Unique Fish and Wildlife in A Unique Landscape
Nevada’s diversity of life is derived from its geography; the many mountain ranges are effectively isolated from one another by arid and treeless basins. This geography creates a unique endemic biota easily subject to threats and stressors. Among the 50 states, Nevada ranks eleventh in overall biological diversity and is ranked fifth in the number of species extinctions. Nevada’s borders encompass about 71 million acres, making it the seventh largest state.
Challenges to Nevada's Wildlife
Throughout Nevada, water is a scarce and valuable resource essential for both human needs and maintenance of wildlife and their habitats. Consequently, the alteration of hydrologic resources is a significant source of stress to wildlife resources. Nevada is also one of the fastest growing states in the nation, with human population creating a need for additional development into open space, causing habitat loss. Invasive, exotic and feral species are one of the most critical problems facing both terrestrial and aquatic species and habitats in Nevada. One of the most critical ecological processes threatening wildlife conservation in Nevada today is the rapid conversion, due to wildfire, of sagebrush, Mojave, and shadscale shrub habitats to invasive annual grasses and forbs.
Nevada Wildlife Action Plan Video
Learn more about the Nevada Wildlife Action Plan, recently completed by the Nevada Department of Wildlife and its
partners working together to prevent wildlife from becoming
endangered.
Nevada Department of Wildlife
