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 .