Habitat Preference of Nitrophila Species

Stephen F Austin State University, Baker Pattillo Student Center, Twilight and Grand Ballrooms

Nitrophila occidentalis and Nirophlia mohavensis are both members of the same Family and Genus, and they both are found in the Great Basin region. They are the only members of the Genus Nitrophila native to the United States. Nitrophila occidentalisflourishes in the Great Basin, but Nitrophila mohavensis is endangered and limited to a few populations. Habitat analysis was done to the two species using GIS (Geographical Information Systems) to gain some new insight on how to preserve this endangered species. A discrete difference in soil alkalinity preference was found, which may help in saving N. mohavensis.