Aravaipa Canyon Ecosystem | Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Aravaipa Creek slashes a spectacular, narrow canyon as it cuts across the northern end of the Galiuro Mountains, much of it through designated wilderness. The Aravaipa Ecosystem COA includes the riparian corridor of Aravaipa Creek as well as the uplands of desertscrub and semidesert grasslands above the canyon. Ephemeral to intermittent in its upper watershed, Aravaipa Creek becomes perennial at Aravaipa Spring as it meanders westward through the Galiuro Mountains. Aravaipa Creek’s 22-mile-long perennial reach supports one of the last remaining complete assemblages of desert fishes in Arizona with seven native species. Other wildlife using the canyon include lowland leopard frog, the threatened Mexican spotted owl and western yellow-billed cuckoo, and desert bighorn sheep. The COA supports mixed forests of sycamore, cottonwood, willow, walnut, ash, and white oak at the lowest elevations while mesquite bosques line higher terraces above the floodplain. Upper elevations support a mix of Sonoran desertscrub and semidesert grassland of native perennial grasses, with uppermost elevations supporting evergreen woodlands of oak and juniper.

Conservation Goals

Maintain and enhance the diversity of native fish and wildlife species and native habitats of the Aravaipa ecosystem.
Remove invasive plant and animal species that can threaten this delicate ecosystem.

Map

Primary Threats

8. Invasive and Other Problematic Species

8.1: Invasive non-native species

9. Natural System Modifications

9.1: Fire and fire suppression

Potential Conservation Actions

2. Land and Water Management

2.2: Invasive/problematic species control

Monitor aquatic and terrestrial non-native species and their impacts to the Aravaipa ecosystem and develop appropriate management actions to eliminate or control such species.
Support the monitoring of native/non-native parasites and diseases in fish and amphibian populations.

2.3: Habitat and natural process restoration