Waterman Mountains
Encyclopedia
The Waterman Mountains are a low mountainous landform
in Pima County
, United States
. Numerous flora
and fauna
species are found in the Waterman Mountains, in the Pinyon-juniper woodland
plant community. Notable among the tree species is the Elephant tree (Bursera microphylla
) which species exhibits a contorted multi-furcate architecture. The Waterman Mountain range is in the Ironwood Forest National Monument
.
The Waterman Mountains are not extensive, and merge into the southern section of the Silver Bell Mountains
. The south of the range abuts the northwest of the northwest-southeast trending Roskruge Mountains. The highest point of the range is Waterman Peak at 3808 feet (1,161 m).
and plant community of the Waterman Mountains area of Arizona
has been reconstructed to its composition as far back as the last glacial period, the Late Wisconsin glatial
period. Dominant trees of that era, based upon pollen records, were Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), Single-leaf Pinyon
(Pinus monophylla), and Redberry Juniper (Juniperus pinchotii), and understory plants included Monardella arizonica
.
Landform
A landform or physical feature in the earth sciences and geology sub-fields, comprises a geomorphological unit, and is largely defined by its surface form and location in the landscape, as part of the terrain, and as such, is typically an element of topography...
in Pima County
Pima County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*74.3% White*3.5% Black*3.3% Native American*2.6% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.7% Two or more races*12.4% Other races*34.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Numerous flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
and fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
species are found in the Waterman Mountains, in the Pinyon-juniper woodland
Pinyon-juniper woodland
A Pinyon-juniper woodland is a forest type characteristic of many parts the Western United States, often in higher elevations of desert ecoregions.-Locations:...
plant community. Notable among the tree species is the Elephant tree (Bursera microphylla
Bursera microphylla
Bursera microphylla, known by the common name Elephant Tree, is a tree in genus Bursera. It grows into a distinctive sculptural form, with a trunk resembling that of an elephant. The Elephant Tree is quite rare...
) which species exhibits a contorted multi-furcate architecture. The Waterman Mountain range is in the Ironwood Forest National Monument
Ironwood Forest National Monument
Ironwood Forest National Monument is located in the Sonoran Desert and the U.S. state of Arizona. Created by Bill Clinton by Presidential Proclamation 7320 on June 9, 2000, the 129,022 acre monument is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, an agency within the U.S. Department of the...
.
The Waterman Mountains are not extensive, and merge into the southern section of the Silver Bell Mountains
Silver Bell Mountains
The Silver Bell Mountains are an arid north-northwest x southeast trending small mountain range in north-central Pima County, Arizona. The range lies west of Marana, Arizona, located on Interstate-10, northwest of Tucson....
. The south of the range abuts the northwest of the northwest-southeast trending Roskruge Mountains. The highest point of the range is Waterman Peak at 3808 feet (1,161 m).
Prehistoric ecology
The prehistoric ecologyEcology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
and plant community of the Waterman Mountains area of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
has been reconstructed to its composition as far back as the last glacial period, the Late Wisconsin glatial
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
period. Dominant trees of that era, based upon pollen records, were Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), Single-leaf Pinyon
Single-leaf Pinyon
The Single-leaf Pinyon, ', is a pine in the pinyon pine group, native to the United States and northwest Mexico. The range is in southernmost Idaho, western Utah, Arizona, southwest New Mexico, Nevada, eastern and southern California and northern Baja California.It occurs at moderate altitudes from...
(Pinus monophylla), and Redberry Juniper (Juniperus pinchotii), and understory plants included Monardella arizonica
Monardella arizonica
Monardella arizonica is a plant species endemic to Arizona in the USA. Plants within the genus are commonly known as wildmint, coyote mint or monardella.-Ancient history:...
.
Sources
- C. Michael Hogan. 2009. Elephant Tree: Bursera microphylla, GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg
- Neal Erskine McClymonds. 1957. The stratigraphy and structure of the Waterman Mountains, Pima County, Arizona 314 pages