Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion in the US

Feb 24, 2017 (Last modified Feb 28, 2024)
Created by David Cristiani
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Description
The approximate limits of the Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion, where it occurs in the United States. It is based on:
1) continental / oceanic influences
2) aridity, late summer precip season / cool season to spring drought
3) temperature, coldest monthly mean >32F, growing season >175 days, at least 50 days >90F
4) desert grassland and desert scrub, indicator plants where the core of their range are in the Chihuahuan Desert include:
  • Chilopsis linearis
  • Prosopis torreyana
  • Prosopis pubescens
  • Yucca elata
  • Yucca torreyi
  • Aloysia wrightii
  • Flourensia cernua
  • Larrea tridentata (diploid only)
  • Parthenium incanum
  • Psorothamnus scoparius
  • Rhus microphylla
  • Agave lechuguilla
  • Dasylirion leiophyllum
  • Dasylirion wheeleri
  • Echinocereus dasyacanthus var. dasyacanthus
  • Echinocereus stramineus
  • Ferocactus wislizeni
  • Opuntia macrocentra
  • Bouteloua eriopoda
  • Muhlenbergia porteri
  • Sporobulus wrightii
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Credits
David Cristiani
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Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
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Tags
usa, arizona, new mexico, texas, chihuahuan desert
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About the Map Author

David Cristiani
Environmental Designer with QUERCUS

I'm continuing my study, research, and observation of ecoregions. That work applies to more informed land management practices and to create a more accurate system of climate zones for horticulture. . I've been a landscape architecture and design practitioner for 31 years, owning my design practice...