Chihuahuan Desert

An introduction to the mystical North American Desert

  • The Chihuahuan Desert spans over 200,000 miles and stretches across the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas
  • While also spanning across 6 different Mexico states, the desert lies between Mexico’s two biggest mountain ranges, Eastern/Western Sierra Madre
  • With minimum elevation lying at 1,000 feet, elevation tends to range between 3,500 and 5,000 feet in the Desert

The Chihuahuan Desert is consistent in its overall climate despite the span over various states, this consists of the overall weather/temperatures, precipitation and overall texture of the ecosystem

With the desert tending to have hot summers and cool yet dry winters, the annual precipitation of the desert falls between 6-20 inches. With this precipitation falling in the monsoon seasons of the summer, the rest of the months stay in a period of little to no precipitation.

Topography of the desert is a desert valley with basins surrounded by terraces, mesas and mountainous ranges. Due to the monsoon times of the rain, the rainwater tends to drain into closed basins which form structures like playas. Additionally, dune fields, large mountainous shaped systems of sand which are prominent in deserts like the Sahara as well.

1

Chihuahuan Desert, El Paso, TX

Although the climate is relatively consistent throughout the year and the region for the Chihuahuan Desert, the differing aspects lie in the temperature and is crucial to understanding the diversity of the ecosystem.

Temperatures in the El Paso region of the Chihuahuan Desert range around 50F to 60F annually where the climate is arid, while spring and summers are on the extreme sides of dry.

2

Chihuahuan Desert, New Mexico

Although similar in overall climate to El Paso, New Mexico differs in temperatures which impacts the various conditions brought by the desert and its overall living conditions

Elevations are of utmost importance in New Mexico, where temperatures can be a direct correlation to the elevation of the desert. Elevations below 5,000 feet can exceed temperatures of 100F, where the temperatures begin decreasing to 70F at the highest elevations

Examples of animals native to the Chihuahuan Desert

Chihuahuan Desert

One of the most diverse biomes to exist in the world, the Chihuahuan Desert contains one of the highest level of endemic species (animals that are only native to a specific region) in the world. Plants grow in abundance with high growth in arid/sandy type soil. Additionally, many (around 400) types of cacti along with yucca and agave grow in the upper most areas of the desert.

The wide diversity of the desert can be seen throughout the region. With over 120+ species of mammals and 300+ species of birds. Animals include: Mexican wolves, Mule Deer and kit foxes.

The Chihuahuan Desert is known to have harsh conditions throughout the year which makes it easy to assume that there won't be as much biodiversity. However, these extremes don't have much of an impact at all with having a wide variety of species ranging from cacti to animals that roam the biome and thrive in the extreme conditions.

The desert also continues to inhabit various species that are endemic and strictly found in the region of the Chihuahuan Desert and nowhere else in the world. However, this unique of a biodiversity is soon starting to die...

Despite the beauty of the desert and its importance to many inhabitants and the region as a whole, it continues to face obstacles that may cause a hindrance to the future of the desert as a whole...

Birds use the desert as a form of a wintering ground. Where they will spend the majority of their winters in order to escape the unbearable cold. However, the continuous rate at which resources are depleting from the desert, start to leave even birds with no choice but to struggle to survive.

Species such as Mountain Plovers, Baird's Sparrows, Ferruginous Hawks and more are endemic to the desert. Their nativity and inhabitance to the specific region increases their dependence on the biome's resources as a whole.

Due to the already existent scarce resources of the desert in relation to the water supply, conditions continue to worsen throughout the years as resources deplete at an exponentially regressive rate. Through springs, aquifers, streams and rivers, the use of these resources for human development ends up impacting the animals that depend on that water to survive in the specific region.

Their limitations that hold them back from adaptation to other biomes hold them extremely dependent on only the resources of the desert and once stripped away, can begin to take the lives of the inhabitants there themselves.

However, these threats continue to severely test the survival of the species and continues to hurt the outcome for the future of these organisms in the desert..

Additional threats to the Chihuahuan Desert include: urbanization of the US-Mexico Border, Agricultural advancements and land expansion, resource overuse in coastal areas of the desert, and overall pollution of both water and air

Along with these factors, species tend to be more susceptible to extinction due to the endangerment of both their habitats and resources being at an all time high. With invasive and non-invasive species such as bullfrogs and the Mediterranean gecko are huge harms to amphibians and reptiles. Either by direct consumption or by affecting the food chains surrounding these organisms and eventually the animals themselves.


Despite the concerns regarding biodiversity extinction, organizations are taking active efforts in helping the desert to become better as a whole.

