| On the left side of the two dioramas is a water seep, spring
or wetland that would normally have lush grass, or cattails and
bulrushes. These wetland plants are also ice cream plants to
cattle. With the
arrival of cattle in the 1870s such vegetation at these springs
and wetland seeps was rapidly and systematically obliterated.
Ranchers erected small dams, stock tank impoundments, or
windmills at these areas. Such areas are now deathtraps for wildlife
that approach these defoliated, cattle-blasted moonscapes. Without
the protective cover of vegetation, wildlife fear approaching, and
if they do they become easy prey from predators, or from diseases
from cattle-polluted water. Birds, mammals, amphibians, and other
reptiles, dependent on these vital watering spots in the desert,
have suffered greatly
Many destructive species of exotic grasses introduced by the
government for the cattle industry have replaced our native grasses
and vegetation. Some
introduced grasses burn hotter than the native grasses.
The intense heat from these fires can kill our unique saguaro
forests. Other introduced grasses have shallow root systems,
frustrating groundwater recharge and increasing storm run-off.
This results in more soil erosion and frequent washouts of
the cottonwood/willow galleries during desert cloudbursts and
monsoon storms.
Audubon members should make a game or puzzle out of trying
to find out why and how cattle grazing harms (or helps) each of the
various species listed in the graphic. The Maricopa Audubon Society
will hold workshops on grazing-watch our Cactus
Wren*dition newsletter for dates.
MAS will make poster enlargements of these compelling
dioramas of Karen Klitz so we Audubon volunteers can explain it to
Arizonans at public display events.
The Maricopa Audubon Society, besides extending its deep
appreciation and thanks to Karen Klitz, also wishes to thank Dr.
Martin Taylor of the Center For Biodiversity, and Dr. Robert Ohmart
of Arizona State University, for their assistance and guidance in
this project.
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