Saguaro National Park - Research Paper Example

Introduction Arizona is considered a natural ‘amusement park’ in America. Every corner of the is full of fun and adventure – there are dude ranches, museums and wildlife parks, lakes, an attractive selection of Old West towns, mines, zoos, among other attractions (Arizonaguide.com, 1). The Northern part of the State’s claim to fame is that of the Grand Canyon, the most recognizable Wonder of the World; the White Mountains’ sprawling ranges are peppered with vast stands of Ponderosa Pines, historic Western towns, and ski resorts. Additionally, Monument Valley, which stirs up awe in anyone who crosses it, has appeared in several films; and boating enthusiasts from different parts of the State frequent Arizona’s Lake Powell (Joyce, 2). Moreover, of great significance is Saguaro National Park, formerly Saguaro National Monument, which is the focus of this paper. History of Saguaro National Park Saguaro National Parkis made of 91,327 acres and is made up of two separate sections namely the Rincon Mountain District (Saguaro East) and the Tucson Mountain District (Saguaro West) (Shannontech.com, 1). The significance of this national park lies in the rich Sonoran Desert’s diversity life found within a framework of prehistoric and historic human occupation (Colostate.edu, 13). Historically, Saguaro has evidently had human habitation for as long as twelve thousand years ago. During that time, the region was much wetter as opposed to the way it presently is. It supported habitation by such animals as the bison, mammoth, among other mammals. The Hohokam people settled in Saguaro roughly 2300 years ago and they had learned to carry out agriculture by 700 AD. For many centuries, these people thrived in the Santa Cruz Valley (where Tucson is presently situated) but in the fifteenth century, they vanished (Shannontech.com, 3). Saguaro national park became a national monument in the year 1933 following a presidential proclamation by Herbert Hoover. It became the first monument reserved to protect a plant species. In 1959, there was need for extra effort to prevent people from exploring the opening part of the park's area for copper. Towards the end of the year 1961, President Kennedy signed a bill that expanded the monument by adding Tucson Mountain district’s 15,360 acres to the monument. Later, twenty-one thousand more acres were added to this district. In October 1994, following a bill signed by President Bill Clinton, Saguaro National Park was established as the United States’ 52nd national park (Shannontech.com, 6 & Uhler, 1). Plants Although Saguaro National Park is situated within a desert, there is a profusion of life. The park has magnificent examples of Sonoran Desert ecosystem that include various desert plants, as well as the renowned saguaro cactus, an American Southwest symbol (Shannontech.com, 1). Braun explains that plants found in this park vary from desert vegetation such as cacti, creosote and ocotillo in the lower elevations to Douglas-fir oak, and ponderosa pine in Rincon Mountains’ upper elevations (10). Plants that grow in Saguaro National Park are adapted to drought in such a way that they go dormant to conserve their water in periods of long dry seasons. Many plants seem lifeless during these periods but they are capable of coming to life budding new green leaves soon after a rainfall. For instance, a plant called ocotillo transforms from what was seemingly a handful of lifeless sticks into a sunny shrub with its branches tall and green within only forty-eight hours following a rainfall (Nps.gov, 1). Uhler explains that the saguaro cactus has been portrayed as the king of the Sonoran Desert, as a plant with personality, as the supreme symbol of the American Southwest, and as a prickly horror. It is famous for the variety of odd, with the shapes that it assumes inspiring fanciful and wild imaginings and some assuming all too human shapes. At times, giant saguaro cacti attain a height of 50 feet. These plants are unique to the Sonoran Desert. The cactus forest covers the valley floor and rises into the West Tucson and Rincon mountains (2). Other than the saguaro, the Sonora Desert is a home to over fifty types of cacti, including teddybear cholla, staghorn cholla, Engelman’s prickly pear cactus, desert marigold, Palo verde, barrel cactus, fishhook cactus, creosote bush, hedgehog cactus, mesquite tree, chainfruit/jumping cholla cactus, ocotillo, among others (Saguaro.national-park.com, 