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Exploring the Ecosystem of the U.S.-Mexico Border

Exploring the Ecosystem of the U.S.-Mexico Border

5 years ago
Anonymous $L9wC17otzH

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/exploring-the-ecosystem-of-the-u-s-mexico-border/

The wetlands are springing back to life in the Colorado River delta located mostly in Mexico just at the border with the United States. The endangered Yuma clapper rail croaks a funny song in the tall reeds that rise up out of the unexpected marshes in the Ciénega de Santa Clara. The snowy egret, vermilion flycatcher and Gila woodpecker are surging back in the Laguna Grande wetlands and the endangered yellow-billed cuckoo is found anew at this key stopover on the Pacific migratory bird flyway. Lured by water and habitat fix-ups through binational restoration efforts, bobcats and beavers are making a comeback, too.  

These wetlands, to be clear, are south of the border line and may not be directly affected by any future border wall. But like other natural resources along the border whose health and well-being rests in a commitment to cross-border conservation, such as Big Bend National Park in Texas or the Sky Islands of Arizona and New Mexico, they are part of connected ecosystems already challenged by encroaching urbanization, increasing water demand and climate change.