Water developments are a widely used wildlife management tool in the arid Southwest. The ecological effects of those facilities have received little study and remain a source of controversy. We studied direct and indirect effects of wildlife water developments in southwestern Arizona from 1999-2003. Our results did not support hypothesized negative impacts suggested by critics of wildlife water development programs.

While we may view climate change issues as a more global or national problem, our unique Sonoran Desert ecosystem is a recognized global resource; hence climate change is an important consideration in how we manage and protect our fragile desert ecosystem. This discussion is designed to promote local awareness of how climate change may impact our resources.