My research examined how post-wildfire sedimentation affects desert tinajas—natural rock pools that provide important aquatic habitat—in the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. Over several months of fieldwork, I measured sediment accumulation and pool volume at multiple sites, including areas used for Lowland Leopard Frog reintroduction. The project explored how wildfire-driven erosion can alter aquatic habitat by filling pools with sediment and reducing available water volume. My findings suggested that increased sedimentation may threaten habitat quality in fire-affected canyons, while less-impacted reference sites showed lower levels of sediment accumulation.

The project was completed as part of my AP Research work and was conducted with guidance from biologists and geoscientists working in southern Arizona. My data and final report were shared with National Park Service and Arizona Geological Survey researchers for potential use in continued watershed and habitat research.