Can a burned desert watershed bounce back? Nevada restoration efforts offer clues
After a wildfire, rivers and streams can take years to recover. Native plants and wildlife are often crowded out by invasive species in the aftermath. But in Nevada’s Virgin River watershed, a collaboration between federal agencies and conservation groups is pointing to early signs of recovery. The work is unfolding in a remote stretch of desert in southern Nevada, where the tributary winds through a system that eventually feeds into the Colorado River, a critical water source for millions across the Mountain West. … The habitat supports rare species, including the Southwestern willow flycatcher, and fish, such as the Virgin River chub. … [T]he effort is only the first step in a longer restoration process that includes invasive plant removal and water management improvements designed to slow runoff and increase soil absorption.
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