Expanding urbanization into undisturbed Sonoran Desert vegetation has led to public concern over the removal and destruction of large saguaro cacti (Carnegia gigantea). Development mitigation plans were established requiring transplantation, salvage and replacement of saguaros in certain development sites. However, no research has assessed whether native birds use transplanted saguaros at the same rate as non-transplanted cacti. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of saguaro transplantation on nest use. In Tucson, Arizona, 87 transplanted and 28 non-transplanted saguaros on a developed site and 26 non-transplanted saguaros on an undisturbed site were selected for observation of bird nesting activity during the breeding seasons of 1997 and 1998. Birds showed a preference for saguaros, transplanted or non-transplanted, which were surrounded by native vegetation and in areas with low human activity. I suggest that guidelines be revised for development mitigation standards and saguaro transplanting.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/278725 |
| Date | January 2000 |
| Creators | Morales, Susana Maria |
| Contributors | Halvorson, William L. |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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