatum''). The former four species are considered federally [[Endangered species|endangered]] within the United States and are protected by the [[Endangered Species Act of 1973|Endangered Species Act]]. Other rare, range-limited species known from the refuge include the [[Escobaria robbinsiorum|Cochise pincushion cactus]] (''Escobaria robbinsiorum'') [[Lilaeopsis schaffneriana|Huachuca water umbel]] (''Lilaeopsis schaffneriana''), [[San Bernardino springsnail|San Bernandino springsnail]] (''Pyrgulopsis bernandina''), and [[Chiricahua leopard frog]] (''Lithobates chiricahuensis'').<ref>{{Cite web|title=Species of Concern - San Bernardino - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|url=https://www.fws.gov/refuge/San_Bernardino/Wildlife/Endangered.html|access-date=2020-08-24|website=www.fws.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Rio Yaqui Fish Species - San Bernardino - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|url=https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147512907|access-date=2020-08-24|website=www.fws.gov}}</ref>
The refuge protects several endangered species of fish [[Endemism|endemic]] to the [[Yaqui River]]'s watershed that reach their northernmost limits at the refuge. As the Yaqui River primarily flows through [[Mexico]], the refuge is also the only area in the United States where these fish are found. The fish include the [[Yaqui chub]] (''Gila purpurea''), [[beautiful shiner]] (''Cyprinella formosa''), [[Ictalurus pricei|Yaqui catfish]] (''Ictalurus pricei''), [[Poeciliopsis sonoriensis|Yaqui topminnow]] (''Poeciliopsis sonoriensis),'' [[Yaqui longfin dace]] (''Agosia chrysogaster'' sp 1), and [[Mexican stoneroller]] (''Campostoma ornatum''). The former four species are considered federally [[Endangered species|endangered]] within the United States and are protected by the [[Endangered Species Act of 1973|Endangered Species Act]]. Other rare, range-limited species known from the refuge include the [[Escobaria robbinsiorum|Cochise pincushion cactus]] (''Escobaria robbinsiorum'') [[Lilaeopsis schaffneriana|Huachuca water umbel]] (''Lilaeopsis schaffneriana''), [[San Bernardino springsnail]] (''Pyrgulopsis bernandina''), and [[Chiricahua leopard frog]] (''Lithobates chiricahuensis'').<ref>{{Cite web|title=Species of Concern - San Bernardino - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|url=https://www.fws.gov/refuge/San_Bernardino/Wildlife/Endangered.html|access-date=2020-08-24|website=www.fws.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Rio Yaqui Fish Species - San Bernardino - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|url=https://www.fws.gov/nwrs/threecolumn.aspx?id=2147512907|access-date=2020-08-24|website=www.fws.gov}}</ref>


==Threats==
==Threats==

Latest revision as of 19:17, 21 June 2023

San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge
Map of the United States
LocationCochise County, Arizona, United States
Nearest cityDouglas, Arizona
Coordinates31°20′52″N 109°15′37″W / 31.3479°N 109.2604°W / 31.3479; -109.2604[1]
Area2,309 acres (9.34 km2)
Established1982
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteSan Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge

The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge is located on the U.S.-Mexico border in Cochise County, Arizona. Situated at 3,720 to 3,920 feet (1,130–1,190 m) elevation in the bottom of a wide valley, the refuge encompasses a portion of the headwaters of the Yaqui River, which drains primarily western Chihuahua and eastern Sonora, Mexico. The 2,309-acre (9.34 km2) ranch was acquired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1982 to protect the water resources and provide habitat for endangered native fishes.[2][3]

Geography

[edit]

This area is part of the basin and range geologic region, characterized by linear mountain ranges which are separated by broad, flat basins. The region was impacted by relatively recent volcanic activity, leaving volcanic plugs and cinder cones visible throughout the San Bernardino Valley (Arizona). Earthquakes have further altered the region and helped allow the flow of many springs and seeps. All of these dynamic geological events have played major roles in shaping the valley, catching and storing crucial water, and helping determine the variety of plants and animals present.[2][3]

History

[edit]

The San Bernardino Valley once supported permanently flowing creeks, springs, and marshy wetlands. The giant sacaton grassland in the valley has been described as "a luxuriant meadow some eight or ten miles long and a mile wide." The dependable source of water and grass made the area not only invaluable to a huge diversity of fish and wildlife, but also a center of human activity for centuries.[2][3]

With expanding settlement beginning in the late 19th century came farming, mining, and livestock production, all of which competed for the same water. While the extensive wetlands here once provided historic habitat for eight different kinds of native fish, the lowering water table led to severe changes in the habitat and the eventual local extinctions of many species.[2][3] The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1982 as part of a novel approach of rescuing these species; manmade artesian wells connected to the aquifer that could host the endangered fish being threatened by the draining of their habitats.[4]

Ecology

[edit]

The refuge protects several endangered species of fish endemic to the Yaqui River's watershed that reach their northernmost limits at the refuge. As the Yaqui River primarily flows through Mexico, the refuge is also the only area in the United States where these fish are found. The fish include the Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea), beautiful shiner (Cyprinella formosa), Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei), Yaqui topminnow (Poeciliopsis sonoriensis), Yaqui longfin dace (Agosia chrysogaster sp 1), and Mexican stoneroller (Campostoma ornatum). The former four species are considered federally endangered within the United States and are protected by the Endangered Species Act. Other rare, range-limited species known from the refuge include the Cochise pincushion cactus (Escobaria robbinsiorum) Huachuca water umbel (Lilaeopsis schaffneriana), San Bernardino springsnail (Pyrgulopsis bernandina), and Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis).[5][6]

Threats

[edit]

Construction of the Trump wall cut through a migration corridor for the jaguar. It will likely stop the migration of jaguars and other animals between Mexico and the US.[7][8] From late 2019 onwards, massive amounts of water have been pumped from the aquifer for the wall's construction, causing likely permanent damage to the natural water flow in the area. Declassified emails released in mid 2020, dating back to the beginning of the wall's construction in fall 2019, found that water extraction for the wall drained several of the refuge's crucial artesian wells, forcing evacuations of the endangered fish in them. Large-capacity water pumps had to be purchased and installed in order to mimic the natural pond outflow lost by the water extraction. Refuge manager Bill Radke has referred to the wall's construction as the “current greatest threat to endangered species in the southwest region”.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (28 March 2011). "Environmental Assessment for San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge Projects Associated with Mitigation for Department of Homeland Security Tactical Infrastructure" (PDF). p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Refuge profile
  3. ^ a b c d Refuge website
  4. ^ Kapoor, Maya L. (2020-07-01). "The only catfish native to the Western U.S. is running out of water". High Country News. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
  5. ^ "Species of Concern - San Bernardino - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
  6. ^ "Rio Yaqui Fish Species - San Bernardino - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
  7. ^ Lakhani, Nina (2019-12-29). "Water-guzzling demands of Trump's border wall threaten fish species". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  8. ^ "Trump Bulldozes New Wall Through Wildlife Refuge, Jaguar Country" (Press release). Center for Biological Diversity. October 31, 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  9. ^ Prendergast, Curt. "Border wall created 'dire emergency' at Arizona wildlife refuge". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
[edit]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

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