Birthplace of the green revolution; marine mammals in a flooded rift valley in the Sonoran Desert, a deeper canyon than the Grand, and cliff dwellings

I. Map boundaries: 20 to 30 degrees North; 108 to 117 degrees West

II. Country (State): Mexico (Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Sonora)

III. Overview

In the 1940s, the Rockefeller Foundation was working with Mexico to improve its agriculture. The country was in the middle of a devastating wheat stem rust epidemic. The foundation hired Norman Borlaug as a wheat breeder to try to improve resistance to stem rust. The work was taking place at the cooler highlands near Mexico City. When Borlaug learned that an abandoned experiment station was available in the Yaqui Valley of Sonora, he realized that two generations of wheat could be grown per year. First, the wheat could be planted in the summer in Mexico City. Then that seed could be harvested and grown in the winter in Sonora. By breeding two generations per year, the time it takes to breed new hybrid varieties would be cut in half. The Sonoran experiment station was key to developing the high-yield, disease resistant wheat varieties now in use throughout the world. Today, the Normal E. Borlaug Experiment Station in Sonora is operated by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, and seeds are still being shuttled between Mexico City and the Yaqui Valley (Stokstad 2009). The Yaqui valley marks the transition between the tropical dry forests of Mexico and the Sonoran Desert, which extends north into Arizona.

The Yaqui River is a major tributary to the Gulf of California, or Sea of Cortez, a flooded rift valley complete with volcanoes (on the west shore) and hydrothermal vents where the Pacific plate is separating from the North American plate. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents off of Guaymas Bay were where sulfate-reducing bacteria have been found that can live in hot sediments around hydrothermal vents at temperatures up to 110 degrees C (230 degrees F) (Jorgensen, Isaksen and Jannasch 1992).

Within the Gulf, 232 islands have been designated a world heritage site. The seas around these islands harbor a large number of different types of whales and marine mammals. Loreto Bay National Marine Park, centered on Carmen Island, is known for the greatest diversity of whales. These islands harbor the largest number of island endemics in North America. There are 33 endemic mammals, 3 endemic amphibians, 74 endemic reptiles, and 28 endemic plants (Alvarez-Castaneda et al. 2006). Many of the islands are important bird areas and harbor migratory and breeding waterfowl. An estimated one-third of all waterfowl along the Pacific flyway use San Ignacio Bay in Sinaloa, for example. These bays and national parks in the Gulf, including Santa Maria, Lechuguilla, Ohuira, Tobarito, and Guaymas bays and Cape Pulmo, San Lorenzo, Loreto Bay, and Espiritu Santo parks, are documented in the listing of Ramsar sites and places of interest below. Wilcox (1978) points out that some of these are land-bridge islands, meaning that they have become islands isolated from the mainland as sea level has risen following the Pleistocene glaciation. The dates of isolation range from 5,800 years to 12,000 years ago. According to the theory of island biogeography, these are ‘supersaturated’ faunas that may slowly decrease in diversity with time depending the size of the island and the habitats provided.

The Gulf of California is also the only known location where a grain from the sea was used as a human food source. The plant used was eelgrass, and it was documented to be used by the Seri people in the area of Kino Bay in Sonora. It was one of the most important traditional foods and was still occasionally harvested into the 1970s (Felger and Moser 1973).

The Pacific shores of the Baja California peninsula are also notable for spectacular marine spectacles, including the calving areas for gray and blue whales at Ojo de Liebre, San Ignacio lagoon, and Magdalena Bay. These areas are the northernmost occurrence of mangroves along the Pacific coastal region of North America.

The peninsula itself contains one of the driest deserts in North America, especially around El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve and Valle de los Cirios. However, the characteristic cardon cacti, rock art, and scattered oases in the Sierra de la Gigantea and southward provide natural history points of interest. At the southern tip of the peninsula, the Sierra de la Laguna provides low-elevation tropical deserts, mid-elevation tropical forests, and a high-elevation conifer forest.

