One of the many interesting presentations at the recent Guide Training Seminar in Marble Canyon was one by the Spring Stewardship Institute of the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Not only does the Institute provide amazing detail on the springs within the Grand Canyon, but also for springs all across the country. The idea behind the project was to create a collaborative place where National Park Service resource managers, researchers, conservationists and the public could view data as well as contribute.
In the GTS presentation, researchers Larry Stevens and Jeri Ledbetter said springs can support 100-500-fold greater species concentration than are found in surrounding areas. They also pointed out the striking fact that nearly 10 percent of the 1800 plant species that occur in the entire Grand Canyon are found only at springs. And some species are found nowhere else in the world!
Go check out the site at https://springstewardshipinstitute.org/