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Ever since I can remember, I have explored the undeveloped Sonoran desert environment right out my back door in suburban Phoenix, Arizona. Adjacent to my home is an acre of undisturbed desert flora and fauna. It is home to abundant cacti and desert plant species as well as the desert animals that inhabit them. The rocky property is slightly sloped, with a deep ravine bordering the northeast side. It is the wild nature of this desert habitat that attracted my family to the area, as it has so many others. The smell of the creosote bushes after a rain and the sounds of coyotes howling in the evening are intoxicating. Because of the abundant wildfires that have plagued Arizona during the last two years, our neighborhood association required that all dry vegetation be removed from residential properties. Following this decision, a neighborhood newsletter article was submitted by a property owner opposing the removal of native Sonoran desert plant species. The resident pointed out that although many types of desert vegetation appear to be dead in summer, they are only dormant during low rainfall periods. This individual pointed out that it is this same type of vegetation that attracts the diverse desert fauna that are enjoyed by homeowners in the area. Most people intentionally chose to live in this area because of its undeveloped nature. Because of an increase in urban sprawl, few intact Sonoran desert areas exist within the Phoenix metropolitan area. |
 A map showing the field site and grid transects.(Click to enlarge) It was this article that gave me the idea for my expedition project. The purpose of my study was to determine whether Sonoran desert flora densities and diversities would have any impact on the densities and diversities of desert fauna. The results of the study might be used to manage the development of undisturbed deserts for human use in such a manner as to preserve native animal species. If any impact was found, the study might suggest guidelines for the native plant densities required per acre in order to preserve the natural Sonoran desert fauna. It is my hypothesis that Sonoran desert plant density and diversity will affect the density and diversity of the desert-dwelling fauna in an undeveloped desert ecosystem. I believe that it will be found that the greater the plant density and diversity, the greater that of the fauna. This study documents the effect of plant diversity on animal populations associated with the Sonoran desert. Plant-animal interactions are used to suggest guidelines for the development of Sonoran desert environments in order to preserve the natural environment and encourage the survival of native animals. This study will show the importance of preserving native Sonoran desert plant species. |
        
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