Southwestern Desert Resources


Book Description

The southwestern deserts stretch from southeastern California to west Texas and then south to central Mexico. The landscape of this region is known as basin and range topography featuring to “sky islands” of forest rising from the desert lowlands which creates a uniquely diverse ecology. The region is further complicated by an international border, where governments have caused difficulties for many animal populations. This book puts a spotlight on individual research projects which are specific examples of work being done in the area and when they are all brought together, to shed a general light of understanding the biological and cultural resources of this vast region so that those same resources can be managed as effectively and efficiently as possible. The intent is to show that collaborative efforts among federal, state agency, university, and private sector researchers working with land managers, provides better science and better management than when scientists and land managers work independently.




The Nation's Range Resources


Book Description







Technical Bulletin


Book Description







New Mexico Vegetation


Book Description

Originally published in 1993 and now available for the first time in paperback, this book remains one of the few authoritative vegetation compilations for a western state. It is the first comprehensive study of the biological history and evolution of New Mexico's vegetation and includes a detailed account of the distribution of plant communities in the state today. Discussed are the following major types of vegetation: tundra and coniferous forest, woodland and savanna, grassland, scrubland, riparian, and wetlands. For each type, information is provided on the principal plant species. In addition, for each vegetation type special attention is given to describing how plants sharing a common location interact and, in particular, how human activity impacts on each type. Much of New Mexico's vegetation is in some stage of succession as a result of human-initiated disturbances such as fire, logging, and livestock grazing. The book ends with a detailed description of species of special concern and what is being done to preserve examples of vegetation types within the state. A map of the state's vegetation, including types not found on existing maps, accompanies the book. The classifications of vegetation employed here are easily recognizable in the field, which makes them of greater use to the public as well as to resource managers, researchers, and students.