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<br />A.S. Biology <br />The Sonorun Desert environment, due to its harsh conditions, limits the <br />habitation potential of both plants and animals in the project area.. The species which <br />inhabit the greater portion of the region, away from the water channels, must be able <br />to withstand extensive periods of drought and extreme ranges of temperature. Animals <br />which cannot adapt to such conditions within a specific locale of the area lead a nomadic <br />lifestyle in order to fulfill their needs. A number of plants, including agricultural products, <br />and animals which live in or around the waterways are totally dependent on that water <br />for their existence. The fish of the area. although having access to an extensive number <br />of waterways as a result of the irrigation projects, are limited in number due to the relatively <br />narrow and shallow dimensions of those waterways. Indigenous southern Sonoran Desert <br />vegetation is characteristic of a large part of the project area. This growth is <br />typically sparse and consists basically of creosote bush, mesquite, catclaw. big saltbush. <br />spring aster, alkali heliotrope, cholla, barrel cactus. ironwood, paloverde, and ocotillo. <br />Creosote bush is the dominant vegetal type, with some bursage growing in open stands <br />with little or no perennial ground cover. Numerous annual forbs a~d grasses may occur <br />during periods of favorable moisture. Characteristic species of riparian vegetation. that <br />vegetation which grows along the waterways, lakes. and marshes of the area, include <br />salt cedar, arrowweed. mesquite. cottonwood, catclaw. seepwillow. Gooding willow. <br />Bermuda grass. saltgrass, cattail, bulrush, giant reed, and common reed. <br />Environmental inventories indicate there are 18 fish species known to inhabit <br />the waterways of the project area. Some of the more common varieties include the threadfin <br />shad, red shiner, carp, yellow buJlhead, channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass, tilapia. <br />mosquitofish, and mollies. Studies indicate that 13 additional species may occur in the <br />waters of the lower Colorado River, hut their presence would be rare. <br />There are several hundred species of animals which inhabit the project area. <br />either on a permanent basis or during seasonal migrations. The two largest species are <br />the mule deer and the desert bighorn sheep; feral burros are also known to exist in the <br />area, most commonly in riparian communities. Carnivores include the coyote, grey fox. <br />kit fox, striped skunk, ringtail cat, and raCC0011. Beaver and muskrat are round along <br /> <br />19 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br />