East of the Gulf, the Sonoran Desert in the north transitions into the tropical forests of Sinaloa and the high-elevation oak-pine forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The mountains of northern Mexico provide sky islands of habitat for species at the boundary between tropical and temperate zones. The Sinaloa tropical dry forest reaches its northern limit in the Copper Canyon area of Sonora, and receives rain during the summer, fall, and winter. The higher elevations receive snow in the winter. Between the Sonoran Desert and the tropical dry forest is a transition zone of organ pipe cactus-tropical forest that extends along the coast southward into Sinaloa and northward into the Yaqui Valley.

The high mountains of eastern Sonora, eastern Sinaloa, and western Chihuahua are also a hotspot of biological diversity. In Chihuahua, an agreement between US and Mexican conservation groups and a rural land cooperative, or ejido, has resulted in the creation of the Cebadillas preserve, a 10,000-acre tract of ponderosa pine forest used for breeding by the endangered thick-billed parrot (Norris 2002). Also in the region are cliff dwellings. Notable sites that may be visited are at Cuarenta Casas and Huapoca Canyon. Mexico’s highest waterfall is at Basaseachis Cascade National Park, and the Copper Canyon railroad provides access to canyons both deeper and larger than the Grand Canyon of Arizona.

IV. Terrestrial Ecoregions

A. Ecoregions of the Neararctic Biome

Tropical & Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests

NA 201, Sonoran-Sinaloan transition subtropical dry forest. This transition between the desert and tropical seasonal forest is characterized by the conspicuous presence of organ pipe cactus in the dry season. During the summer rainy season, other deciduous trees are also noticeable, including several species of Acacia. The valley of the Rio Yaqui and steep cliffs and canyons characterize the ecoregion. A coastal tongue extends southward into Sinaloa. Found in Sinaloa and Sonora.

Tropical & Subtropical Coniferous Forests

NA 302, Sierra Madre Occidental pine-oak forests. These forests occur as isolated sky islands on mountain peaks between 1,500 and 3,300 m in elevation. Drier areas have chaparral and oak-grassland vegetation. The region is known for endemic birds such as the thick-billed parrot, tufted jay, eared quetzal, and green-striped brush finch; 22 endemic reptiles; and 12 endemic amphibians. The mountain air currents are a major migratory pathway for the monarch butterfly. Found in Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora.

Mediterranean Forests, Woodland, and Scrub

NA 1201, California coastal sage and chaparral. The fire-adapted coastal sage and chaparral plants are interspersed with oak woodlands. Found on Cedros Island in Baja California.

Deserts & Xeric Shrublands

NA 1301, Baja California desert. The mountains, plains, and dunes host dry scrub of cacti, Ambrosia, and Erodium. In low humid areas epiphytes are present. Endemic mammals include the San Quintin kangaroo rat and Baja California rock squirrel. Found on the western side of the Baja California peninsula in Baja California and Baja California Sur.

NA 1303, Chihuahuan desert. This isolated desert and grassland is known for prairie dog, bison, and antelope. The dominant plant is creosote bush, along with tarbush and acacia. There are up to 1,000 endemic plant species, including one-fifth of the world’s cacti. Found in deep valleys reaching into the mountains of Chihuahua and eastern Sonora.

NA 1306, Gulf of California xeric scrub. The driest desert in Mexico is dominated by creosote and desert burr sage. Scattered oases house palm trees and other non-desert plants. There are 20 genera of plants, nine species of reptile, 12 species of mammal and two species of birds that are endemic. Found in Baja California and Baja California Sur on the coast of the Gulf of California from La Paz northward to San Luis Island.

NA 1310, Sonoran Desert. The desert most famous for the saguaro cactus is actually drier on the Sonora portions of the map and is dominated by creosote bush, ironwood, palo verde and cacti. Found in Baja California north of San Luis Island and Sonora.

Mangrove

NA 1401, Northwestern Mexican Coast mangrove. The northernmost mangroves along the Pacific Coast are dominated by four species. The ecoregion also includes areas of salt-tolerant vegetation in marshes. Big areas are found in Baja California Sur (Magdalena Bay, Ojo de Liebre lagoon, and San Ignacio lagoon; Sinaloa (Lechuquilla Bay-Fuerte delta, San Ignacio Bay, and Santa Maria Bay), and Sonora (Guaymas Bay-Yaqui River delta, Mayo River delta, Ohuira Bay, and Tobarito Estuary).

