Fauna Series No. 1 Cover Contents Foreword Approach Methods Analysis Conspectus Suggested Policy

Fauna of the National Parks of the United States CONSPECTUS OF WILD-LIFE PROBLEMS OF EACH PARK SOUTHWEST PARKS Bryce Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Zion are the national parks of the desert. They are characterized by plants and animals which are highly specialized to cope with the rigors of arid climate. Their special adaptations and their triumph in a portion of the world that, to us at least seems hostile to life are constant sources of interest to the traveler. On the other side, the relations between fauna and environment are so critical that even slight disturbances may be disastrous. For instance, the mammals and birds of many square miles are sometimes dependent on a single water hole. If this is destroyed or preempted for human use, the wild life of that particular area will suffer accordingly. Bunch grasses are easily destroyed by grazing, and the forces of erosion readily loosed so that floods carry away the necessary and all-too-scarce green bottoms and leave the precious springs to go dry the rest of the year. FIGURE 39. – The Bailey collared lizard is one of the specialized forms of animal life which are found in the desert. Photograph taken May 31, 1931, in Zion Canyon, Zion. Wild Life Survey No. 1842 It behooves man, because of these things, to tread lightly in developing these parks. The greatest circumspection must be used in order that the wonderful desert life which is one of their distinctive attractions shall not be destroyed. SOUTHWEST PARKS Bryce Canyon | Carlsbad Caverns | Grand Canyon | Mesa Verde | Zion Canyon PARKS Southwest | Rocky Mountain | Pacific Coast | Eastern | Territorial

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