Biology ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-1-2017

Abstract

In northern New Mexico, early settlements were clustered for protection of the people and access to water for domestic and agricultural uses was critical to their success. Irrigation ditches, known as acequias, brought water to the people, and were central to community life. These earthen ditches of varying lengths were built between one hundred and several hundred years ago, and most are still operational today. They divert water away from natural streams and across the landscape, through a system of man-made channels, until the unused water is diverted back into natural watercourses. These lateral channels appear to function as extensions of the riverscape, but flow intermittence and physical qualities are managed, and most natural disturbances are dampened. Cultural studies have suggested that acequias have a positive influence on the local ecosystem by increasing floral and faunal biodiversity, extending the riparian zone, and protecting the hydrology and ecology of the watershed, but no rigorous scientific studies have been conducted. This project asks: “What are the effects of this diversion of water on the ecology of an area from a management, local history and ecological perspective?” We examined the influences of an acequia system on a catchment in Mora, New Mexico to determine to what extent these assumed benefits are realized. Acequias are managed in such a way that they respond more quickly to changes in climate and demands for water than larger water systems. Over time, they create a stabilized environment that allows local landowners to continue using farmland while repairing damage caused by overuse of cropland in the past. Finally, a look at the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of the perennial river and associated intermittent acequias shows that these acequias have a structure comparable to that of intermittent river systems. This research suggests that place-based knowledge in northern New Mexico has aided in creating an extension of the natural waterways that may benefit both the water users and the local ecosystem.

Project Sponsors

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

Language

English

Keywords

ACEQUIAS, INTERMITTENT RIVERS, MORA VALLEY

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

CLIFFORD N DAHM

Second Committee Member

REBECCA BIXBY

Third Committee Member

SCOTT COLLINS

Fourth Committee Member

PENELOPE BOSTON

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