Background:
The headwaters of Cienega creek begin and flow north through the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (LCNCA).  The LCNCA is an approximate 46,000 acre preserve, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, that contains an isolated riparian gallery forest (cottonwood/willow/ash) which is absent of beavers (Castor canadensis).  Historically, beavers were present almost anywhere the appropriate habitat conditions existed (e.g., permanent water and deciduous tree vegetation).  Beavers were extirpated from most of their range within Arizona in the late 1800’s.    

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the suitability of habitat along Cienega Creek for harboring a viable population of beavers.  Information from this project will be used to aid managers from both the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Land Management in deciding if re-establishing beavers into Cienega Creek is warranted. 
 
Location:
The LCNCA is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona.

Approach:
Habitat characteristics were measured along seven miles of Cienega Creek.  We used a combination of belt and line-intercept transects to measures various vegetation characteristics including woody species composition, tree canopy closure, tree diameter, shrub crown closure, and shrub height.  Stream gradient and water level fluctuations were also evaluated using topographic maps and stream flow data. Habitat Suitability Index models, developed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, will be used to evaluate suitability of habitat along Cienega Creek for beavers using collected data. 

Benefits:
Re-establishing beavers into Cienega creek will benefit the riparian area in several ways.  The landscape modifications they perform, such as damming and pooling of water, will decrease bank erosion and down cutting of the stream channel.  Constructed dams will slow flood waters producing more stable stream flows beneficial to invertebrate and fish production.  Flooding, as a result of damming activities, will create additional habitat for the federally endangered Gila topmminow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis) and candidate species, Gila chub (Gila intermedia), which are present in Cienega creek.  Other wildlife (e.g., waterfowl, amphibians, reptiles) favoring ponds and marshes will also benefit.

For more information contact:

Angela Stingelin, Arizona Game and Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000.
Phone: (520) 742-1911            Email: astingelin@azgfd.gov

Michael Ingraldi, Ph.D., Arizona Game and Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000.
Phone: (928) 532-5625            E-mail: mingraldi@frontiernet.net