Sonoran Desert Research Station
The SDRS in Tucson, AZ, as the name suggests, is deeply involved with research in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem of southern Arizona and northern Mexico. Researchers currently work on such issues as protection and restoration of threatened native amphibians and reptiles, protection of neotropical migratory birds, avian disease threats to native birds, vegetation ecology, and restoration ecology studies on impacted arid lands, and other issues.
The SDRS is located at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, collaborates with the Advanced Resources Technology Laboratory in the School of Renewable Natural Resources (SRNR) to gather, manage, and provide natural resource data to land managers throughout the desert region. The station also maintains a node on the Federal Geographic Data Committee's Geographic Data Clearinghouse.
Lead scientists and staff at the SDRS conduct research on issues related to the ecology and management of desert resources. In doing so, the station provides technical assistance to the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Department of Defense on issues related to the development and implementation of plans to manage desert lands and their resources.
Focus of Research
- Plant and animal effects in land management units of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts.
- Assistance to land managers on natural resource monitoring programs.
- Effects of and developing techniques for the removal of alien species such as buffelgrass and bullfrogs.
- Effects of fire in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts.
- Contact Information:
- Leader: Dr. Charles van Riper III
Email: charles_van_riper@usgs.gov
Phone: 520.626.7027
Fax: 520.521.5100
- Address:
- U.S. Geological Survey,
Sonoran Desert Research Station
125 Biological Sciences East
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
- Visitor Information:
- Official City of Tucson site: General City Information
