Publications
Factores determinantes del flujo turístico en la Reserva de la Biosfera El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar.
Tourist flow to the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve is primarily driven by global tourist GDP, health risks (such as COVID-19), inflation rates, and holiday periods. A multiple linear regression model, analyzing visitor data and socioeconomic variables from 2009–2021, revealed these key determinants. The findings provide actionable insights for tourism management, enabling more accurate future visitor projections and supporting sustainable conservation efforts in this UNESCO-listed protected area.
Damage in a saguaro ( Carnegiea gigantea ) population in the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, Sonora, Mexico
A first-of-its-kind study reveals widespread damage to saguaro cacti (Carnegiea gigantea) populations within the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. The research identified seven types of damage, with 'shell' being the most prevalent (91% of individuals) followed by 'cactus cortical scaling' (CCS), or epidermal browning (73%). Notably, CCS was linked to significant tissue composition changes and stomata distribution alterations, compromising photosynthetic function. While 89.2% of saguaros were moderately damaged and 7.5% highly damaged, only 3.3% remained undamaged. The study highlights the urgent need for long-term conservation strategies due to the species' prolonged life cycle, exacerbated by climate change and increased UV exposure.
Introduction to ‘A tribute to Edward P. Glenn (1947–2017): A legacy of scientific environmental assessment and applications in hydrological processes’
A tribute to Edward P. Glenn (1947–2017) celebrates his pioneering work in hydrological processes, particularly focusing on the Colorado River Delta and its transboundary significance. The special issue highlights four key areas: hydrology in the delta, riparian ecosystem water use, plant ecophysiology, and evapotranspiration modeling. Glenn's research, spanning over four decades, advanced ground-based transpiration quantification to validate remote sensing methods, crucial for understanding water balance in dryland deltas. The Colorado River Delta, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve,' plays a vital role in the Northern Gulf of California ecosystem. The 16 studies in this issue honor Glenn's legacy by addressing his core research interests, including improving satellite and airborne remote sensing for evapotranspiration estimation.
About the Artist: Keith Marroquin Poet Connecting People to Place
Keith Marroquin's art, centered on the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, serves as a powerful tool for conservation advocacy by fostering emotional connections to wild landscapes. His work captures the untouched beauty of the Sonoran Desert, highlighting its unique features such as sand horses and bleached whale bones while challenging human-made constructs like the U.S./Mexico border wall. Marroquin's perspective, rooted in a deep connection with vast, untouched spaces, reflects a geologic timescale that transcends short-term human concerns, offering comfort and a long-view outlook on environmental change.
Sonoran Desert Network Weavers:Surprising Environmental Successes on the U.S./Mexico Border
This study reveals that collaborative networks spanning the U.S./Mexico border have significantly contributed to environmental conservation successes, particularly within the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve. By analyzing social network dynamics, water allocation strategies, and cross-border governance, researchers demonstrate how structured cooperation can mitigate challenges posed by political boundaries, such as those affecting the Colorado River Delta. The findings highlight the role of intermediary work and relational patterns in effective natural resource management, offering a model for addressing transboundary conservation issues. Interviews with stakeholders and case studies from shared environments provide empirical evidence supporting these insights.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve