6.2.2.a Natural and Biological Resources Discussion

Surprise is a part of the Sonoran Desert, one of the four deserts within the North American regions. The Sonoran Desert is lush in comparison to most other deserts. Two visually dominant life forms of plants distinguish the Sonoran Desert from other North American deserts: legume trees and columnar cacti. Much of the Sonoran Desert area has a bi-seasonal rainfall pattern and mild winters. In general the region is characterized by high average temperatures, low humidity, and other extreme temporal and spatial variability in precipitation amounts. The significance of ecologically rich and diverse plant and wildlife communities, the area’s precious water and air resources, and productive open air resources contribute greatly to the city’s quality of life.

Scenic Resources

Surprise’s location near the White Tank Mountains and the Hieroglyphic Mountains provides residents and visitors with an abundance of scenic vistas, and broad expanses of desert land contrasted with distant peaks (MAP 2.6B). Residents of Surprise are well acquainted with these qualities and the existence of such magnificent scenery is an important factor in
sustaining a great quality of life. Continued human activity leaves its mark on the landscape, with both positive and negative results to the viewshed. Careful, well designed and sensitive development of slope areas, through techniques such as cluster development near open features and trails, may mitigate negative impacts on the viewshed.

Wash Environs

The environmental characteristic of Surprise is due in large measure to the major washes like Trilby that traverse through this area (MAP 6.2B). These wash environs are characterized by limited amounts of water and by the presence of arborescent, often spiny shrubs. Flash floods keep the central channel clear of vegetation but along the wash’s edge grow thickets of vegetation that are generally taller and denser than those of the surrounding desert habitats. The dense shrubbery also provides food and cover for other wildlife forms. Wash environs are the Sonoran Desert’s most precious asset, vital to the movement and survival of all wildlife species, linking habitat corridors and a major part of the Agua Fria and Salt River watershed. Neotropical birds use these on the north south journeys, deer, bobcats, and javelina find water to drink and dozens of endangered fish species inhabit permanent pools. Natural landmarks such as these are valued for scenic, visual and aesthetic values, providing a record of the natural heritage of Surprise.

Flora & Fauna

Arid western landscapes provide a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species that are specially adapted for survival in areas with saline conditions and ephemeral water sources. The abundant cacti and other succulents defy the harsh climate with exuberant biodiversity. A brief description of the Surprise Planning Area’s common vegetation communities are provided below, followed by an identification of sensitive species and habitats that warrant additional protection and management strategies to preserve their features.

Vegetation types within the planning area maybe generally classified into three categories:

Urban – Includes ornamental landscaping, non native grass and weed associations in vacant lots, and scattered agricultural crop and orchard plantings
Rural Agricultural – Includes row crops, orchards and ruderal vegetation. Agricultural products grown in the planning area include cotton, corn, and squash.
Desert Shrub - Columnar cacti and legume trees and succulents make up most of the vegetation within the Surprise Planning Area.

Sensitive or special status species are those animal species that are designated by federal or state regulatory agencies as needing protection due to rarity or threats to their existence. Sensitive habitats are those areas in which plant or animal life or their habitats are either rare or especially valuable because of their special nature or role in the ecosystem. The plant and animal species described in Table 6.2A include special status species that have moderate to known occurrence within the Surprise Planning Area.

It is a miracle that life can survive and thrive in the extreme conditions of the desert. Common animals found in the general environment include many species of invertebrates, birds and vertebrate species including fish, reptiles and amphibians, mammals, and birds like roadrunners and quail. Types of animals that are generally found in this region based on their adaptive characteristic are:

Escaping animals – Animals that enter lands only when moisture is available.
Evading animals – Burrowing animals with night activity that do not need to provide water for temperature regulation.
Resisting animals – Animals that endure dehydration and still remain active through physiological processes by which they are able to conserve water.
Enduring – Animals that estivate during hot dry periods such as ground squirrels and gophers.

Table 6.2A

There were no listed or endangered plants, or critical habitats documented within the Surprise general Planning Area. Source: AZ Dept. of Game and Fish, Heritage Data management System, January 10, 2008.

Table 6.2A

[1] Federal and US Status Terms

ESA Endangered Species Act (1973 as amended)

US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona)

Listed

LE Listed Endangered: imminent jeopardy of extinction.

LT Listed Threatened: imminent jeopardy of becoming Endangered.

PS Partial Status: listed Endangered or Threatened, but not in entire range.

XN Experimental Nonessential population.

PDL Proposed for delisting.

Proposed for Listing

PE Proposed Endangered.

PT Proposed Threatened.

Candidate (Notice of Review: 1999)

C Candidate. Species for which USFWS has sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threats to support proposals to list as Endangered or Threatened under ESA. However, proposed rules have not yet been issued because such actions are precluded at present by other listing activity.

SC Species of Concern. The terms "Species of Concern" or "Species at Risk" should be considered as terms-of-art that describe the entire realm of taxa whose conservation status may be of concern to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, but neither term has official status (currently all former C2 species).

DPS Distinct Population Segment: a portion of a species’ or subspecies’ population or range. The DPS is generally described geographically.

Critical Habitat (check with state or regional USFWS office for location details)

Y Yes: Critical Habitat has been designated.

P Proposed: Critical Habitat has been proposed.

[ \N No Status: certain populations of this taxon do not have designated status (check with state or regional USFWS office for details about which populations have designated status)].

R E S O U R C E S

USFS US Forest Service (1999 Animals, 1999 Plants: corrected 2000)

US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Region 3 (http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/)

S Sensitive: those taxa occurring on National Forests in Arizona which are considered sensitive by the Regional Forester.

BLM US Bureau of Land Management (2005 Animals, 2005 Plants)

US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Office (http://azwww.az.blm.gov)

S Sensitive: those taxa occurring on BLM Field Office Lands in Arizona which are considered sensitive by the Arizona State Office.

P Population: only those populations of Banded Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum cinctum) that occur north and west of the Colorado River, are considered sensitive by the Arizona State Office.

The City recognizes the need to contribute to the protection of native plants and animals, and their habitats before their populations are so low that they must be listed as threatened or endangered under the State and Federal Endangered species acts and will provide protection to special status species.

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