The number of web sites containing information on the Chihuahuan Desert has proliferated in the past few years. We will be building links and providing a short description of many of these. This is a work in progress, so check back on occasion for new links.
Big Bend Ranch State Park covers some 400 square miles of Chihuahuan Desert west of Big Bend National Park.
Biology of the Rio Grande Border Region: A Bibliography. This is a United State Geological Survey (USGS) site with a huge number of biological citations pertinent to the Rio Grande Border Region (defined as to "include only information that was collected from, or directly pertinent to, the geographic area 100 km north and south of the Rio Grande between Elephant Butte Dam and the Gulf of Mexico." These are mostly research publications, some of which may be tough going for non-biologists, but which form much of our basis for understanding the biology of the region.
CONABIO (LA COMISIÓN NACIONAL PARA EL CONOCIMIENTO Y USO DE LA BIODIVERSIDAD) has a wealth of information on the biology of México.
The Chihuahuan Desert Biosphere Reserve encompasses three Chihuahuan Desert areas: Big Bend, Jornada, and Mapimi. This is a general introduction to the concept of biosphere reserves in the region.
United States Man and the Biosphere Program (U.S. MAB) includes information on the Chihuahuan Desert Biosphere Reserve, along with data on other reserves.
"The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI) is a non-profit scientific and educational organization based near Ft. Davis, Texas. Its purpose is to gather information on the Chihuahuan Desert Region and to make that information available to all who would like to know. Primary interests are biology, geology, anthropology, and archeology. The Institute conducts research, provides scholarships, designs and implements educational activities, promotes the area, and produces films, publications and other media about the Chihuahuan Desert region" (quoted from opening paragraph of the website). There also are a number of web links pertinent to the Chihuahuan Desert.
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park. Environmental education.
Native Plant Society of New Mexico. Includes several chapters in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Past, Recent, and 21st Century Vegetation Change in the Arid Southwest, a USGS site, has a large plant-part (seed, twigs, etc.) identification section, a packrat midden section, and down-loadable files on vegetative distribution and climate. Emphasis is on the Southwest, though all desert regions in the U.S. are included.
A Field Guide to the Flora of New Mexico State University’s Corona Range and Livestock Research Center. A large pdf file.
Barry Simpson's Texas Native Shrubs has around a thousand accounts with photographs and includes a number of Chihuahuan Desert Shrubs.
Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue, Inc., engages in wildlife rehabilitation of injured or orphaned wildlife for return, where possible, to the wild. It serves Far West Texas and south-central New Mexico. The site includes photos of some native (and non-native) animals.
DESERT USA has a large section on the Chihuahuan Desert (as well as other North American deserts) that includes sections on geology and minerals, animals and wildlife, plants and wildflowers, and people and cultures.
The home page of the El Paso/Trans-Trans-Pecos Audubon Society has a wealth of information.
El Camino Real National Historic Trail. The official website for the BLM/NPS (Bureau of Land Management/National Park Service) El Camino Real National Historic Trail. Information on the Camino Real, history, and natural history. Lots of information packaged in an attractive manner.
Franklin Mountains State Park is said to be the largest urban park in the United States at some 37 square miles. The park lies entirely within the city limits of El Paso.
Hueco Tanks State Historical Park lies in the Hueco Mountains east of El Paso.
"Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park is an indoor/outdoor living museum displaying more than 40 native animal species and hundreds of succulent plants from around the world." (quoted from the web page introduction).
Dr. Dean Hendrickson's site on Cuatro Ciénegas is an excellent resource for learning about one of the most fascinating sites within the Chihuahuan Desert. There is material for the general inquisitive visitor and other, more technical information.
New Mexico State University has a general description of the Chihuahuan Desert, including comments on water and desertification.
The Jornada Experimental Range is located in southern New Mexico. The website contains a wealth of information, focusing on long-term agricultural and ecological research in arid rangelands.
The US Forest Service has a general description of the Chihuahuan Desert Province within the US.
COLLECTION, TRADE, AND REGULATION OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT ECOREGION. The executive summary states "The objectives of this report are to: present information gathered on collection, trade, and regulation of the amphibians and reptiles of the CDE; assess the current and potential impacts of collection and trade; evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulations; and make recommendations regarding the steps needed to ensure that collection and trade are sustainable and do not pose a significant threat to CDE reptile and amphibian populations." Large pdf file.
Prickly Trade: Trade and Conservation of Chihuahuan Desert Cacti. Part I. Large pdf file.
Chihuahuan Desert Cacti in Mexico: An Assessment of Trade, Management, and Conservation Priorities. Part II concerning trade of Chihuahuan Desert cacti. A large pdf file.
Sociedad Mexicana de Cactología. "The Society has the following objectives: the study of the succulent plants, mainly the Mexican species, as well as their conservation, propagation and the promotion of their popularity."
Scorpions from the Chihuahuan Desert Region of Mexico and the United States. Great resource, with pictures, distribution information, bibliography, etc.
Malpais Borderlands considers biodiversity in the extreme southeastern Arizona/southwestern New Mexico region.
