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 Hawks Aloft, Inc.
New Mexico
Partners in Flight |
Wetland Introduction
There are about 3,500 miles of streams in New Mexico (Ong et al. 1993). Dahl (1990)
estimates that from the 1780’s to the 1980’s New Mexico’s wetlands have
decreased by 33 percent, from 720,000 to 482,000 acres. Most of this occurs along streams
and rivers due to loss of native vegetation, changes in streamflow, reservoir
construction, and other water diversions. In rural areas this can be attributed to
conversion to cropland, diversions, and overgrazing. In urban areas the decrease is due to
encroachment of residential and commercial construction, water damming or diversion for
residential and commercial use, and channelization. Other impacts are clear cutting,
burning, and hard-rock mining. These include toxic, acidic or alkaline runoff. Creation of
stock ponds and siltation at upper ends of reservoirs offset some, but not all loss.
Additionally, the loss of native vegetation along streams alters riparian-wetland
functions and allows the proliferation of nonnative vegetation. (Howe and Knopf 1991)
Arroyo/Dry Wash
This habitat is considered a riparian area by NM PIF. Because arroyos and dry washes
contain the characteristics of the surrounding vegetation rather than unique vegetation,
they are considered a sub-category within Chihuahuan Desert Shrub, Plains-Mesa Sand Shrub,
Great Basin Desert Shrub, and Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands.
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Hawks
Aloft, Inc.