Sonoran Desert Cactus Guild

The iconic Sonoran Desert is home to many species of cactus, vascular plants, and wildlife, including the giant saguaro, cholla, and prickley pear cacti seen here. Plants and animals have adapted to living in such a harsh dry environment. For example, the plants in this photo have grown up in the shade of one another, and survived due to protection from the hot sun. The USGS RAMPS program works to restore America's desert ecosystems after disturbances through collaborative co-creation of science, creation of best practices, and helping land managers assess and learn from the work that they do.