Xero-riparian is low-elevation southwest regional vegetation community. It is very productive and important for wildlife. There are few perennial streams in our region, but there are innumerable dry washes, which can carry a lot of runoff during storms, and can have ground water accessible to mesquite and other long-rooted trees. Any additional water, along with better associated bottomland soil, are enough to create this community.
This area once had good bottomland soil supporting mesquite bosques as well as fields of sacaton grass. It has been decimated by cattle grazing. Much of the soil has (and continues to) blow away in the wind and wash away during the rainy season.
The Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife hereby formally petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (also “Service”) to list one of the following entities of cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl: 1) the Arizona distinct population segment (“DPS”) of the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl; 2) the Sonoran Desert DPS of the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl; or 3) the western subspecies of cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (G.