B. Ecoregions of the Neotropic Biome

Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests

NT 227, Sierra de la Laguna dry forests. This isolated sky island of habitat contains endemic plants and animals. Dominant trees are mauto (Lysiloma sp.), palo blanco (Lysiloma sp.), cajalosucho (Bursera sp.) and palo zorillo (Albizia sp.). Found in Baja California Sur.

NT 228, Sinaloan dry forests. The northernmost tropical forests extend up into the lower elevations of Copper Canyon. Common trees are kapok, quiebrocha, desert fern, and amapa. Found in Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora.

Tropical and Subtropical Coniferous Forests

NT 307, Sierra de la Laguna pine-oak forests. Forests of an endemic pine, oaks, Muhlenbergia,and Calliandra are found at higher elevations in the Sierra de la Laguna. There are endemic birds, lizards, and bats. Found in Baja California Sur.

Deserts and Xeric Shrublands

NT 1314, San Lucan xeric scrub. Cacti and yucca, along with drought-tolerant tree species, are found in lowland areas south of La Paz. Found in Baja California Sur.

V. Freshwater Ecoregions

Xeric freshwater and endorheic basins

159. Southern California Coastal-Baja California. Found in Baja California and Baja California Sur. There are no permanent watercourses, and most fish are marine-derived. Groups known to inhabit rivers are from the killifish, lamprey, sculpin, and salminoid families.

160. Sonora. This ecoregion includes Rio Mayo and points north on the east side of the Sea of Cortez. This ecoregion is characterized by endemic fish and snails. Endemics are the Opata sucker and desert chub; near endemics include Sonora chub, Sonora sucker, and Gila topminnow.

161. Guzman-Samalayuca. Located in eastern Sonora and western Chihuahua. The upper elevation headwaters of the Yaqui originally drained eastward to the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) and have fish characteristic of this watershed, including Bavispe sucker, largemouth shiner, carbonera pupfish, Chihuahua chub, and Cahita sucker.

Tropical and Subtropical Coastal Rivers

162. Sinaloa. This ecoregion includes Rio Fuerte and points south on Pacific coast. The upper elevation headwaters to of the Rio Fuerte, located to the east of the map area, originally drained eastward and are not included in the ecoregion. The ecoregion is dominated by the Poeciliopsis genus of livebearer fishes.

VI. Marine Ecoregions

Temperate Northern Pacific Realm, Warm Temperate Northeast Pacific Province

59. Southern California Bight. Located from El Vizcaino northward.

60. Cortezian. Located in Gulf of California/Sea of Cortez

61. Magdalena transition. Located from San Ignacio lagoon southward on Baja California peninsula.

VII. World Heritage Sites

Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (IPAGC). This includes nine protected area units, six of which are within the map area. A visitor center is in Kino Bay. The six units shown on the map are:

 

• Islands of the Gulf of California Flora and Fauna Reserve (IGCFFR). This includes 232 islands in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Sonora, which are grouped on the map, and described below, by location. Because of the 1,000-km north-south range of this site, islands are grouped in the ‘other points of interest’ list below by bay or other geographic feature where they are located. Terrestrial ecoregions NA 201, NA 1306, NA 1310, NA 1401, and NT 1314; marine ecoregion 60.

 

 

• San Pedro Martir Island Biosphere Reserve, Sonora. Also a Ramsar site and Important Bird Area. This island supports marine birds and two endemic lizard species. Flora includes a forest of Pachcereus pringlei and meadows of wild poppy. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1310 and marine ecoregion 60.

 

 

• El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, Baja California Sur. This area stretches from the Gulf to the Pacific and has endemic flora, fossil beds, rock art, marine birds, and marine mammals. Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio lagoons (designated as separate world heritage sites and described below) are included in the biosphere reserve. The Tres Virgenes volcanic complex, consisting of three volcanoes, is on the east side of the reserve, near the Sea of Cortez. The El Aqguajito caldera is noted for hot springs on its south side. Terrestrial ecoregions NA 1301, NA 1306, and NA 1401; marine ecoregions 59, 60, and 61.

