Powell, Halvorson, Schmidt In Cooperation with the University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District Plant and Vertebrate Vascular U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center 2255 N. Gemini Drive Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Open-File Report 2006-1075 Southwest Biological Science Center Open-File Report 2006-1075 November 2006 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey National Park Service In cooperation with the University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District Edited by Brian F. Powell, William L. Halvorson, and Cecilia A. Schmidt Open-File Report 2006-1075 November 2006 USGS Southwest Biological Science Center Sonoran Desert Research Station U.S. Department of the Interior University of Arizona U.S. Geological Survey School of Natural Resources 125 Biological Sciences East National Park Service Tucson, Arizona 85721 U.S. Department of the Interior DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Mark Myers, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web:http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Suggested Citation Powell, B. F, W. L. Halvorson, and C. A. Schmidt. Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District. OFR 2006-1075. U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Sonoran Desert Research Station, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Cover photo: Rincon Creek (left); Sonoran Desertscrub with Tanque Verde ridge in the background (right). Photograph by Greg Levandowski. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Printed on recycled paper ii Editors and Authors Authors Brian F. Powell and Cecilia A. Schmidt Aaron D. Flesch School of Natural Resources School of Natural Resources 125 Biological Sciences East, Building 43 325 Biological Sciences East, Building 43 The University of Arizona The University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 Tucson, AZ 85721 William L. Halvorson Don E. Swann USGS SBSC Sonoran Desert Research Station Saguaro National Park 125 Biological Sciences East, Building 43 3693 South Old Spanish Trail The University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85730 Tucson, AZ 85721 U.S. Geological SBSC Survey Sonoran Desert Research Station Personnel Charles van Riper III, Station Leader William L. Halvorson, Research Ecologist Cecil R. Schwalbe, Ecologist Michael R. Kunzmann, Ecologist (Emeritus) Kathryn Thomas, Ecologist Pamela Nagler, Physical Scientist Phil Rosen, Ecologist Program and Expertise Areas of USGS and UA Personnel Administration & Outreach Fire Management Jennifer Meador Dennis Suhre Wendy Parrish Cori Dolan Emily Sherbrooke James Feldmann Charles van Riper III Bill Halvorson Avian Ecology Invasive Species Research Claire Crow Patricia Guertin Glenn Johnson Jim Malusa Chris O’Brien Phil Rosen Brian Powell Cecil Schwalbe Charles van Riper III Brent Sigafus Dennis Suhre Data Management Kathryn Thomas Brent Sigafus Inventory & Monitoring Ecology of Amphibians & Reptiles Patricia Guertin Kevin Baker Bill Halvorson Cristina Jones Pamela Nagler Dave Prival Brian Powell Phil Rosen Cecilia Schmidt Cecil Schwalbe Brent Sigafus Vegetation Mapping & Ecology Patricia Guertin Bill Halvorson Jim Malusa Kathryn Thomas USGS Southwest Biological Science Center http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Sonoran Desert Research Station http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/sdrs iii iv Table of Contents Report Dedication ..................................................................................................................................... xi Acknowledgements.................................................................................................................................. xiii Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................xv Chapter 1: Introduction to the Inventories...............................................................................................1 Project Overview...................................................................................................................................1 Rerport Format and Data Organization .................................................................................................2 Verification and Assessment of Results ................................................................................................3 Sampling Design ...................................................................................................................................4 Chapter 2: Park Overview..........................................................................................................................7 Park Area and History ...........................................................................................................................7 Natural Resources Overview.................................................................................................................7 Natural Resource Management Issues.................................................................................................12 Chapter 3: Plant Inventory .....................................................................................................................15 Previous and Ongoing Research..........................................................................................................15 Methods...............................................................................................................................................15 Results .................................................................................................................................................19 Inventory Completeness ......................................................................................................................21 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................................23 Chapter 4: Amphibian and Reptile Inventory.......................................................................................27 Previous Research ...............................................................................................................................27 Methods...............................................................................................................................................27 Results .................................................................................................................................................32 Inventory Completeness ......................................................................................................................40 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................................40 Chapter 5: Bird Inventory.......................................................................................................................45 Previous Research ...............................................................................................................................45 Methods...............................................................................................................................................45 Results .................................................................................................................................................52 Inventory Completeness ......................................................................................................................57 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................................62 Chapter 6: Mammal Inventory...............................................................................................................69 Previous and Ongoing Research..........................................................................................................69 Methods...............................................................................................................................................69 Results .................................................................................................................................................78 Inventory Completeness ......................................................................................................................81 Discussion ...........................................................................................................................................84 Chapter 7: Literature Cited ....................................................................................................................89 v List of Tables Table 1. Summary of vascular plant and vertebrate inventories at Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District, 1999–2005. ..................................................................................................xv