Vertebrate species composition of remnant desert islands within central Arizona-Phoenix urban areas: period 1998-1999

Urban growth around Phoenix over the last 30 years has produced numerous isolated
"islands" of remnant desert habitat. Each of these remnants has its own unique
vertebrate community, determined by the fauna present prior to isolation, area of
remaining habitat, vegetation characteristics, time since isolation, and distance to
other islands or source populations. These factors can be used as predictors of how
future growth will affect potential desert preserves.