The Lower Gila River Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) (Figure 36) encompasses 44,248 ha (109,339 ac), split between the Arizona-New Mexico Mountains and Chihuahuan Desert ecoregions. The largest portion of the COA is privately-owned (45%), with substantial amounts managed by BLM (23%) and USFS (22%). It contains three Important Bird Areas (Gila Bird Area, Gila-Cliff Area, Lower Gila Box) and one TNC refuge (Gila River Complex), but only 9% of its lands are protected. Landcover includes nine native vegetation habitats plus open water and agricultural lands. Almost half of the COA is covered by Madrean Lowland Evergreen Woodland (48%) with another third covered by Chihuahuan Desert Scrub (29%). Perennial aquatic habitats include 261 km (162 mi) of warm water streams and 25 ha (62 ac) of warm water reservoirs.
Habitats
Habitat Name | Habitat Size in Hectares |
---|---|
Chihuahuan Desert Scrub | 12757.86 |
Chihuahuan Semi-Desert Grassland | 2930.85 |
Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation | 53.01 |
Herbaceous Agricultural Vegetation | 1278.54 |
Madrean Lowland Evergreen Woodland | 21242.61 |
Madrean Montane Forest & Woodland | 280.89 |
Open Water | 21.06 |
Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Forest | 64.8 |
Southwest Riparian Forest | 1078.56 |
Warm Interior Chaparral | 4374.63 |
Warm-Desert Arroyo Riparian Scrub | 62.01 |