Sonoran Desert Erosion Assessments

Upland desert shrubland areas, such as those found in Sonoran Desert Network parks, can be highly susceptible to water erosion. The arid climate, prone to flash flooding, and easily weathered sedimentary geologies of these areas combine to create a highly erosive landscape. Although erosional processes are a natural part of landscape evolution, they can accelerate under certain conditions (often related to land-use practices), creating problems for park managers charged with preserving cultural and hydrologic resources, as well as flora and fauna. These erosion assessments were conducted to provide supporting information for the Sonoran Desert Network's Terrestrial Vegetation and Soils monitoring program and to identify potential problem areas for park managers.