Sierra Azul, Sonora
Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Assessment
Sky Island Alliance, based in Tucson, Arizona, is a grass-roots nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the rich natural heritage of native species and habitats in the Sky Island region of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. This 70,000 square-mile region is globally important, because of its rich biodiversity of species and habitats, and as a stronghold of such magnificent predators as the Mexican wolf and the jaguar. The region is a unique intersection of tropical and temperate climates, harboring well over half the bird species of North America as well as over 3000 species of plants and 104 species of mammals.
To help secure and preserve this region, a unique tri-national effort, including Mexican, French and US scientific, technical and financial support, has been established under the administrative supervision of the Sky Island Alliance. With principle funding from the French-based, Veolia Environment Foundation, and support from the US National Park Service and the Turner Foundation, SIA has initiated the Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Assessment, and is inviting scientists and volunteers to learn about participating in its Program.
Latest MABA News:*Trip report detailing our exploration of the Sierra Bacadéhuachi, August of 2011. Sierra Bacadéhuachi Trip Report (2.8MB) * Trip report from MABA expedition to the Cíenega Saracachi and Sierra San Antonio - April/May 2011 Saracachi/San Antonio Trip Report (PDF - 3.5MB) * Trip report from MABA expedition to the Sierra La Madera (Sierra Oposura) - Aug. 2010 Sierra La Madera Trip Report (PDF - 3MB) * Trip report from MABA expedition in Animas Valley - May 2010 Animas Valley Expedition Report (PDF - 700KB) * Trip report from latest MABA expedition - March 2010 Sierra El Tigre Expedition Report (PDF - 1.7MB) * Trip report from San Luis MABA expedition - Sept. 2009 Sierra San Luis Expedition Report (PDF - 7MB) * Sky Island Alliance hosted a workshop for 25 Univ. of Sonora students at conservation ranch El Aribabi designed to stimulate interest in the natural history of northeastern Sonora while providing volunteer opportunities for students' academic programs and contributing to MABA data collection efforts. > See full report here |
Mountain Lions at El Aribabi, Sonora
The Assessment includes fieldwork by scientists from universities and research centers in the three indicated countries, as well as students and volunteers, who are determining in the context of climate change, the extent, diversity and relative health of various forms of wildlife and vegetation within this region. Bringing this information to the attention of ranchers, private landowners and residents living within the region, while communicating recommended conservation efforts to policy and administrative decision-makers, in both Mexico and in the US, is the "Outreach and Communication" assignment of the Washington Liaison Office, under contract to Sky Island Alliance.
In addition to its basic scientific objectives, the Assessment provides a positive image of binational, cross-border cooperation as an alternative to the current headlines and emphasis on drug-related violence. It is an inclusive effort that welcomes the interest and involvement of those committed to the process of international cooperation to achieve a resilient and sustainable Sky Island Region, respectful of the interrelationship between humans and nature.
Sky Island Alliance and our MABA program have created a virtual fauna and flora to serve as a gateway for the environmental research community as well as the general public to access and contribute to a growing collection of specimen records, observations, images and other information. These data represent the products of contemporary field research as well as historic data mined from publications and historic records. See this website and interact with the database at madrean.org.
See more info on MABA at the Veolia Environment Foundation website here.
Program Staff
> Tom Van Devender, Ph.D, Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Assessment, Project Manager, vandevender@skyislandalliance.org
> Nick Deyo, Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Assessment Coordinator,
nick@skyislandalliance.org
Introductory Video on the Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Assessment
The video below was made to briefly introduce the Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Assessment (MABA) project and summarize its objectives for the numerous entities it will involve. The assessment will serve to perform critical research on the vast array of life found in the Sky Island region and educate the public, via electronic media, about why it is such a vital ecological zone. Nature shots are taken along the Continental Divide between Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico, and in the Chiracahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona.
MABA Principle Sponsors: The Veolia Foundation and the Sky Island Alliance. Video footage courtesy of Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation. Script and narration: Sy Rotter; Videography: Ruben Ruiz; Still photos: Laurence De Bure; Post Production: Terence Babb Production facilities:DSP Media Productions.
Visit DSP Media for more programs about the Sky Island region. See DSP Media Productions.
MABA Overview from Terry Babb on Vimeo.