 

 

• Loreto Bay National Marine Park, Baja California Sur. Includes islands of Blanco, Carmen, Coronados, Danzante, Las Galeras (2 islands), Las Islitas, Mestiza, Montserrat, Pardo, San Cosme, San Damian, Santa Catalina, and Las Tijeras. Also a Ramsar Site. The diversity of marine mammals is higher than elsewhere in Mexico, with blue whales, fin whale, humpbacked whale, orcas, and dolphins. The park also protects mussels and jumbo squid. Seven endemic species of plants are found on the islands. Kayaking and diving are popular activities. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1306 and marine ecoregion 60.

 

 

• Cape Pulmo National Marine Park, Baja California Sur. Also a Ramsar Site. The only coral reef in the Gulf of California supports five endangered marine turtles. A shoreline hiking trail goes to the Las Sirenitas rock formations. Ecoregions 60.

 

 

• Cape San Lucas Flora and Fauna Reserve, Baja California Sur. A sea lion colony is off of Lands End in this reserve. Ecoregion NT 1314 and marine ecoregions 60 and 61.

 

Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco, Baja California Sur. This is one of the world’s most outstanding collections of rock paintings, well-preserved in rock shelters and deep canyons and ravines. Motifs are of people and animals. Sites include Flechas, Pintada and Raton caves, along with San Pablo Canyon, which is reached by a two-day mule-back descent. Pintada Cave has a 150-m-high wall of paintings with humans, bighorn sheep, pumas, and deer. Ecoregion NA 1301.

Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, Baja California Sur. The lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio are calving sites and wintering sites for gray whales, blue whales, sea lions, and elephant seals, as well as wintering black brant, pelicans, cormorants, terns, and gulls. Both lagoons are also Ramsar sites, sites in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, and Important Bird Areas. Guerro Negro Lagoon, to the north of Ojo de Liebre, is the world’s largest salt mine but also a site in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. Terrestrial habitats are halophytic grasslands. Terrestrial ecoregions NA 1301 and NA 1401; marine ecoregions 59 and 61.

VIII. Ramsar Sites

Asamblea Coastal Corridor-San Francisquito, Baja California. This coastal area fronting the Canal de las Ballenas supports marine turtles, seagrass beds, and corals. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1306 and marine ecoregion 60.

Babicora Lagoon, Chihuahua. Also an Important Bird Area. A closed basin of semi-arid grassland surrounded by pine forest is a migratory bird area for white-fronted goose, whimbrel, and Mexican duck also supports five endemic plant species. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 302.

Balandra, Baja California Sur. This coastal wetland in La Paz Bay supports mangroves, breeding pelicans, and marine mammals, including seven of the 11 recognized species of baleen whales and 20 of the 68 species of toothed whales. It is at the boundary of the Nearctic and Neotropical biomes. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marine ecoregion 60.

Cape Pulmo National Park, Baja California Sur. See World Heritage sites.

Colorada Flats Lagoon and Santa Maria La Reforma, Sinaloa and Sonora. Includes three major bays, shown as Santa Maria Bay, San Ignacio Bay, and Ohuira Bay on map and described further below. The three bays feature 153 islands, 25 marshes,a nd 18,500 ha of mangroves. Waterfowl include black-vented shearwater and brant. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marineecorgion 60.

Ohuira Bay (Agiabampo Estuary), Sinaloa and Sonora. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. An Important Bird Area. Includes islands of Abanahua, Bleditos, Bledos, La Bocanita, Los Comalitos, Masocahui, Masocarit, Pajaros, Pasotecora, Los Patos, Punta Colorada, El Rancho (3 islands), and Tunosa. The Navopatia Field Station on the estuary is operated by Alamos Wildlands Alliance and Evergreen State College. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marine ecoregion 60.

San Ignacio Bay, Sinaloa. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes islands of El Aguacate, Los Bledos, Cerro Blanco, Las Chivas, Los Cochis, Desoguiara, Diablitos, Guasayeye, Macapule, El Metate, Molcajete, Nescoco, Los Pajaros, Las Pichihuilas, San Ignacio, San Lucas, Tesobiare, La Ventana, Vinorama, and Yoricahui. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marine ecoregion 60.

Santa Maria Bay, Sinaloa. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, and IGCFFR. An Important Bird Area. Includes islands of Altamura, Caballos, Canahual, El Conejo, El Espiritu, La Garrapata, Melendres, El Mero, Miradero de Taviano, Otate, Saliaca, Talchichiltle, La Tembladora, Tunitas (3 islands), Varadito Reef, and Verde. An estimated one-third of all birds traveling along the Pacific flyway spend the winter here. Waterfowl include black-vented shearwater and brant. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marine ecoregion 60.

Comondu Wetlands, Baja California Sur. Three large oases in the Sierra La Gigantea support neotropical migratory birds, including the endemic Xantus’s hummingbird. Ecoregion NA 1301.

Giganta Oasis, Baja California Sur. Pools on the eastern side of the Sierra de la Giganta support Ovis canadensis and endemic flora and fauna. Ecoregion NA 1306.

Sierra de la Laguna, Baja California Sur. An Important Bird Area at the tip of the Baja California peninsula contains habitats ranging from desert scrub below 450 m, tropical deciduous forest below 1,000 m, and oak-pine forest to 2000 m. A central meadow was once a lake and is now a designated protected area. An Important Bird Area for Xantus’s hummingbird, gray thrasher, Baird’s junco, and San Luis robin. There are 974 species of plants, 23 percent of which are endemic, including five endemic genera. Birds include Xantus’s hummingbird, gray thrasher, Baird’s junco, and San Luis robin. Ecoregions NT 227, 307, and 1314.

Loreto Bay National Marine Park, Baja California Sur. See World Heritage sites.

Mogote Wetlands, Baja California Sur. These mangroves on La Paz Bay are part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and support 20,000 birds and sea lions. Terrestrial ecoregion PA 1401 and marine ecoregion 60.

Ojo de Liebre Lagoon, Baja California Sur. See Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino world heritage site above.

Pilar Oasis and San Pedro de la Presa Oasis, Baja California Sur. Pilar oasis on the western slope of Sierra El Pilar harbors unique fish fauna, the Peninsula clingfish and killifish. San Pedro de la Presa is an Important Bird Area. Ecoregion NA 1306.

Rasa Island, Baja California. Part of San Lorenzo Archipelago National Park. This volcanic island with three coastal lagoons hosts the entire population of Heerman’s gull and elegant tern and is listed as an Important Bird Area. There are also two endemic reptiles. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1306 and marine ecoregion 60.

San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur. See Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino world heritage site above.

San Pedro Martir Island, Sonora. See World Heritage sites.

IX. Man and the Biosphere Reserves.

Sierra de Alamos-Rio Cuchajaqui, Sonora. The Alamos-Rio Mayo Important Bird Area includes areas along the Mayo River and extends into Chihuahua. Alamos is a colonial silver mining town and a National Historical Monument. The Sierra de Alamos-Rio Cuchujaqui Flora and Fauna Protection Area is in the hills surrounding the town. Animals present include puma, jaguar, and ocelot. Ecoregion NT 228 and NA 302.

Islands of the Gulf of California. See description under World Heritage Sites.

Sierra de la Laguna, Baja California Sur. See description under Ramsar sites.

El Vizcaino, Baja California Sur. See description under World Heritage Sites.

X. Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network

Colorada Flat Lagoon and Santa Maria Bay, Sinaloa. See Ramsar Sites.

Complejo Ojo de Liebre-Guerro Negro Lagoon. See Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino world heritage site above

Complejo San Ignacio, Baja California Sur. See Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino world heritage site above.

Ensenada de la Paz, Baja California Sur. An Important Bird Area with nesting California least tern, used by more than 20,000 shorebirds including snowy plover, semipalmated plover, whimbrel, and marbled godwit. Terrestrial ecoregions NA 1306 and NT 1314; marine ecoregion 60.

Magdalena Bay and Almejas Bay, Baja California Sur. Also an Important Bird Area. The area has high levels of endemism in cacti. Pelican, frigatebird, cormorant, brant, and gull numbers are high. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marine ecoregion 61.

XI. Other Points of Interest

Sierra de Ajos/Bavispe Flora and Fauna Protected Area, Sonora. This area preserves eight mountain sky islands, two of which extend southward into the map area. Pine and oak forests and chapparal vegetation are present. Ecoregion NA 302.

