Our Work

The Chihuahuan Desert is home to many wetlands that provide crucial habitat for migratory birds in North America. Climate change and anthropogenic water use are affecting migratory birds’ wintering and stopover habitats. Therefore, it is imperative to find effective habitat conservation methods to better support populations of these species. A deeper understanding of the current status and trajectory of wetlands is needed in order to better inform wetland conservation strategies. In this project, Bryce Mann and team are assessing the spatiotemporal availability of surface water within the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico and southwestern United States using time series of surface water extents via satellite remote sensing. The result of this study will provide clear information on the status, trend, and factors affecting wetland habitats across the Chihuahuan Desert.