CO 

 CO 



ARIZONA 



General description: Only four areas that might be considered as wetlands have 

 been reported from this arid state: three of them cienegas (Arivaca, 

 Babocomari, and Canelo Hills) and one a riparian site along Sonoita Creek. 



Status of the wetlands: In arid country the pressure on water resources is severe. 

 Wetlands suffer from drainage, dropping water tables, grazing, erosion, and pol- 

 lution. 



Sources of data: Personnel of the Arizona Fish and Game Department and 

 university biologists have reported these areas. 



Recommendations: Two areas are now being preserved by The Nature Con- 

 servancy: the Canelo Hills Cienega and the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Sanctua- 

 ry. Both of these should qualify as Natural Landmarks. They are unique, the 

 former especially for its rare flora, the latter for its aquatic fauna and birds. The 

 Arivaca and Babocomari cienegas would also be worthy of landmark status, 

 contingent upon a permanent commitment on the part of the present owners. 

 Sycamore Canyon in Santa Cruz County appears to be an outstanding botanical 

 area, but does not qualify as a wetland. It has therefore not been included in this 

 study. 



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Wetlands reported for Arizona 



AZ I. Arivaca Cienega 



AZ 2, Babocomari Cienega 



AZ 3. Canelo Hills Cienega 



AZ 4. Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Sanctuary 



