The lower San Pedro River: hydrology and flow restoration for biodiversity conservation
This article is part of a larger document. View the larger document here.Abstract
The lower San Pedro River, downstream from Benson, is a nearly unfragmented habitat containing perennial flow reaches that support riparian vegetation that serve as “stepping stones” for migratory species. The Nature Conservancy has purchased farm properties and retired agricultural pumping along the lower river, based largely on results from hydrologic analyses indicating that increased water availability for riparian vegetation will result from retiring agricultural pumping at key locations. A long-term commitment to hydrologic and ecological monitoring provides data that the Conservancy uses to inform property management, guide habitat restoration, and measure success of the agricultural retirement strategy.