| Ownership |
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 3225
National Park Highway, Carlsbad, NM, 88220, 505-755-2232 |
| Habitats |
Desert |
| Land-use |
Tourism |
| Threats |
Animal/plant introductions, Disturbance to birds |
| Site Criteria |
State conservation species (D1), State
research site (D5), Species in rare/unique habitat (D3) |
| Site Description |
Creation of Carlsbad Cavern 250 million years began
with the creation of a 400 mile long reef in an inland sea that covered the
region. Cracks developed in the reef as it grew seaward. Eventually the sea
evaporated and the reef was buried under deposits of salts and gypsum. A few
million years ago, uplift and erosion of the area began to uncover the buried
rock reef. Slightly acidic rainwater seeped down into the cracks in the reef,
slowly dissolving the limestone and beginning the process that would form
underground chambers. At the same time, hydrogen sulfide gas, migrating upward
from oil deposits dissolved in the ground water to form sulfuric acid. The
exposed reef became part of the Guadalupe Mountains. The park is home to the
Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness Area of 33000
acres. The park is part of the northern Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem, where
grassland vegetation and desert shrub give way to pine woodlands at the highest
elevations. |
| Birds |
Largest population of nesting Cave Swallow in New
Mexico. This species been banded here since 1980.
Note: Data repeated for 1980-1999. |
| Conservation Issues |
Feral cats, non-native grasses, light pollution. |
| Conservation Plan |
|
| Monitor(s) |
None assigned. |
| Nominator |
Steve West, 1105 Ocotillo Canyon, Carlsbad, NM
88220, 505-885-3636, wthrswift@carlsbadnm.com |
| Sources |
Birds of North America Breeding Season Reports,
Surveys and Observations - Steve West (SW) |
| Links |
Carlsbad Caverns
National Park
eBird
New Mexico Hot Spot |
| Directions |
Take US-62/180 southwest from Carlsbad to White
City, turn west onto NM-7 to the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center. The
natural entrance is a short walk. |
