Browse Map

Explore away

Explore Map Collection

Check out our basemaps

Print a Map Plus

Generate a high-quality PDF

Field Guide

Discover local flora, fauna, geology, and more

Local Flora & Fauna

Learn the ecology of your area

Local Geology

Learn the geologic formation at your feet

Get Started or Sign In

Welcome

Continue with Apple

Already have an account? Sign In

MAP

Topo

Measure

Topo

Ecoregions

Public Lands

...

BASEMAPS

Default Weather

Temperature

Smoke

...

WEATHER

Central Sonoran/Colorado Desert Basins

Ecoregion in CA, AZ

Print Map

Generate High-Quality PDF

The Central Sonoran/Colorado Desert Basins include the broad alluvial plains, fans, and bajadas that occur between the higher relief mountain ranges of Ecoregion 81i. Large areas are dominated by creosotebush and white bursage. Ocotillo, brittlebush, and cholla occur on alluvial fans and coarser soils. Shrub density is low to moderate, with shrub spacing from several feet to tens of feet. The Colorado Desert is more open and sparsely vegetated compared to the eastern Sonoran regions (81k, 81l), leading to a less diverse avifauna. Desert saltbush scrub occurs, often on finer-textured, poorly drained soils with high alkalinity and salinity. Allscale is the dominant shrub, along with some fourwing saltbush, mesquite, and bush seepweed. In the washes and ephemeral streams, mesquite and exotic tamarisk are mixed with creosotebush. Microphyll woodland habitat is found along some dry-wash channels, with blue paloverde, ironwood, smoke tree, or desert willow.

— EPA

Taxonomy

Classified As

Ecoregion