Water in the Desert
Desert waters are scarce but crucial, determining where and when life can flourish. The Sonoran Desert contains both fresh water and seawater, with the Gulf of California located within its boundaries. Most of the Desert's fresh water is underground, and is tapped by various human, plant and wildlife communities for sustenance. This groundwater is also responsible for the formation of magnificent caves in the area. The consumption of fresh water by human activity over the last century is affecting ecosystems throughout the region, from riparian areas which have been dammed, channeled or drained, to the Gulf of California itself, which gets much reduced inputs of fresh water. The future quality of life for people and wildlife in the region depends on wise long-term management of water resources.