Yuma (Cottonwood Macrosystems)

Yuma is one of three replicated common gardens planted comprising the NSF Macrosystems experiment. Fremont cottonwood trees (Populus fremontii) from 16 populations collected throughout Arizona were cloned and planted across a wide climatic and geographic gradient in 2014. This experiment was designed to examine the population and genotype-level variation in important traits expressed at a landscape scale as well as provide important riparian habitat for birds and wildlife.

Background: This is the hottest, southernmost common garden within the Macrosystems experiment. It is located at the terminus of the Colorado River on reclaimed agricultural land and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Site Characteristics Table

Garden Name: Yuma

Land-owner management partner: Bureau of Land Management

County: Yuma, AZ

Latitude and Longitude: 32.85, -114.49

Nearest city: Yuma, AZ

Elevation: 49m

Annual Mean Air Temperature: Minimum 12.7C – Maximum 33.8C

Annual Mean Precipitation: 93mm

On-site manager: No

Overnight housing: No

Parent Material: Sand

Water source: Mittry Lake, Colorado River

Dominant vegetation type: Marsh