San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge: Difference between revisions
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The {{convert|2309|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[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.<ref name="FWS Profile">[http://www.fws.gov/Refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=22523 Refuge profile]</ref><ref name="FWS Web">[http://www.fws.gov/refuge/San_Bernardino/ Refuge website]</ref> |
The {{convert|2309|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[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.<ref name="FWS Profile">[http://www.fws.gov/Refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=22523 Refuge profile]</ref><ref name="FWS Web">[http://www.fws.gov/refuge/San_Bernardino/ Refuge website]</ref> |
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== Geography == |
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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 [[volcano|volcanic]] activity, leaving [[volcanic plug]]s and [[cinder cone]]s visible throughout the [[San Bernardino Valley (Arizona)]]. [[Earthquake]]s 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.<ref name="FWS Profile"/><ref name="FWS Web"/> |
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 [[volcano|volcanic]] activity, leaving [[volcanic plug]]s and [[cinder cone]]s visible throughout the [[San Bernardino Valley (Arizona)]]. [[Earthquake]]s 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.<ref name="FWS Profile" /><ref name="FWS Web" /> |
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== Refuge facts == |
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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" /> |
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With expanding settlement beginning in the late 19th century came [[farming]], [[mining]], and [[livestock]] production, all of which competed for the same precious 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"/> |
With expanding settlement beginning in the late 19th century came [[farming]], [[mining]], and [[livestock]] production, all of which competed for the same precious 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 web|last=July 1|first=Maya L. Kapoor Image credit: RobertoGuerra/High Country News|last2=edition|first2=2020 From the print|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|website=www.hcn.org|language=en-us}}</ref> |
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== Ecology == |
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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''), and [[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>. |
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==Threats== |
==Threats== |
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San Bernardino is close to the [[Trump wall]], and since the wall cuts through a migration corridor for the [[North American jaguar|jaguar]] between Mexico and the US, it will likely stop the migration of Mexican jaguars to the US, besides other animals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/29/trump-border-wall-water-fish-species-threatened|title=Water-guzzling demands of Trump's border wall threaten fish species|last=Lakhani|first=Nina|date=2019-12-29|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-12-29|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biologicaldiversity.org/enwiki/w/news/press-releases/trump-bulldozes-new-wall-through-wildlife-refuge-jaguar-country-2019-10-31/|title=Trump Bulldozes New Wall Through Wildlife Refuge, Jaguar Country|website=Center for Biological Diversity|language=en|access-date=2019-11-02}}</ref> |
San Bernardino is close to the [[Trump wall]], and since the wall cuts through a migration corridor for the [[North American jaguar|jaguar]] between Mexico and the US, it will likely stop the migration of Mexican jaguars to the US, besides other animals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/29/trump-border-wall-water-fish-species-threatened|title=Water-guzzling demands of Trump's border wall threaten fish species|last=Lakhani|first=Nina|date=2019-12-29|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-12-29|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biologicaldiversity.org/enwiki/w/news/press-releases/trump-bulldozes-new-wall-through-wildlife-refuge-jaguar-country-2019-10-31/|title=Trump Bulldozes New Wall Through Wildlife Refuge, Jaguar Country|website=Center for Biological Diversity|language=en|access-date=2019-11-02}}</ref> 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 aquifer|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 [[Southwestern United States|southwest region]]”.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Prendergast|first=Curt|title=Border wall created 'dire emergency' at Arizona wildlife refuge|url=https://tucson.com/news/local/border-wall-created-dire-emergency-at-arizona-wildlife-refuge/article_646f8ced-076d-5087-aef1-dda2ffabb8f7.html|access-date=2020-08-24|website=Arizona Daily Star|language=en}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also == |
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* [[Wildlife of the United States]] |
* [[Wildlife of the United States]] |
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Revision as of 20:31, 24 August 2020
| San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 | |
  Map of the United States | |
| Location | Cochise County, Arizona, United States |
| Nearest city | Douglas, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 31°20′52″N 109°15′37″W / 31.3479°N 109.2604°W[1] |
| Area | 2,309 acres (9.34 km2) |
| Established | 1982 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge |
The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge is located on the U.S.-Mexican 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
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]
Refuge facts
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 precious 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 Bernandino 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
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), and 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 Bernandino springsnail (Pyrgulopsis bernandina), and Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis)[5][6].
Threats
San Bernardino is close to the Trump wall, and since the wall cuts through a migration corridor for the jaguar between Mexico and the US, it will likely stop the migration of Mexican jaguars to the US, besides other animals.[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
References
- ^ 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". p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d Refuge profile
- ^ a b c d Refuge website
- ^ July 1, Maya L. Kapoor Image credit: RobertoGuerra/High Country News; edition, 2020 From the print (2020-07-01). "The only catfish native to the Western U.S. is running out of water". www.hcn.org. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Species of Concern - San Bernardino - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
- ^ "Rio Yaqui Fish Species - San Bernardino - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". www.fws.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Trump Bulldozes New Wall Through Wildlife Refuge, Jaguar Country". Center for Biological Diversity. Retrieved 2019-11-02.
- ^ Prendergast, Curt. "Border wall created 'dire emergency' at Arizona wildlife refuge". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
External links
- The refuge at: (Wildlife Viewing Areas)
- The Yaqui River Drainage, Americas Heritage Waters, Northern Arizona University
- Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
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