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This poster presents vegetation sampling and analysis being used to develop desert preserve boundary recommendations for Cave Creek, Apache, Skunk Creek, and Dead Man washes in north Phoenix. All of these washes are under consideration for inclusion into the Phoenix desert preserve system. Our study team includes representatives from Arizona State University (ASU) Main, ASU West, the Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the Phoenix Parks Recreation and Library Department (PRLD).
The study covers about 30 linear miles and includes vegetation sampling and working meetings to determine study boundaries based on field data. Field work is complete for the Cave Creek, Apache, and half of Skunk Creek Wash study areas. In these areas, vegetation is classified into seven types corresponding to dominant plant species and landscape physiognomy: (1) rocky and sandy wash bottom, (2) wash banks and secondary washes, (3) opuntia cacti areas, (4) creosote bush-bursage communities, (5) hillsides and other sloped terrain, (6) tanks, and (7) bursage burned area. The boundary decision-making process was scenario-based in order to develop, with limited time and budget, preservation alternatives that allow the PRLD to consider a broad spectrum of options. The scenarios produced alternatives varying from maximum to minimum preservation for each wash.
This project contributes to the effort to preserve Sonoran Desert land by integrating ecological information into the urban planning process through two reports that will communicate ecological data in a form that can be used by city planners and decision makers. Midway through the study, two important points are clear: (1) ecological information is being applied as it is available, because development pressure in the area will not wait for research to be completed, and (2) Phoenix is hungry for this kind of information.