Desert Ecology

Synthesizing Habitat Management and Restoration Actions for Conserving an Iconic Reptile, the Desert Tortoise

The desert tortoise is a reptile federally listed as threatened in the Mojave and western Sonoran Desert of the southwestern United States. With funding from the Desert Tortoise Council and Clark County (Nevada) Desert Conservation Program, Natural Resource Conservation LLC developed two syntheses (in 2016 and 2023) of published literature and restoration techniques aimed at improving habitat conditions for the desert tortoise, associated species, and the broader desert habitat. For example, the synthesis included techniques for enhancing soil stability to reduce dust generation and improving the quality and quantity of forage plants favored by desert tortoises. Products produced by Natural Resource Conservation LLC included synthesis documents (see below), public presentations, and a series of fact sheets.

Abella, S.R., and K.H. Berry. 2016. Enhancing and restoring habitat for the desert tortoise. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 7:255-279.

Abella, S.R., K.H. Berry, and S. Ferrazzano. 2023. Techniques for restoring damaged Mojave and western Sonoran habitats, including those for threatened desert tortoises and Joshua trees. Desert Plants 38:4-52.

Restoration Planning in the Arabian Desert of Kuwait

Kuwait continues dealing with loss of native plants and wildlife, soil erosion, and land degradation from previous military operations and other sources of degradation. In this collaborative project supported by the United Nations with the Kuwait Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Natural Resource Conservation LLC has worked with resource planners and managers in Kuwait to develop two restoration plans. The restoration plans are focused on ecological reserves recently established throughout Kuwait. The plans include detailed information on ecological monitoring protocols and restoration prescriptions, such as for seeding and outplanting greenhouse-grown seedlings to restore desert plants and stabilize soils.

Example of adaptive management trial seeking to evaluate species performance and irrigation for restoring native desert plants in Kuwait.

Valuation of Saguaro Cacti and Costs of Restoration Options in Saguaro National Park

Through a sub-contract with Industrial Economics, Inc., under contract with the National Park Service, Natural Resource Conservation LLC assisted with ecological components in developing an economic model. This model assessed the value of saguaro cactus and costs of a range of restoration scenarios in the event that saguaro are damaged or destroyed. We assembled a range of information such as estimated costs of directly replacing saguaros (which is not necessarily always feasible), re-planting or seeding saguaros, or substitute habitat enhancement actions such as treating the non-native plant buffelgrass that can compete with saguaros. Models were developed for Saguaro National Park near Tucson, Arizona, conserving one of the prime habitats for saguaros in the United States.