Ecology and conservation biology of the Colorado River Delta, Mexico

Glenn, Edward P.; Zamora-Arroyo, Francisco; Nagler, Pamela L.; Briggs, Mark K.; Shaw, William W.; Flessa, Karl W.

doi:10.1006/jare.2001.0832

Cited by 92 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Most of the vast freshwater and brackish wetlands that blanketed the Colorado River delta were reduced to barren mudflats or stands of the exoticinvasive plant species Tamarix ramosissima (plant nomenclature according to Hickman 1993). For accounts of the historic Colorado River Delta see Sykes (1937), and Glenn et al (1996Glenn et al ( , 2001). Flows to the limitrophe reach were especially rare from the early 1960s to the early 1980s (Figure 2).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Flood disturbance and riparian species diversity on the Colorado River Delta

et al. 2005

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Abstract. We investigated the influence of channel migration and expansion on riparian plant species diversity along the lower Colorado River near the United States-Mexico border. Using repeat aerial photography in a GIS we identified and classed areas of low, moderate, and high disturbance frequency caused by channel expansion and migration. Replicate vegetation plots (12 m Â 12 m) were sampled in each of the three disturbance classes. One-way ANOVA was used to test for differences in species richness, species diversity (using the Shannon-Weiner Index) and overall percent ground cover of plants between the three disturbance classes. Regardless of disturbance class, plots were dominated by trees or shrubs, especially the non-native Tamarix ramosissima, as well as Pluchea sericea, Baccharis salicifolia and Salix goodingii. Clearly woody species constitute the great bulk of overall species richness, percent ground cover, and species diversity (H 0 ) in each disturbance group. No overall statistically significant differences were revealed among the disturbance groups for values of species richness, percent ground cover, or the Shannon-Wiener Index, though paired contrasts of means revealed that total percent ground cover on low disturbance plots was significantly higher than on moderately disturbed plots. Spatial and temporal variability in riparian diversity in the study area appears to hinge on factors other than disturbance frequency such as salt or drought stress. Alternately, our results could be interpreted as suggesting that in the presence of intensive flow regulation, disturbance plays a secondary role to ecological stresses, similar to that demonstrated by others. Intentional flood pulses are advocated as a restorative management strategy for improving plant productivity, management of exotic species (particularly T. ramosissima), and restoration of overall biodiversity.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Flood disturbance and riparian species diversity on the Colorado River Delta

et al. 2005

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“…Sci. Maringá, v. 30, n. 4, p. 371-378, 2008 In these treaties, the highest priority is given to consumptive water uses, and the lowest priority to the "public benefit", understood as maintaining a river's flow sufficient to maintain fish, wildlife and habitat in the delta area; to date, the laws of the Colorado river do not cover the destination of water to maintain the ecological health of the riparian zone of the Colorado river delta and high part of the Gulf of California (Glenn et al, 2001).…”

Section: Results Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All of these efforts suggest an increasing awareness of the importance of the ecological health and show the desire of water users and their representatives to modify management practices (Glenn et al, 1999).…”

Section: Results Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Colorado river delta (Mexico): ecological importance and management

Almada¹,

Seingier²,

Vargas³

et al. 2008

Acta Sci. Biol. Sci.

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“…During the winter, the delta is home to over 400,000 migratory water birds, and it is the permanent home of over 70% of the total population of the Yuma clapper rail, a marsh bird protected in both the United States and Mexico (Hinojosa-Huerta et al 2004). Because many birds, particularly clapper rails, are sensitive to changes in wetland vegetation (HinojosaHuerta et al 2004, Conway andSulzman 2007), and delta wetland vegetation contracts as water flows decline and salinity increases (Glenn et al 1996, Glenn et al 2001, the Colorado River delta's supporting services to migratory birds are liable to decline as future water supplies dwindle (Hinojosa-Huerta 2006).…”

Section: Slower Homogenous Climate Change: the Colorado River Deltamentioning

confidence: 99%

Key landscape ecology metrics for assessing climate change adaptation options: rate of change and patchiness of impacts

López‐Hoffman¹,

Breshears²,

Miller³

2013

Ecosphere

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Abstract. Under a changing climate, devising strategies to help stakeholders adapt to alterations to ecosystems and their services is of utmost importance. In western North America, diminished snowpack and river flows are causing relatively gradual, homogeneous (system-wide) changes in ecosystems and services. In addition, increased climate variability is also accelerating the incidence of abrupt and patchy disturbances such as fires, floods and droughts. This paper posits that two key variables often considered in landscape ecology-the rate of change and the degree of patchiness of change-can aid in developing climate change adaptation strategies. We use two examples from the ''borderland'' region of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. In piñon-juniper woodland die-offs that occurred in the southwestern United States during the 2000s, ecosystem services suddenly crashed in some parts of the system while remaining unaffected in other locations. The precise timing and location of die-offs was uncertain. On the other hand, slower, homogeneous change, such as the expected declines in water supply to the Colorado River delta, will likely impact the entire ecosystem, with ecosystem services everywhere in the delta subject to alteration, and all users likely exposed. The rapidity and spatial heterogeneity of faster, patchy climate change exemplified by tree die-off suggests that decision-makers and local stakeholders would be wise to operate under a Rawlsian ''veil of ignorance,'' and implement adaptation strategies that allow ecosystem service users to equitably share the risk of sudden loss of ecosystem services before actual ecosystem changes occur. On the other hand, in the case of slower, homogeneous, system-wide impacts to ecosystem services as exemplified by the Colorado River delta, adaptation strategies can be implemented after the changes begin, but will require a fundamental rethinking of how ecosystems and services are used and valued. In sum, understanding how the rate of change and degree of patchiness of change will constrain adaptive options is a critical consideration in preparing for climate change.

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Ecology and conservation biology of the Colorado River Delta, Mexico

Cited by 92 publications

References 35 publications

Flood disturbance and riparian species diversity on the Colorado River Delta

Flood disturbance and riparian species diversity on the Colorado River Delta

The Colorado river delta (Mexico): ecological importance and management

Key landscape ecology metrics for assessing climate change adaptation options: rate of change and patchiness of impacts

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