The Upper Gila River COA (Figure 58) spans approximately 251,656 ha (621,853 ac), extends from Silver City northward to the Gila River headwaters, and encompasses the central portion of the Mogollon Mountains.

The majority of the land (~96%) in this COA is managed by the USFS, while about 3.5% is privately owned. Less than 1% is managed by the BLM, the SLO, the Department, and the DOE. Approximately 70% of this COA is currently protected.

The COA supports 21 native vegetation habitats, four ruderal or introduced vegetation types, and agricultural vegetation, barren areas, developed and urban spaces, and open water. The dominant habitats are Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Forest (36%) and Madrean Lowland Evergreen Woodland (29%). Perennial aquatic habitats include 269 km (167 mi) of warm-water streams, 579 km (360 mi) of cold-water streams, 27 ha (67 ac) of warm-water reservoirs, and 38 ha (94 ac) of cold-water reservoirs.

A total of 86 SGCN are found (either observed or with potential habitat) within the COA, including 16 classified as Conservation Impact Species (I) and 19 as Current Focal Species (F) (Appendix G). Areas around the edges, but not in the centermost regions, of this COA, and north and, to some extent, south of this COA, may remain or become suitable for the pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) over the next 50 years. The southern half of this COA may represent a climate refugia for the banded rock rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus klauberi) through 2075, and areas south and northeast of this COA may remain or become suitable for this species over the same timeframe (NHNM 2024). This COA has high potential to contain microclimate refugia for birds in general and mammals and macroclimate refugia for aquatic species and terrestrial species in general (Table 11).

Related Resources

• Conservation Opportunity Areas section in SWAP document