whenoneviewsthebiodiversityinnevadaitissurprisingto（21页）.docVIP

Performance Benchmark L.12.C.4 Students know the unique geologic, hydrologic, climatic, and biological characteristics of Nevada’s bioregions. E/S When one views the biodiversity in Nevada it is surprising to note that only ten states are richer in their biodiversity. Nevada lists 3,872 species in the state, of which, plants are the most common with 2,875 species. In addition Nevada ranks sixth in terms of endemic species (native species not found elsewhere) with 309 species found only in Nevada. The chart below shows the taxa where these endemic species are distributed. Figure 1. Endemic species in Nevada by major taxa. /nrp01/figure3-1.gif To learn more on Nevada’s biodiversity go to /reports/scor2006.pdf and, /Reports/stateofunions.pdf At the same time Nevada has 25 species that are on the Federal List of Endangered. Of these are 17 fish which include a number of pupfish in Ash Meadows. To find the names of endangered species in Nevada go to /endanged.htm The names of additional threatened species in Nevada are found at /nevada/protected_species/nevada_species_list.html A map of threatened and endangered species is located at /tess_public/StateListing.do?state=all The question then becomes, why does Nevada have so much biodiversity relative to the other 50 states? Size alone is not the answer considering Texas the second largest state in area is second in biodiversity, while the largest state, Alaska ranks 49 in biodiversity. Of more importance is the geographical diversity in the state. Nevada lies in a geological region known as Basin and Range (see map below) which is vast system of valleys and mountain ranges. This area extends east-west from the Colorado Plateau to the Sierra Nevada, while stretching south from the borders of Nevada, Washington and Idaho to the northern parts of Mexico. Figure 2. Extent of the Basin and Range topography in North America. /wiki/Basin_and_Range The Basin and Range topography has res