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State Plans Arizona
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Colorado Plateau
(Area - 26,484,700 ha)
Description - The Colorado Plateau is centered on the four corners area and
extends into Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. It is an area of tablelands with
moderate to high relief dissected by narrow and widely-spaced stream valleys. The Colorado
Plateau is characterized by limited precipitation, cold winters and hot summers. Lowest
elevations are covered with arid shrublands with grass interspersed. Sagebrush is dominant
over large areas, with cottonwoods along perennial water courses. At moderate elevations,
woodland vegetation is dominated by pinyon pine and juniper, with various shrubs
intermixed. Montane forest is in high elevations, with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir
dominant to the south and lodgepole pine and aspen farther north.
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Conservation recommendations and needs - The entire range of western issues has affected this physiographic area. Overgrazing and invasion of non-native plants, timber harvest followed by changes in woodland character, conversion of habitat to agricultural and residential use, water development, mineral development, and outdoor recreation, particularly widespread use of off-road vehicles have all had their effects. Recommendations include management of grazing to allow regeneration of riparian tree species and to protect natural water sources. Preventing the spread of non-native plants, especially cheatgrass, salt cedar, and Russian olive, and restoring infested areas where practical, is an important concern. Conversion of mature pinyon-juniper and healthy unaltered sagebrush should be avoided through protection of key sites. Developments, such as residential and oil and gas, in or near sensitive areas such as leks and water sources should be avoided.
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