Alijos Rocks, Baja California Sur. Three jagged rocks in the Pacific Ocean 200 miles west of Magdalena Bay rise up to 34 m above sea level. In addition to visiting seabirds, nesting Leach’s storm petrel, red-billed tropicbird, masked booby, and sooty tern have been reported (Pitman 1985). Marine ecoregion 61.

Bay of Los Angeles, Ballenas Canal, and Salsipuedes Biosphere Reserve, Baja California. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes islands of Alcatraz, Angel de la Guarda, El Borrego, Bota, Cabeza de Caballo, Calavera, Coronado (Smith), Estanque (Pond), Los Gemelitos, Granito, Mejia, Navio, Pata, El Pescador, Piojo, El Racito, and La Ventana. The Bay of Los Angeles is a station of the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Center of the National Fisheries Institute (INAPESCA). Angel de la Guarda is an Important Bird Area. Coronado Island contains a 440-m high volcano last reported active in 1539. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1306 and marine ecoregion 60.

Cascada de Basaseachic National Park, Chihuahua. Walks to a 246-m waterfall are offered. Ecoregions NT 228 and NA 302.

Campanero Mesa Ecological Reserve, Sonora. Ecoregion NA 302.

Benitos Islands, Baja California. An Important Bird Area. Terrestrial ecoregion 1301 and marine ecoregion 59.

Cebadillas (Tutuaca/Bisoloachi parrot reserve), Chihuahua. An Important Bird Area containing the most important breeding area for the thick-billed parrot. Also present is eared quetzal. Ecoregion 302.

Cedros Island, Baja California. The island contains forests of scrub juniper and pine in the center of the island. The Cedros Island oak and Cedros Island pine are endemic species. A submarine volcano was reported off the south coast in 1953. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1201 and marine ecoregion 59.

Cerocahui, Chihuahua. This is a communal landholding area that offers bird watching and a lookout of the Copper Canyon area. Ecoregion 302.

Cerralvo Canal, Baja California Sur. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes islands of Ballena, Cerralvo, Espiritu Santo, Gallina, Partida, and San Juan Nepomuceno, Cerralvo is an Important Bird Area. The Espiritu Santo archipelago is a national marine park and whale shark-watching area. Terrestrial ecoregion NT 1314 and marine ecoregion 60.

Concepcion Bay, Baja California Sur. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes islands of Blanca (Guapa), El Coyote, La Cueva, La Liebre, La Pitahaya, Requeson, San Ramon, and Santa Inez (3 islands). Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1306 and marine ecoregion 60.

Copper Canyon, Chihuahua. The Copper Canyon Railroad (Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacifico) is the main access route to seven major canyons, in an area that is four times larger than the Grand Canyon and 1800 m deep. This map area shows the western side of the canyon extending northeast from El Fuerte. Ecoregions NT 228 and NA 302.

Cuarenta Casas, Chihuahua. Cliff dwellings overlooking the dramatic Arroyo Garabato Canyon are accessible by trails. Ecoregion NA 302.

El Fuerte, Sinaloa. Noted for river floats and kayak trips on the Fuerte River, as well as excursions into the Copper Canyon area. This is where the railroad begins climbing hills as it heads east from Los Mochis. Ecoregion NT 228.

Sierra de la Giganta, Baja California Sur. An Important Bird Area for gray thrasher and Xantus’s hummingbird. A steep mountain range with high levels of endemism. Hiking and horseback riding are recreational activities available. The road to Mission San Francisco Javier de Vigge-Biaundo passes petroglyphs and streams. Ecoregion 1306.

Guaymas Bay, Sonora. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes islands of Almagre Chico, Almagre Grande, La Batea, Blanca, Leon Echado, Pajaros, Pastel, Peruano, La Pitahayosa, San Vicente, Tapon, and Tio Ramon. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marine ecoregion 60.

Huapoca Canyon, Chihuahua. Trails to cliff dwellings in this area include one that is located behind a waterfall. Ecoregion NA 302.

Kino Bay, Sonora. A museum of the Seri people and a visitor center for the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California World Heritage site is located here. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1310 and marine ecoregion 60.

Lechuguilla Bay, Sinaloa. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes Santa Maria Island. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marine ecoregion 60.

Lobos Bay, Sonora. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes islands of Lobos and Los Mogotones (6 islands). Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marine ecoregion 60.

