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Smallest of the four North American deserts, the Mojave is a land of extremes, with common high velocity winds sweeping its basalt mountains, desert plains, playas, sand dunes, marshlands, and sinks. Elevations range from -282 feet—lowest in the North America—to over 11,000 feet; several large basins, including Death Valley, lie below sea level. Annual precipitation averages less than 5 inches with most coming during the winter. Summer temperatures in the Mojave Desert Ecoregion can reach 160 degrees F, while in winter temperatures drop to subfreezing.
Mojave Desert
© Kristen H. Berry |
Ecological Importance:
The topography of basin and range in the ecoregion results in a transition of plant communities from the valley bottoms, which are dominated by creosotebush, to mountain tops which may contain pinyon and juniper. The basins contain several large sand dune complexes with unique plants and reptiles. In addition, riparian oases in the Mojave have relatively high numbers of endemic, unique fish (like the woundfin minnow and Virgin River chub) and butterflies and moths.
Conservation Concerns:
Non-native, invasive species; overuse of surface and groundwater; urban and ex-urban development; off-highway vehicle use; inappropriate livestock grazing; hardrock mining.
Left: coyote. © Cecil Schwalbe
Top right: Collard lizard. © Cecil Schwalbe
Bottom right: Eucride, Whitemore wash. © Peter Warren/TNC | |
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© The Nature Conservancy |
Ecoregion Facts
- Size: 33 million acres
- Location: Southeastern California, southern Nevada, extreme southwestern Utah, and northwestern Arizona
- Animals: 35 fish species (22 of which are imperiled). Twenty-one species of amphibians, including rare relict leopard frogs and Armagosa toads. More than 30 species of snail, with many found only in one or two isolated locations. Endangered or threatened birds such as the southwestern willow flycatcher, yellow-billed cuckoo, and Bell's vireo inhabit limited riparian areas.
- Plants: The Joshua Tree, an endemic yucca, is emblematic of the Mojave. Of the 250 ephemeral plant species there, which respond to favorable winter rains, 90 are unique to the ecoregion. Desert plant communities such as smoketree and crucifixion thorn shrublands are prevalent. Numerous species restricted to dune systems.
Strategies and Actions:
Engaging agencies in cross-jurisdictional public-lands management strategies; free-market incentives for livestock management problems; coordination of regional habitat conservation plans
Places to Visit:
Mojave National Preserve, Anza Borrego State Park, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Mount Charleston, Virgin River, Muddy River, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Pahranagat River Valley. |
