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Submitted to: Landscape Ecology
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 1/3/2005 Publication Date: 12/1/2005 Citation: Goslee, S.C. 2005. Riparian areas of the southwestern united states. Landscape Ecology. 20:1029-1030. Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required. Technical Abstract: The riparian wetlands of the southwestern United States are often overlooked in general surveys of wetland ecology simply because of their very small total area. Wetland areas make up less than 2% of the total land area in the southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, and portions of the surrounding states), but their importance to the native flora and fauna, and to the humans of the region, is far greater than this small proportion would suggest. Often the rivers are the only source of surface water, and are essential for native and migratory animals, for urban areas and agriculture. The scarcity of water in the desert southwest ensures that these uses come into conflict. This volume contains eighteen chapters on various aspects of riparian wetlands, roughly divided into three sections: background information, a survey of the flora and fauna, and management and assessment. Throughout, care is taken to emphasize the differences from and similarities to the more widely-known wetlands of the eastern United States. While not an essential book for the landscape ecologist, this edited volume does a very nice job describing the physical and biotic environment of the riparian areas of the southwestern United States, and covers the complex management and regulatory issues driven by the competing uses for scarce water resources. Anyone who is interested in these fascinating ecosystems should take the time to look through this book. It provides a valuable service just by reminding us all that that not all wetlands are found in the east, and that the southwest isn't just desert. |