As human activities like the ones mentioned above continue to be a concern for many ecosystems and biomes as a whole, including the Chihuahuan Desert. However, numerous organizations around the world have various call to actions and programs implemented in aiming to achieve the utmost preservation of the current biodiversity of the desert and prevent any harms in the future from human activity.

The Nature Conservancy - based in Houston, Texas - has several preserves that are aimed at maintaining the biodiversity and overall health of specific environmental areas in pristine condition. Primarily the preserve targeted at the Chihuahuan Desert, The Dolan Falls Preserve with over 4,000+ acres of land coverage, it protects the convergence of the Edwards Plateau, Chihuahuan Desert, and Rio Grande.

One Earth recommends a couple of calls to action in order to implore various audiences and organizations to follow up with efforts on the conservation of the Desert which include:

  • Expansion of the network for protected areas and continued to dissuade the urban development and any human occupations to decrease any further population growth in the area
  • Ban the use of off-road vehicles to limit disturbance to soil and the ground overall for inhabitants of the deserts
  • Minimizing the spread of invasive species and practicing active efforts in prevention for further infection to the Desert

Finally, World Wild Life has an active program going on at the moment where they actively work with the Tarahumara people in a various of ways:

  • active efforts in reducing soil erosion in the overall desert
  • increasing water availability and treatment facilities for native species and local tribes
  • Continuing to reintroduce native plants back to the ecosystem to better the overall quality of the Desert

These efforts are crucial to actively restoring the Chihuahuan Desert. The Desert is a habitat for many species and it continues to serve as one to this day. However, with external factors bringing instability to the desert and concerns for the lives of these species with the loss of their habitats, active efforts bring back the hope that was once lost for ecosystems like the Chihuahuan Desert.

Additionally, the ability for these efforts to succeed are just as important as the planning. The success of preservation methods in the Chihuahuan Desert varies but often depends on collaborative efforts, community engagement, and ongoing monitoring. Positive outcomes are seen when there's effective implementation of sustainable practices, habitat restoration projects yield desired results, and water conservation measures prove effective in maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Long-term success requires continued commitment and adaptability to evolving environmental challenges. These methods have been unsuccessful when simply used in awareness efforts rather than actionable steps.

With that being said, the ability for these organizations to go forward and take action is what is crucial for the Desert to see any success and is what will truly restore the ecosystem back to its pristine conditions.

Along with the work of the organizations, the role of the government plays just as much of a crucial role as compared to any other entity in efforts of preserving the Desert.

Overall, government involvement has been minimal as these regions contain limited economic activity or growth. Attention is shifted to other areas with greater human populations. However, governments have contributed to Chihuahuan Desert preservation through protected areas, conservation policies, and collaborative efforts with stakeholders. Establishing national parks and reserves helps safeguard biodiversity, while regulations and land-use planning aim to mitigate human impact. Governments also support research, education, and sustainable development initiatives to balance environmental protection with societal needs in the region. Ongoing cooperation between governments and local communities is crucial for effective desert preservation.

Citations

“Biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park's Journal · iNaturalist.” iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/biodiversity-of-the-chihuahuan-desert-nature-park/journal. Accessed 5 February 2024.

“Chihuahuan Desert.” DesertUSA, https://www.desertusa.com/chihuahuan-desert.html. Accessed 5 February 2024.

“Chihuahuan Desert | desert, North America.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Chihuahuan-Desert. Accessed 5 February 2024.

“The Chihuahuan Desert in Texas.” The Nature Conservancy, https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/texas-deserts-sheet.pdf. Accessed 5 February 2024.

“Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail (U.S.” National Park Service, 3 April 2021, https://www.nps.gov/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-trail.htm. Accessed 5 February 2024.

“Chihuahuan Desert | Places | WWF.” World Wildlife Fund, https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/chihuahuan-desert. Accessed 5 February 2024.

“Climate and Weather.” Chihuahuan Desert, http://chihuahuandesert.weebly.com/climate-and-weather.html. Accessed 5 February 2024.

“Climate in New Mexico.” New Mexico Weather, https://weather.nmsu.edu/climate/about/. Accessed 5 February 2024.

Dodd, Carly. “Chihuahuan Desert - WorldAtlas.” World Atlas, 30 December 2022, https://www.worldatlas.com/deserts/chihuahuan-desert.html. Accessed 5 February 2024.

Noss, Reed. “Chihuahuan Desert.” One Earth, https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/chihuahuan-desert/. Accessed 5 February 2024.

“321 Chihuahuan Desert Province.” USDA Forest Service, https://www.fs.usda.gov/land/ecosysmgmt/colorimagemap/images/321.html. Accessed 5 February 2024.

“Visit the Chihuahuan Desert.” The Nature Conservancy, https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/chihuahuan-desert/. Accessed 5 February 2024.

Chihuahuan Desert