Overview of threats to Sonoran wildlands

Overgrazing and CowThere are many threats to flora and fauna of Sonora. The economy is doing well and the population and human infrastructure are growing. And with that so is the pressure on remaining wild areas. At the same time there are few people working to protect these areas, especially when compared to Arizona next door. There is a growing awareness of the impressive biological resources of Sonora, as well as the fact that there still exists areas with relatively undisturbed, remote, and functional ecosystems.

Some of the primary threats are industrial tourism, overgrazing, groundwater pumping, road building, growing population, woodcutting, and invasive species. It should be noted that tourism is a double edged sword. It is occasionally helpful in protecting a place from harm, but is often one of the worst things that can happen to an area, as seen by the coastal highway currently being planned and built.