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  The Upper Sevier Watershed provides habitat for several unique plant species. One of these, Arizona Willow, is found in small patches scattered throughout the watershed. The high elevation riparian ecosystem on which Arizona willow depends is fragile and also provides habitat for other rare species of plants and animals, such as the boreal toad, willow flycatcher, paradox bloodmoonwort and the Navajo Lake milkvetch. Arizona Willow was once thought to be more common, but degraded habitat conditions and changes in local riparian community species composition have altered the natural hydrological characteristics of many stream systems in which Arizona willow occur. A fence to exclude livestock and big game was constructed by volunteers to protect and improve a small stand of Arizona Willow along the East Fork of the Sevier River. While this small population may be protected for the time being, it may take many years for biologists to reduce existing threats to known populations of Arizona willow, and to further assess overall distribution of Arizona willow, define potential habitat, and quantify density and abundance of this unique plant. |
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