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RIO GRANDE

RIO GRANDE

The Rio Grande marks the international border between the USA and mainland Mexico. It cuts across the Chihuahuan Desert, separating the larger (Mexican) part of this desert from the smaller part in southern Texas (right-hand side of this image) and the state of New Mexico. The images above and below show a narrow corridor of lush, riparian vegetation dominated by reeds and willows in the river floodplain, contrasting with the arid landscape of the rest of this desert.


View across the Rio Grande from Texas to the town of Boquitas (Mexico). The nearside river bank is dominated by giant reed (Arundo donax) - a plant that can grow about 6 metres tall and spreads by rhizomes. It is an invasive alien species (native to India) which was introduced into the USA in the early 1800s. By its rapid growth, localised spread by rhizomes and the carriage of plant fragments along the river courses, this plant out-competes the native riverbank vegetation.

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