Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring in Saguaro National Park: Biodiversity & Citizen Science

Authors: Maya Tainatongo

Year: 2022

Abstract

The tinajas of Saguaro National Park are unique aquatic ecosystems that provide habitat for many aquatic species throughout the dry seasons in the Sonoran Desert. However, as climate change continues to impact drought and rain periods across the park, these tinaja ecosystems will be irreversibly impacted. Decreasing rainfall leads to less water recharge of the tinajas and increased temperatures means higher tinaja evaporation rates. We expect this to affect aquatic habitats in terms of their hydroperiods, or length of inundation, which is the limiting factor for aquatic invertebrate colonization. The Saguaro National Park region has already been affected by higher average temperatures and reduced rainfall. Through this project, our goal is to investigate the hydrology parameters that have the greatest impact on aquatic invertebrate diversity within each pool. There has been very little documented research into the aquatic invertebrate populations in the tinajas at Saguaro National Park, specifically within the Wildhorse drainage. Aquatic insects are vital as they provide food to many of the species that inhabit and frequent the pools such as frogs and birds.