Endangered Species of the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Home , Astrophytum asterias, Ayenia limitaris, Gulf Coast jaguarundi, Manihot walkerae, Rio Grande valley

Endangered Species of the Lower Rio Grande Valley; Anthropogenic Activities and their Consequences on Species Diversity Victoria Cantu, Teresa Feria Arroyo [email protected] and [email protected] 1The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Department of Biology, 1201 W University Drive Edinburg, TX 78539, USA

The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) is one of the most unique Most papers address issues related to species such as the Ocelot. Few papers address issues related to plants such as Manihot walkerae, an endangered transboundary regions in terms of ecology and the increasing pressures of Around 110 species Over 90% of the endemic species that occurs in the Tamaulipas Thorne Forest. human development.The goals of this research are: natural have become 1. 1. To document the research that has been done related to endangered landscape has threatened or There are several things that can be done in order to mitigate the risk to been deforested The Lower Rio endangered in the species in the LRGV and in the LRGV. Grande Valley LRGV. threatened and endangered species in the region. 2. To bring awareness among the local communities of the endangered pictured here, spans an • The general public should be aware of the threat to biodiversity in area of around 60,000 animal and plant populations of the LRGV. square miles. the region. As preliminary results, we found that there are multiple pressures put on • Conserve suitable habitat of the LRGV. By maintaining these lands free the endangered species of this area. Threats to biodiversity identified from human interference, populations will be better supported. through the research include: • To continue creating open wildlife corridors at the border wall. • Agricultural practices, habitat deforestation and degradation, the addition As has been previously discussed, having such a large impermeable barrier of a physical barrier such as the border wall will divide up breeding to the movement of species will cause a multitude of issues. groups, leading to less genetic diversity needed for successful populations to thrive. Research on species interactions is critical to analyze the synergies of factors Photo credit: Google Earth In order to conserve endangered species, the community needs to be aware such as habitat loss, climate change, overharvesting, and invasive species on of their importance, thus future work includes developing projects such as: A few endangered or threatened Species of the Lower species endangerment in the Lower Rio GrandeValley and surrounding areas. • Citizen science and videos in English and Spanish that can reach the Rio Grande Valley include: entire LRGV community and promote collaboration to save our Ocelot Leopardus pardalis, Star Cactus Astrophytum asterias, Walker’s Manioc endangered species. Manihot walkerae, Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis septentrionalis,, Texas Ayenia Ayenia limitaris, Least Tern Sternula antillarium, Zapata Bladderpod Lesquerella Star Cactus Remarks (Terry, 2007) thamnophila, Gulf Coast Jaguarundi Herpailurus yagouraroundi cacomitli, Piping The survival of the native endangered species of the LRGV depends on Objective & Introduction Clover Charadrius molodus human activity and the actions that we as a community and a nation make in the coming years. There are several species which face great challenges in this region and The objective of this research is to analyze a collection research papers without sufficient aid and restoration efforts, these species very well might go through the literature review process to identify threatened and endangered extinct soon. Not only does this loss pose various challenges to the species of the Lower Rio Grande Valley as well as possible solutions to help to ecosystems, but the narrowing range of biodiversity will make the remaining mitigate the threat to biodiversity of the region. species less able to adapt to the coming challenges of global warming, drought, and increased aridity. Introduction Suggestions for Future Research The Lower Rio Grande Valley and Northern Mexico transboundary region is a The Border Wall continues As the environment continues to change, the research conducted in the area highly biodiverse region home to several endangered species, some of to divide animal populations must change as well. Research should continue to focus on the serious which are endemic only to the four counties that make up the area. and breeding groups as well as inhibit movement and threats to the endemic species such as the border wall and deforestation. (Lombardi et al, 2020) migration of species. Acknowledgements • Due to explosive urbanization and intense human activities as well as a I would like to thank the members of my research group including Chelsey high level of land conversion, the native species of the region have had a Faris, Katherine Alvarez, Melissa Salinas, Yo s e l i n Martinez, and Gisel Garza for difficult time adapting and have seen a reduction in their numbers. their valuable input and advice in the research process. I would also like to • Hundreds of migratory species such as insects and birds cross the US- Materials and Methods extend gratitude towards Dr. Te r e s a Feria Arroyo for her guidance throughout Mexico border each year. If this habitat is destroyed, they will be vulnerable to this semester. the threat of endangerment and extinction. The Search for Relevant Publications • Many human activities such as the construction of the border wall have directly destroyed hundreds of miles of habitat around this transboundary Various databases were searched for publications that were relevant to the geographic region and topic of study. The search engines region. used were Research Gate and Google Scholar. References • This physical boundary also hinders animal movement and is projected to Lombardi, Jason & Te we s , Michael & Perotto-Baldivieso, Humberto & Mata, Jose & Campbell, divide breeding pools of already endangered animals which range between the Key words used for literature search Tyler. (2020). Spatial structure of woody cover affects habitat use patterns of ocelots in Texas. United States and Mexico. (Greenwall et al. 2017) Mammal Research. 65. 10.1007/s13364-020-00501-2. • Land use in the valley has quickly converted and deforested over 95% of Endangered species, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Tamaulipas thornforest, Greenwald, Noah & Segee, Brian & Curry,Tierra & Bradley, Curtis. (2017).A Wall in the Wild: the natural habitat of the valley into agricultural fields and suburban housing. The Disastrous Impacts of Trump's Border Wall on Wildlife. Center for Biological • For proper conservation and salvation of these species at risk such as the Diversity Report.. 10.13140/RG.2.2.36526.97602. Tiefenbacher, John. (1995). Environmental Hazards of the Lower Rio GrandeValley -- 1995. Ocelot in the United States and the Star Cactus, the remaining habitat Data analysis Brook, Barry et. Al (2008) Synergies Among Extinction Drivers Under Global Change. should be conserved as best as possible. Trends in Ecology and EvolutionVol. 23 No. doi:10.1016/j.tree.2008.03.011 A database with information of year of papers, authors, endangered species, or habitat was gathered. Charlesworth, Deborah & Willis, John. (2009).The genetics of inbreeding depression. Nature reviews. Genetics. 10. 783-96. 10.1038/nrg2664.