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Mojave Desert (WWF ecoregion NA1308)


Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree), Nevada (c) 2004 Maurice J. Kaurmann


Source of bioregions data: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.

Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 2 (regionally outstanding)
The elevation ranges from below sea level in Death Valley to over 1600m on some mountains with most of the bioregion at elevations from 600 to 1200m.  This results in cold, dry conditions.  The bioregion includes distinct endemic communities and many species of endemic ephemeral plants.*

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 4 (relatively stable)
About 50% remains as intact habitat.  Threats include urbanization, grazing, off-road vehicles, and military activity.*

Characteristic species*
Larrea tridentata (creosote bush)
 
Atriplex polycarpa (all-scale)
 
Encelia farinosa (brittlebush) (c) 2004 Maurice J. Kaurmann
 
Atriplex hymenelytra (desert holly)
Hymenoclea salsola (burrobush)
 
Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)
 
Mendora spinescens (spiny mendora)
Cassia armata (desert senna)
Psorothamnus arborescens (Mojave dalea)
Acamptopappus shockleyi (goldenhead)
 
 

Some views from the ecoregion

Desert vegetation, Death Valley, California

Desert vegetation, Death Valley, California Desert vegetation, Death Valley, California Desert vegetation, Death Valley, California Desert vegetation, Death Valley, California Desert vegetation, Death Valley, California
 (c) 2005 Daniel P. Duran   hires   hires   hires   hires   hires
 

Desert washes, Death Valley, California

Desert wash, Death Valley, California Desert wash, Death Valley, California Desert wash, Death Valley, California Desert wash, Death Valley, California
 (c) 2005 Daniel P. Duran   hires   hires   hires   hires
 

Mountain slopes, Death Valley, California

Mountain slope, Death Valley, California Mountain slope, Death Valley, California
 (c) 2005 Daniel P. Duran   hires   hires

Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) , Death Valley, California

Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) , Death Valley, California Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) , Death Valley, California Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) , Death Valley, California Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) , Death Valley, California
 (c) 2005 Daniel P. Duran   hires   hires   hires   hires

Evaporation flats, Death Valley, California

Evaporation flats, Death Valley, California Evaporation flats, Death Valley, California
 (c) 2005 Daniel P. Duran   hires   hires

 

 

* Ricketts, T.H., E. Dinerstein, D.M. Olson, C.J. Loucks, et al.  (1999) Terrestrial Ecoregions of North America: A Conservation Assessment.  World Wildlife Fund - United States and Canada.  Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 335-337.

Except as noted, images copyright 2002-2004 Steve Baskauf - Terms of use