21 & Nps.gov, 1). Flower and annual blooming seasons The flowering season depends on an intricate set of environmental factors including extreme exposure, temperature, precipitation, elevation and soil. Combinations of these factors lead to blooming at different locations and times. During spring, desert annual wildflowers are at their best although they may bloom during other times during the year. During winters, rainfalls are regularly plentiful producing magnificent displays that may come about once a decade only. Generally, this spectacular flowering shows around the close of March to the start of April. Many desert areas are usually covered with flowers of all colors during these periods. Blooming of mountain wildflowers, which occur in a great array of colors as well, takes place later in the year due to cooler temperatures. In general, compared to those on the desert floor, wildflowers at higher elevations bloom four to eight weeks later. Deep facing canyons flower last while flowers on the mountain ridges with southern exposures bloom first. It is important to note that not every desert plant needs such particular environmental conditions to facilitate blooming. Many plants, for example some perennials, cacti and flowering trees have developed unique adaptations that permit them to flower at the same time every year, not considering the quantity of winter rainfall. A good example is that of the mesquite tree, whose deep root system spreads to groundwater. While some plants can amass water for use during dry spells, others die, and their seeds have to wait for favorable conditions (Saguaro.national-park.com, 11-14). Animals Nps.gov records that there are various unusual animals Saguaro National Park, some of which survive in southern Arizona. Kangaroo rats, horned lizards, collared peccaries, Gila monsters and roadrunners are a common sight. Although Saguaro National Park is located on the edge of the Sonoran Desert, the Rincon Mountain District’s Mica Mountain is greater than 8600’ in height, an altitude that allows for cooler temperatures and pine trees, and mammals for instance white-tailed deer and black bears. Species such as coati, which are more commonly associated with the tropics also grow in the park.  Additionally, aquatic mud turtles and leopard frogs thrive in precious, often concealed desert waters.  Birds Arizona is a bird watcher’s heaven and Saguaro National Park contains many birds species for instance whiskered screech owls and vermilion flycatchers that are not common in other places in the US. The park’s diverse ecosystems, which range from pine forests to lowland desert, support an amazing collection of bird life.  Examples of birds common in the desert include Gambel’s quail, greater roadrunners, and Gila woodpeckers.  In the higher elevations of the park, there exist Mexican jays, Northern goshawks, and yellow-eyed juncos. Other birds in Saguaro National Park include curve-billed thrasher, elf owl, american kestrel, phainopeplas elf owls, screech owls, purple martins, lucy's warblers, common raven, cactus wren, roadrunner, gambel's quail, pyrrhuloxia, harris's hawk, gila woodpecker, phainopepla,white-winged dove, verdin, Anna's Hummingbird and Western kingbirds (Nps.gov, 2 & Saguaro.national-park.com, 22). Some of these birds including glided flicker and Gila woodpecker live in nest holes that they make in the trunk as well as saguaros’ larger branches. Every spring, they dig up new holes and discard a number of cavities in one nesting season prior to settling in one and bringing up a family. Their diligence leaves many holes, which become homes for many other animals and birds (Saguaro.national-park.com, 22). Mammals Also present in Saguaro National Park are mammalian species. Bats, the only mammals that fly, are numerous all over the park, as well as javelin, Mountain Lions and bobcats. Other mammals found in Saguaro National Park include mustelids (skunks and badgers), black bear, chipmunks and squirrels, desert dogs (foxes and coyote), raccoons, ringtails and coati, rabbits, insectivorous bats, and nectarivorous bats (Nps.gov, 1). Reptiles Saguaro National Park is also home to some of the most charismatic reptiles in America. These include the venomous Gila monster and western diamond-backed rattlesnake, the desert turtles and tortoises, Lizards, Western coral snakes, among other species of rattlesnakes. Many snakes are either nocturnal or while desert tortoises are crepuscular (most active either at dusk or early morning). Reptiles are most common during and after July and August summer monsoon rains.   