Research and Conservation in Southern Sonora, Mexico

Tropical Riparian Gallery

 


Riparian vegetation in the tropics is nearly or completely evergreen., while in this March scene the surrounding tropical deciduous forest will be leafless until the rains come in July. Río Cuchujaqui at the Güirocoba crossing. Photo: T.R. Van Devender

Willows and a tepeguaje (Lysiloma watsonii), light green) have foliage in March on the Río Guajaray, Sonora. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Sabinos/Mexican bald cypress (Taxodium distichum mexicanum) and spider lilies (Hymenocallis sonorensis) on the Río Cuchujaqui, Sonora. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Sabino grove at El Cajón on the Río Cuchujaqui, Sonora. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Sabinos on the Río Cuchujaqui above Sabinito Sur, Sonora. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Xeric tropical deciduous forest vegetation grows just beyond the high water zone of the Río Cuchujaqui, Sonora. Photo: Mark Dimmitt



Above 4 images: A tributary of the Río Cuchujaqui near Alamos, Sonora. Beneath the dense canopies of the large fig trees the microenvironment is cooler and more humid than on the drier, more open slopes. Photos: Mark Dimmitt

Canyon on the Río Cuchujaqui northeast of Alamos, Sonora. It's September, the rainy season is ending, and some forest trees are turning yellow. Photo: T.R. Van Devender

Ground view of scene at left. The steep, narrow canyon is subject to frequent scouring by floods, so there are few large riparian trees here. Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Above and right: Two views of a canyon on the Río Cuchujaqui northeast of Alamos, Sonora. Photo: T.R. Van Devender

Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Above two images: Perched water tables can support riparian vegetation on steep slopes. Sierra de Alamos from Rancho San José, Sonora. The brown zone in the left image is oak woodland with tropical deciduous forest below it. Photos: Mark Dimmitt

An old suspension bridge over the Río Maycoba at the MEX 16 crossing, Sonora. Photo: G.M. Ferguson

Río Yaqui near Tónichi, Sonora flowing through Foothills Thornscrub with organ pipe cactus/pitahaya (Stenocereus thurberi) and tree ocotillo (Fouquieria macdougali)i. Photo: T.R. Van Devender

 

 

 


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