NAME Grand Canyon National Park

IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY

II (National Park)

Natural World Heritage Site - Criteria i, ii, iii, iv

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCE 1.19.12 (Rocky Mountains)

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Northern portion of the State of Arizona, in Coconino and Mohave counties. 35°43'-36°45'N, 111°36'-113°56'W

DATE AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT First protected in 1893 as a forest reserve in which mining, lumbering and hunting were permitted; upgraded to a game reserve in 1906, giving protection to the wildlife; redesignated a national monument in 1908; and declared a national park on 26 February 1919 by Act of Congress. Enlarged from 363,389ha by an act of Congress on 3 January 1975 to include all the lands previously designated as Grand Canyon and Marble Canyon national monuments, together with portions of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Kaibab National Forest and other public and private lands. 34,000ha were simultaneously removed from the park administration and incorporated in Havasupai Indian Reservation. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979.

AREA 493,077ha.

LAND TENURE 491,470ha is federally owned, of which 9,833ha is administered by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Indian Tribe. A further 1,795ha comprise private smallholdings.

ALTITUDE 518m to 2,793m

PHYSICAL FEATURES The park is dominated by the spectacular Grand Canyon; a twisting, 1.5km deep and 447km long gorge, formed during some six million years of geological activity and erosion by the Colorado River on the upraised earth's crust (2.5km above sea level). It divides the park into the North Rim and South Rim which overlook the 549m-30km wide canyon; the buttes, spires, mesas and temples in the canyon are in fact mountains looked down upon from the rims. On-going erosion by the seasonal and permanent rivers produces impressive waterfalls and rapids of washed-down boulders along the length of the canyon and its tributaries. There are over 100 named rapids. Exposed horizontal geological strata in the canyon span some 2,000 million years of geological history, providingevidence of the four major geological eras; late Precambrian, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic. The early Precambrian strata, known as the Vishnu Metamorphic Complex, are devoid of fossils. The first fossil evidence appears in the late Precambrian Bass Limestone with remains of early plant forms. Subsequent strata dating from the Palaeozoic era catalogue the sequence of local history, with both marine and terrestrial fossils demonstrating the periods in the distant past when the whole region was alternately submerged and raised. The Mesozoic era is less well illustrated within the park, but tracks made by early reptiles are found to the east in the Navajo Indian reservation. There are a few fossil remains of mammals from the Cenozoic (Hunt, 1969; Babcock et al., 1974; Newman, 1977).

CLIMATE Altitudinal range provides a variety of climates and habitats, ranging from desert to mountain conditions.

VEGETATION Five vegetation zones have been described: Hudsonian on the North Rim plateau with Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens and Rocky Mountain maple Acer glabrum; Canadian near the North Rim, with aspen Populus tremuloides and Ponderosa Pinus ponderosa and forests of Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii, white fir Abies concolor and aspen Populus tremulus at 2,500m; high altitude Transition (Ponderosa) forests of Pinus ponderosa and gambel oak Quercus gambelii; upper Sonoran on and below the South Rim with Utah juniper Juniperus osteosperma, pinon pine Pinus edulis and sagebrush Artemisia spp.; and the Lower Sonoran down the Canyon and at the bottom (desert cacti, rabbitbrush, mesquite, Morman tea and Manzanita). Over 1,500 plant species have so far been identified (National Park Service, pers. comm., 1995), comprising representatives of five out of the seven life zones defined for North America by Dr C. Hart Merriam in the late 19th century. Eleven plant species listed as threatened in the United States' statutes are found in the park; Palmer amsonia Amsonia palmeri, goldenweed Haplopappus salicinus, Draba asprella var. kaibensis, plains cactus Pediocactus bradyi, scouler catchfly Silene rectiramea, phacelia Phacelia filiformis, wild buckwheats Eriogonum darrovii, E. thompsonae var. atwoodi and E. zionis var. coccineum, primrose Primula hunnewellii and clute penstemon Penstemon clutei. In addition, there are 15 plant species recommended for consideration as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Sentry milkvetch Astragalus cremnophylax var cremnophylax, is listed as endangered under US statutes.