Lopez Mateos Port, Baja California Sur. A narrow channel between the port and Magdalena Island provides good whale-watching. Terrestrial ecoregion 1401 and marine ecoregion 61.

Maderas (woods), Chihuahua. An Important Bird Area for thick-billed parrot. Ecoregion 302.

Mulege, Baja California Sur. The Mulege River and Trinidad Canyon are noted for birdwatching, kayaking, and cave paintings. Ecoregion NA 1306.

Natividad Island, Baja California Sur. An Important Bird Area for seabirds. Terrestrial ecoregion 1301 and marine ecoregion 59.

La Pintada, Sonora. An archaeological site with cave paintings. Ecoregion NA 1310.

Promontorio, Chihuahua. This mineral-rich area on the edge of the Tutuaca Flora and Fauna Protection Area has recently been approved for copper, gold, and silver mining. Ecoregion 302.

Pulpito Point, Baja California Sur. This is a Pleistocene-aged obsidian dome east of Concepcion Bay. The Saquicismundo and Los Volcanes geothermal areas are to the south. Ecoregion NA 1306.

La Purisima and San Isidro Oasis, Baja California Sur. An Important Bird Area. Nearby is the Comondu-La Purisima volcanic field. Both are located west of the Sierra de la Giganta. Ecoregion 1301.

San Carlos Port, Baja California Sur. A whale calving area provides good whale-watching opportunities. Terrestrial ecoregion 1401 and marine ecoregion 61.

San Ignacio Oasis, Baja California Sur. An Important Bird Area. Ecoregion 1301.

San Ildefonso Island, Baja California Sur. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1306 and marine ecoregion 60.

San Jose Canal, Baja California Sur. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes islands of Las Animas, Habana, Islotes (2 islands), La Morena, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Cruz. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1306 and marine ecoregion 60.

San Jose Estuary, Baja California Sur. An Important Bird Area with a trail overlooking a spring-fed marsh. Terrestrial ecoregion NT 1314 and marine ecoregion 60.

San Lorenzo Archipelago National Park. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site. Includes islands of Las Animas, Cardonosa, Partida, Rasa, Salsipuedes, and San Lorenzo. Rasa Island is a Ramsar Site (see above under Ramsar sites), Ecoregion NA 1306.

San Luis Island (Salvatierra) and San Luis Gonzaga Island, Baja California. Part of IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. These are volcanic islands. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1306 and marine ecoregin 60.

San Marcos Canal, Baja California Sur. Part of IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes islands of El Gallo, San Marcos, and Tortuga. Tortuga is an active volcano located in the central part of the Sea of Cortez with a one-km-wide caldera. Terrestrial ecoregion PA 1306 and marine ecoregion 60.

San Pedro Point-Todos Santos Oasis, Baja California Sur. An Important Bird Area. Todos Santos is known for surfing. Terrestrial ecoregion NT 1314 and marine ecoregion 61.

Sistema de Sierras de la Sierra Madre Occidental, Sonora. Three extensions of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains extending southward from Arizona and New Mexico are considered an Important Bird Area for the thick-billed parrot. Other birds are elegant trogon, Mexican spotted owl, whiskered screech owl, violet crowned hummingbird, and sulfur-bellied flycatcher. Ecoregion 302.

Sonoran Desert Islands, Sonora. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. Includes islands in Gulf of California off of Sonora coast, including Alcatraz (Pelicano), Doble, La Foca Rock, La Jama, Patos, La Rasa, San Esteban, San Luis, San Pedro Nolasco, Santa Catarina, Tiburon, Turner’s, and El Venado. Tiburon is owned and managed by the indigenous Seri people, who provide tours of the island. San Pedro Nolasco is an Important Bird Area. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1310 and marine ecoregion 60.

Tobarito Estuary, Sonora. Part of the IPAGC World Heritage Site and IGCFFR. An Important Bird Area. Includes islands of Huivulai and El Tobarito. Terrestrial ecoregion NA 1401 and marine ecoregion 60.

Tutuaca Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Chihuahua and Sonora. This area protects the headwaters of the Yaqui River. Within the boundaries is the Tutuaca Mountain School at Rancho El Nogal, a sustainable farming demonstration area. Ecoregion NA 302.