Amphibians and Reptiles are rarely seen from November to March, but they are infrequently active during this time (Nps.gov, 1). Hiking Trails The two districts of Saguaro National Park present more than 165 miles of hiking trails. A hike at Saguaro National Park can be a daylong wilderness trek or a stroll on a short interpretive nature trail. Saguaro National Park’s districts provide a variety of hiking trails (Nps.gov, 1). Weather Although first-time visitors Saguaro National Park often imagine the desert to be inexorably hot, the weather at this Park is essentially quite variable. Saguaro experiences a full range of climates – from blossoming cacti-inhabited deserts to high snowy mountaintops. Bountiful wildernesses are present to gratify the most ardent outdoorsmen, while those yearning city life’s entertainment and bustle will find in Arizona all that they ever wanted (Joyce, 1). In most cases, summer daytime temperatures soar above 100 degrees while nights can be as much as twenty degrees cooler. In winter, temperatures sink well below freezing and snow is common, particularly at the higher elevations (Dailykos.com, 4). From October to April, daytime temperatures range from 60 to 70 degrees. This is the best visiting time. Furthermore, climate varies considerably by elevation, and they tend to become wetter and cooler as one climbs higher. For example, by climbing up the Rincon Mountains, one goes through several distinctive plant communities, rising from the saguaro forest-inhabited low desert scrub to the mid-range pine and oak woodland. Douglas fir and ponderosa pine stands similar to the northern US forests can be seen at the highest elevations (HowStuffWorks.com, 6-8). Laws to protect Saguaro cactus The saguaro cacti, the iconic species in Saguaro National Park, face severe threats from buffelgrass invasion. Buffelgrass is a perennial bunchgrass from Africa that has spread rapidly across southern Arizona threatening the ecosystem, wildlife as well as plants of the Sonoran Desert. It competes with native plants for resources, promotes fire, and forms dense stands that inhibit the growth of native plant (Nps.gov, 2). People also act as threats to this species by collecting them for use as well as destroying them. Consequently, there are laws that protect the saguaro cactus in the State of Arizona, meaning that one cannot just go out into the desert, dig up a saguaro cactus, and plant it in his/her yard. Additionally, Arizona’s state law prohibits harming a saguaro in any way, including cactus plugging, and when people are building highways or houses, they must obtain special permits to destroy or move any saguaro affected. In Arizona, the Arizona Native Plant Law specifically protects all Fouquieriaceae, Cactaceae, and Crassulaceae (Hyrycz.com, 1 & Oldfield, 87). Conclusion Apparently, in variety of life and lushness, the Sonoran Desert surpasses all other deserts in North America by far and yet, it is paradoxically one of the driest and hottest regions in the continent. The animals as well as plants in Saguaro National Park are able to survive in this harsh environment. They have special adaptations designed to help them survive in the desert. This park constitutes the most unusual and fascinating life collections in the US. It is also a great place for hiking and generally exploring the desert. Its fascinating features including animals, plants, among others have provided an irresistible attraction to numerous tourists both from Arizona as well as far beyond, giving them a magnificent impression. Works Cited Arizonaguide.com. Family Attractions. 2011. Web. Braun, David. 2010. Arizona’s Saguaro National Park to host BioBlitz. 2011. Web. Colostate.edu. Saguaro National Park Fire Management Plan. 2007. Web. Dailykos.com. Saguaro National Park . 2011. Web. Howstuffworks.com. Saguaro National Park. 2011. Web. Hyrycz.com. Saguaro National Park-East. 2009. Web. Joyce, Tiffany. The Very Best of Arizona. 2011. Web. Nps.gov. Saguaro National Park, Arizona: Nature & Science. 2007. Web. Oldfield, Sara. Cactus and succulent plants: status survey and conservation action plan. Rue Mauverney, Switzerland: IUCN Publishing. 1997. Print. Saguaro.national-park.com. Saguaro National Park Information Page. 2011. Web. Shannontech.com. Saguaro National Park. 2011. Web. Uhler, John W. 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