joshua tree
Newsletter
Credit: Iswarya Muthukumar/Unsplash
California scrambles to save Joshua trees as climate and wildfires intensify
In California’s Mojave Desert, rising temperatures, wildfires and invasive grasses are devastating Joshua trees, prompting state officials to create refuges and stricter regulations to protect the species.
In short:
- Recent wildfires have killed millions of Joshua trees, especially in Mojave National Preserve, altering vital desert ecosystems.
- Climate change threatens Joshua trees by increasing temperatures, reducing rainfall and fueling the spread of invasive, flammable grasses.
- California's new Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act aims to safeguard the species by controlling development and protecting key habitats.
Key quote:
“The temperature is important, but rainfall is really important. If you couple higher temperatures and drier conditions, you are screwed.”
— Cameron Barrows, retired research ecologist, UC Riverside
Why this matters:
Joshua trees are a keystone species in the Mojave Desert, supporting diverse wildlife. Their loss would not only devastate ecosystems but also signal severe impacts from climate change in arid regions.
In short:
- Recent wildfires have killed millions of Joshua trees, especially in Mojave National Preserve, altering vital desert ecosystems.
- Climate change threatens Joshua trees by increasing temperatures, reducing rainfall and fueling the spread of invasive, flammable grasses.
- California's new Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act aims to safeguard the species by controlling development and protecting key habitats.
Key quote:
“The temperature is important, but rainfall is really important. If you couple higher temperatures and drier conditions, you are screwed.”
— Cameron Barrows, retired research ecologist, UC Riverside
Why this matters:
Joshua trees are a keystone species in the Mojave Desert, supporting diverse wildlife. Their loss would not only devastate ecosystems but also signal severe impacts from climate change in arid regions.
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Credit: Gretchen Spencer/Unsplash
Camels aid in Joshua tree restoration efforts
In a novel approach to environmental restoration, camels are being used to transport Joshua tree sprouts across the Mojave Desert's burn scars.
In short:
- The Mojave Desert's Joshua trees, devastated by wildfires and climate change, are struggling to naturally regenerate.
- Human volunteers and camels are collaborating to plant and water Joshua tree sprouts, aiding their spread across large burn scars.
- This unique method echoes the historical role of large mammals in seed dispersal and offers a creative solution to current ecological challenges.
Key quote:
"Even if they are only a small part, camels bring a certain je ne sais quoi to the event that adds a mix of absurdity plus practicality."
— Brendan Cummings, conservation director, Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
By reintroducing large mammals for seed dispersal, we not only aid in the recovery of the iconic Joshua tree but also demonstrate a creative approach to adapting conservation strategies in the face of climate change.
If there is anywhere in the nation that holds the promise to inspire unified action on climate change, it is the national parks.
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Newsom administration offers legislation to protect western Joshua tree
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration on Wednesday proposed the first legislation focused on protecting a climate-threatened species while also permitting development across Southern California’s sunniest desert parcels.
Climate change is threatening Joshua trees - California will decide whether to protect them
Joshua trees have thrived in the Mojave desert for 2.5 million years, but scientists are worried about their future, and whether they’ll survive the hotter temperatures and drier conditions climate change is bringing.
Heat and drought are killing our forests
In many places, forests are no longer regenerating on their own. Some of the world’s most significant stands are instead transitioning to something new. Some will never be the same. Others may not come back at all.
Newsletter
www.californiacitynews.org
A Joshua Tree without the trees? How climate change is transforming California’s deserts
Climate change is threatening some of the most iconic plant life in California and could eventually transform our beloved desert communities.
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