FAUNA Over 300 bird, 76 mammal, and 50 herpetofauna species have been identified and some 25 fish species inhabit the Colorado River and its tributaries (National Park Service, pers. comm., 1995). Kaibab squirrel Sciurus kaibabensis is an endemic species, found only on the North Rim, and a sub-species of rattlesnake Crotalus viridis abyssus occurs only in the Grand Canyon. Large mammals include coyote Canis latrans, mountain lion Felis concolor, bobcat F. rufus, mule deer Odocoileus hemionus, elk Alces alces, pronghorn antelope Antilocapra americana, and desert bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis. Rare or threatened birds listed under the United States Endangered Species Act of 1973 include California brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis, bald eagle Haliaetus leucocephalus and peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus anatum. A 1988-89 study of 25% of the park revealed the presence of at least 58 adult pairs of peregrine falcon, the largest population in any land management area in the lower states. Threatened fish include humpback chub Gila cypha (E) and razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus (E).

CULTURAL HERITAGE The park contains more than 2,600 documented prehistoric ruins, including evidence of Palaeo Judiou and Archaic cultures, Cohonina Indians along theSouth Rim, and Anasazi Indians on both the South rim, North Rim, and within the Inner Canyon. Sometime after 1200 AD, the canyon was abandoned, with reoccupation occurring after 1300 AD. Hualapai and Havasupai Indians moved into the canyons at this time, where they remained undisturbed until the Anglo-Americans arrived in 1860. Archaeological remains show the adaptation of human societies to severe climate and physiographic changes.

The early 20th century built environment is an outstanding example of development in a major natural attraction by both private enterprise and the National Park Service. Early development provided a railway service, a major destination lodge in the El Tovar Hotel, as well as less luxurious accommodation. A development plan was compiled for the South Rim Development areas in 1924 and implemented throughout the 1930s as the built environment expanded to meet visitor expectations. Buildings were designed to blend with the surrounding environment. Roads were developed according to the flow of contours and the various user zones, including accommodation, industrial, commercial and residential. The Grand Canyon Lodge Complex was the most prominent feature and is now itself a National Historic Landmark. Many buildings and structures constructed during the 1930s have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This collection totals 397 buildings situated on the South rim, North Rim, and within the Inner Canyon. (J H Davis, pers. comm., 1989).

LOCAL HUMAN POPULATION The small village of Grand Canyon (809ha) lies within the park and contains the administrative, maintenance and visitor centres.

VISITORS AND VISITOR FACILITIES Services include lodging, campgrounds, mule rides, horse rides and bus tours. Hiking is popular and there are 38 trails (580km) running through the backcountry. Access to the park is via Highways 64, 67 or the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, which is located just outside the southern boundary. The park receives some five million visitors per year (NPS, 1995).

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES Major studies have concerned geology, archaeology, fire management, sociology, ecological impacts and flora and fauna of the area. There is a resource study collection of flora, fauna and human artifacts at the park headquarters/visitor centre on the South Rim.

CONSERVATION VALUE This 1,500m deep canyon, carved by the Colorado River, is the most spectacular gorge in the world, whose horizontal strata retraces geological history over the past two billion years.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT A general management plan was completed in 1995 and replaces the 1977 management plan. The general management plan is the culmination of a four year process that has involved local citizens, American Indian tribes, and public and private agencies. The environmental impacts of implementing the management plan were analysed in a Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impacts Assessment. The direction for future park management is based on the laws establishing the park and the National Park Service, the purpose of the park and its significant resources. The park's most serious management issue is that of tourism: the annual five million visitors have gradually degraded the park's natural and cultural resources. At present there is no comprehensive management plan that deals with general visitor use (NPS, 1995).

The park has been zoned for management purposes. These comprise a natural zone includingproposed wilderness area, Havasupai Uselands and nonwilderness areas and corridors and a development zone comprising developed areas. Over 90% of the parks will be managed as wilderness. Studies of potential boundary adjustments may result in recommendations to revise the park's boundaries (NPS, 1995).

MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS Glen Canyon dam to the north of the park has noticeably reduced the rate of water flow down the Colorado River course, and changed the seasonal pattern of sediment aggradation degradation. The resultant reduction in silt and sediment carried in the river has slowed the rate of sedimentation. This affects not only the plants and animals which live along the river corridor, but also impacts the beach terrain used for camping by river-runners. Other threats include commercial interests, hydroelectric developments, mining, livestock grazing, aircraft overflights, motor vehicles and exotic, non-native flora and fauna which compete with and sometimes exclude native species. The air quality is affected by coal-powered plants in the region and aluminium smelters at Los Angeles, copper smelters in Northern Mexico, and regional haze. Visitation increased dramatically in the late 1980s causing traffic congestion and crowding at popular daytime attractions within the park (J H Davis, pers. comm., 1989).

STAFF 242 permanent staff members and 159 seasonal (1994) (National Park Service, pers. comm., 1995).

BUDGET US$ 12.8 million plus special funding was authorised for fiscal year 1994 (National Park Service, pers. comm., 1995).

LOCAL ADDRESSES

Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023

REFERENCES

Babbitt, B.E. (1978). Grand Canyon, an anthology. Northland Press.

Babcock et al. (1974). Geology of the Grand Canyon. Museum of Northern Arizona and Grand Canyon Natural History Association.

Beal, M.D. (1975 revision). Grand Canyon, the story behind the scenery, K C Publications.

Brown, B.T. et al. (1978). Birds of the Grand Canyon Region; an annotated checklist. Grand Canyon Natural History Association, Monograph No. 1.

Brown, B.T, Carothers, S.W., Hoffman, S.W. and Glinski, R.L. (1990). Abundance of peregrine falcon in Grand Canyon National Park has implications for regionwide recovery. Park Science. 10 (2). Pp 7.

Dutton, C.E. (1882). Tertiary history of the Grand Canyon District. US Geological Survey.

Garrett, W E. (July 1978). "The Grand Canyon", National Geographic Magazine, 50 pp.

Hinchliffe, L.M. (1976). Legislative History of Grand Canyon National Park. Unpublished park record.

Hoffman, J.F. (1977). National parkways, a photographic and comprehensive guide to Grand Canyon National Park. Worldwide Research and Publishing Company.

Hoffmeister, D.F. (1971). Mammals of Grand Canyon, University of Illinois Press.

Hughes, D.J. (1978). House of Stone and Light. Grand Canyon Natural History Associations.

Hunt, C.B. (1969). "Geological history of the Colorado River", The Colorado River Region and John Wesley Powell. US Government Printing Office.

Jones, A.T. and Euler, R.C. (1979). A sketch of Grand Canyon Prehistory. Grand Canyon Natural History Association.

Manns, T. (1978). A guide to Grand Canyon villages, Historic District. Grand Canyon Natural History Association.

McDougall, W B. (1947). Plants of Grand Canyon National Park. Bulletin No 10, Grand Canyon Natural History Association.

National Parks Service (1977). Natural resource management plan for Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. US Department of the Interior.

NPS (1995). General Management Plan, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. National Park Serive, US Department of the Interior. 67 pp.

NPS (1995a). Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. National Park Service, US Department of the Interior.

Newman, William L. (1977). Geological time. US Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, US Government Printing Office.

Powell, J.W. (1961). The exploration of the Colorado River and its canyons, Dover Publications Inc.

Scharff, R. (edited by). (1967). Grand Canyon National Park. David McKay Company Inc, New York.

Schmidt, J. (1993). A Natural History Guide, Grand Canyon National Park.

US Department of the Interior (1989). Glen Canyon Environmental Studies: Executive Summaries of Technical Reports.

Wheat, J.D. (1963). Prehistoric people of the northern south-west. Bulletin No 12, Grand Canyon Natural History Association.

World Heritage nomination submitted to Unesco.

DATE 1982, updated May 1990, October 1995