Physiography, Vegetation, and Avifauna of Sonora Mexico
Aaron D. Flesch
School of Natural Resources
University of Arizona Outline • Overview of Sonora • Physiography and topography • Climate gradients • Vegetation • Rivers and watersheds • History of ornithological work in Sonora • Avifaunal Statistics • Richness • Taxonomy • Seasonal Status • Habits • Extinct species or those with unknown status • Patterns of distribution • Threats • Conservation Topography in Sonora
100 km Topography in Sonora II Rainfall Gradients in Sonora
Increasing rainfall Rainfall Gradients in Sonora
Increasing rainfall
Tortillas
Flour
Other Gradients
Corn Vegetation Communities
Lower Colorado River Valley Central Gulf Coast Arizona Upland Plains of Sonora Chihuahuan Desertscrub Semidesert or Plains Grassland Madrean Evergreen Woodland Madrean Montane Conifer Forest Sinaloan Thornscrub Sinaloan Deciduous Forest Colorado Rivers and
Watersheds Sonoyta Gila
Concepcion
Asuncion Sonora
Yaqui Bacoachi
Matape Mayo Masiaca
Fuerte Cities, Population, Regions
from Villaseñor (2007) Past Studies
A Brief History of Ornithological Contributions in Sonora • 1880’s – Frazar, Cahoon, Brewster, Stephens • 1890’s – Mearns, Lumholtz • 1920’s to 50’s – van Rossem, Phillips, Moore, Lamb, Sheffler • 1950’s – Marshall Jr. • 1960’s to 80’s – Russell, Monson (Lamm, Moorhouse), Short • 1990’s – Lammertink, Rodríguez-Estrella, Brown, Stejskal • 2000’s – Villaseñor, Flesch, Hinojosa-Huerta
89 publications 1874-2005 (8,750 records), Russell and Monson (41k), Flesch (20k), Villaseñor (22k) Specimen Records
from Villaseñor (2007) Statewide Statistics I
Russell and Monson (1998) • 525 species including 35 “hypothetical” • Islands not included
“not supported by a specimen, a clearly diagnostic photograph, or extensive detailed information from multiple observers”
Villaseñor (2007) • 535 species* • Islands included
*50% of all Mexican species (1,070) • No endemics • At least one more present Statewide Statistics II
Based on 535 species:
• 20 orders and 71 families.
• Most numerous families: • Parulidae (woodwarblers) (40) • Emberizidae (emberizid sparrows) (37) • Tyrannidae (tyrant flycatchers) (34) • Anatidae (swans, geese, and ducks) (33) • Scolopacidae (sandpipers, phalaropes, and allies) (28) • Laridae (gulls, terns, and skimmers) (28) • Accipitridae (kites, eagles, and hawks) (21) Statewide Statistics III
Seasonal status of 535 species
• Permanent residents -- 223 (41.8%) • Summer residents -- 46 (8.6%) • Migratory species* -- 214 (40.2%) • Partial migrants -- 50 (9.4%)
* 25 are vagrants with <5 records, 15 are wood-warblers
~315 Possible breeding species 56% w/in 125 km of U.S. Coverage in Borderlands – Flesch 2000-2007
399 Locations (± 1 km) Statewide Statistics IV
Habits of 535 species
• 149 Aquatic • 62 are marine (5 pelagic, 57 coastal) • 59 freshwater • 28 species both coastal and interior
• 372 terrestrial • 29 lowland <1,100 m • 69 highland >1,100 m, 28 winter elevational movement • 274 wider distribution
• 14 mostly aerial (swallows and swifts). Extinct Species
Definitely • Imperial Woodpecker, Bat Falcon
Uncertain Status • Aplomado Falcon, Green Parakeet, Red- headed Tanager, Vermiculated Screech-owl, Rufous-capped Brush-finch, Baird’s Sparrow Yellow-winged Cacique, et al.
Thought to be extinct but recently re-discovered • Solitary Eagle, Laughing Falcon, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Masked Tityra, Citreoline Trogon
High Potential for extinction • Masked Bobwhite Threats to Birds in Sonora
Destruction of riparian habitat and water diversion • Rio Yaqui and Colorado deltas, wells
Overgrazing • Grasslands and riparian areas, columnar cacti
Land clearing for Ag., pastures, development • TDF in Alamos, Plains of Sonora
Woodcutting • Loss of desert and mesquite woodlands
Lack of Information • Little focus on biodiversity preservation Conservation of Birds and Habitat in Sonora
NGO’s • Naturalia, Pronatura, BIDA, NCI.
Federal Government • CONANP, Biosphere Reserves, Laws
Consortiums • Sonoran Joint Venture
Concerned Citizens • Not well supported or organized but many
Ecotourism • Gringo birders