Valle de los Cirios Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Baja California. This area preserves wild sections of the Pacific Coast, along with desert flora including cardon cacti and boojum trees. The Jaraguay and San Borja volcanic fields contain numerous cinder cones and lava flows. San Borja is a restored mission. . Ecoregions NA 1301, NA 1306, and NA 1310.

XII. References

Agnerian, Hrayr. 2005. Report on the Promontorio Gold-Copper Exploration Propoerty, Mexico. NI-43-101 Report. Roscoe Postle Associates. http://www.diabras.com/pdf/Promontorio_Technical_Report.pdf (accessed June 4, 2011).

Alamos Wildlands Alliance. http://www.alamoswildlands.org/ (accessed May 29, 2011).

Commission for Environmental Conservation. 1999. North American Important Bird Areas. CEC, Montreal. http://www.cec.org/Storage/41/3373_iba-ang_EN.pdf (accessed May 22, 2011).

Alvarez-Castaneda, Sergio Ticul et al. 2006. Development in the Sea of Cortes Calls for Mitigation. BioScience 56:825-829.

Azure Minerals, Inc. 2011. Environmental Approval Received for Promontorio Drilling. News Release, 11 March 2011. http://www.azureminerals.com.au/reports/AzureReceivesEnvironmentalApprovalforPromontorioDrilling.pdf (accessed June 4, 2011).

Felger, Richard and Mary Beck Moser. Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) in the Gulf of California: Discovery of Its Nutritional Value by the Seri Indians. Science 181:355-356.

Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution. http://www.volcano.si.edu/ (accessed June 4, 2011).

Jorgensen, Bo Barker, Mai F. Isaksen, and Holger W. Jannasch. 1992. Bacterial Sulfate Reduction Above 100°C in Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Sediments. Science 258:1756-1757.

Macias-Caballero, Claudia, Ernesto C. Enkerlin-Hoeflich and Miguel Anel Cruz. 2003. Thick-billed Parrots in Mexico. Psitta Scene 15(4) (November 2003). http://www.parrots.org/ (accessed june 4, 2011).

National Commission of Protected Natural Areas. http://www.conanp.gob.mx/ (accessed June 4, 2011)

Nature Conservancy. http://parksinperil.org/wherewework/mexico/protectedarea/ajosbavispe.html (accessed June 4, 2011).

Noble, John et al. 2010. Mexico. Lonely Planet Publications.

Norris, Scott. 2002. A U.S.-Mexican Partnership to Save the Parrots of the Cebadillas. Conservation 3 (Summer 2002).

Olson, David M., et al., 2001. Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World: A New Map of Life on Earth. BioScience 51:933-938.

Pitman, Robert L. 1985. The Marine Birds of Alijos Rocks, Mexico. Western Birds 16:81-92.

Ramsar Site List. http://www.ramsar.wetlands.org/ (accessed February 1, 2011).

Sonora Tourism. http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/ (accessed June 4, 2011).

Spalding, Mark D. and 14 others. 2007. Marine Ecoregions of the World: A Bioregionalization of Coastal and Shelf Areas. Bioscience 57:573-583.

Stokstad, Erik. 2009. The Famine Fighter’s Last Battle. Science 324:710-712.

Tour by Mexico. http://www.tourbymexico.com/ (accessed June 4, 2011).

Tutuaca Mountain School. http://www.tutuaca.org/ (accessed June 4, 2011).

Vidal, R.M. et al. 2009. Mexico. Pp. 269-280 in C. Devenish et al., eds. Important Bird Areas Americas—Priority Sites for Biodiversity Conservation. BirdLife International, Quito, Ecuador (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 16).

Wells, Jeffrey Vance. 2007. Birder’s Conservation Handbook: 100 North American Birds at Risk. Princeton University Press.

UNESCO-Man and the Biosphere Reserves Directory. http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/database.asp (accessed 5/30/11).

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. http://www.whsrn.org/ (accessed 5/30/11)

Wilcox, Bruce A. 1978. Supersaturated Island Faunas: A Species-Age Relationship for Lizards on Post-Pleistocene Land-Bridge Islands. Science 199:996-998.

World Heritage List. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list (accessed 5/22/11).