Mojave Dessert Case Study

Presented by: Britson, Takura, Kunashe and Anopa

Situation
• The Mojave Desert is located in the southwestern United
States
• Primarily within southeastern California, it also extends
into parts of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.
• The desert is bounded by the Sierra Nevada mountain
range to the west and the Colorado Plateau to the east.
• Famous landmarks within the Mojave Desert include
Death Valley and the Joshua Tree National Park.
 Joshua
Visuals
Rock formations in Joshua
tree(exclusive
to Mojave dessert
National Tree Park

Sand dunes in death

Climate Statistics
Average daytime temperatures.
45
Degrees celsius

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
January February March April May June July August September October November December
 Average night Temperatures
30

25
Degrees celsius

20

15

10

0
January February March April May June July August September October November December
 Average Monthly Percipitation
4

3.5

3
Percipitation

2.5

2
mm

1.5

0.5

0
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Seasonal distribution of rain.
1. Winter Rainfall (December–March):
– Source: Most rainfall comes from Pacific Ocean winter storms.
– Amount: Light, steady rains spread over several days or weeks, contributing the majority of
the annual precipitation.
2. Summer Rainfall (July–September):
– Source: Summer rains are part of the North American Monsoon system.
– Amount: These rains are brief, intense downpours, often resulting in localized thunderstorms.
– Impact: Flash flooding is common as the desert's dry, compact soil struggles to absorb water.
• Rain Shadow Effect:
– The Mojave Desert lies in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains, reducing the
amount of moist air reaching the desert and limiting rainfall.
• Annual Precipitation:
– Average: The desert receives between 50 to 150 mm of rain annually, with significant
variability depending on location and year.
Effect of latitude on Mojave’s climate.

• Sun Angle and Intensity: Less intense solar heating

compared to the equator.
• Temperature Variations: Hot summers (over 38°C) and
cold winters (below 0°C at night).
• Precipitation Patterns: Very low rainfall, averaging less
than 50 mm annually, mostly in winter.
Effect of pressure systems.
• Weather: These systems bring clear skies and dry
conditions. The descending air in high-pressure areas
prevents cloud formation, leading to minimal precipitation.
• Temperature: High-pressure systems can cause
significant temperature variations between day and night.
Clear skies allow for intense daytime heating and rapid
nighttime cooling
Effect of distance from sea.
• Temperature Moderation:
– Coastal Influence: Areas closer to the sea experience milder temperatures
because the ocean acts as a buffer, absorbing heat during the day and
releasing it at night.
– Inland Extremes: The Mojave, being far from the sea, experiences more
extreme temperatures. Summers are very hot, while winters can be quite cold
• Humidity and Precipitation:
– Moisture Source: Proximity to the sea provides a source of moisture, leading
to higher humidity and more precipitation.
– Dry Conditions: The Mojave’s distance from the sea contributes to its arid
conditions, with very low annual rainfall (less than 50 mm)
• Daily Temperature Range:
– Smaller Range Near Coast: Coastal areas have a smaller daily temperature
range due to the moderating effect of the ocean.
– Larger Range Inland: In the Mojave, the lack of nearby water bodies results
in a larger daily temperature range, with hot days and cool nights
Effect of altitude
• Temperature
– Mojave’s Elevation: The Mojave Desert has varying elevations,
from around 610 meters to over 1,800 meters . Higher
elevations in the Mojave are cooler compared to lower areas
• Wind
– Impact on Mojave: Wind patterns in the Mojave can be
influenced by its varied topography, with higher elevations
experiencing more pronounced wind effects
Effect of ocean currents
• Temperature Regulation: Cold currents like the California
Current cool coastal regions, affecting inland climate
patterns.
• Moisture and Precipitation: Cold currents reduce humidity
and contribute to the Mojave’s arid conditions. They also
influence broader atmospheric patterns that affect rainfall.
• Wind Patterns: Ocean currents alter wind patterns,
impacting moisture transport and contributing to dry
conditions in the Mojave.
• The soil in the Mojave Desert is generally dry, sandy, and
low in organic matter. It often contains high levels of salts
and minerals, making it less fertile than soil in more
temperate environments.
– Water Retention: The arid conditions and porous nature of the
soil limit its ability to retain water, making it challenging for
vegetation to thrive.
– Nutrient Poor: The lack of organic material and nutrients in the
soil restricts the types of plants that can grow, favoring drought-
resistant species like succulents and shrubs.
• Natural Vegetation:
– The vegetation in the Mojave Desert has adapted to the harsh
climate and poor soil conditions, with plants exhibiting features
like drought resistance and water storage capabilities.
– Cacti (e.g., Joshua Tree): These are iconic desert plants that
conserve water through thick, fleshy stems or trunks and
shallow but widespread root systems to quickly absorb any
moisture.
– Shrubs and Grasses: Creosote bush and desert grasses
dominate, relying on minimal water and often going dormant
during extreme heat or drought.
– Ephemeral Plants: Some plants, like desert wildflowers, bloom
quickly after rain but complete their life cycle within a few
weeks, conserving energy during dry periods.
• Wildlife:
– The wildlife in the Mojave Desert has also adapted to the extreme
conditions, with species showing physiological and behavioral
adaptations to survive.
– Reptiles (e.g., Desert Tortoise, Mojave Rattlesnake): Reptiles are well-
suited to the heat, with thick skin to prevent moisture loss and behaviors
like burrowing to avoid the intense daytime temperatures.
– Mammals (e.g., Kangaroo Rat, Desert Coyote): Many mammals are
nocturnal, avoiding the heat of the day by being active at night. They
conserve water by getting moisture from food rather than drinking
directly.
– Birds (e.g., Roadrunners, Hawks): Birds play a key role in controlling
insect populations and act as scavengers or predators. Some, like the
roadrunner, are adapted to chase prey on the ground, while others,
like hawks, hunt small mammals.
 Interconnectedness of The Mojave Desert’s ecosystem

• The Mojave Desert’s ecosystem operates as a delicate balance where each

component supports the other:
• Vegetation stabilizes the soil and provides food and shelter for wildlife.
• Soil supports plant life, and its mineral content influences the types of
plants that grow.
• Climate dictates water availability, which directly influences plant and
animal life.
• Wildlife helps maintain plant populations through seed dispersal and
pollination, while also contributing to nutrient cycling through their waste.
• Disruptions to one element (like increased temperatures due to climate
change or habitat loss) can ripple through the system, affecting the overall
health of the ecosystem. For example, if extreme heat reduces plant growth,
it will impact food availability for herbivores, which in turn affects predators
Management and conservation in the Mojave dessert
• It has abandoned gold mines and small irrigated
pasturelands and croplands, it’s main use is to provide
urban ares and recreation.
• Citrus fruit, grapes and stone fruit are grown in Cadiz, an
irrigated area.
• There are also farms along the Colorado river.
• As well as Cattle ranches with irrigated pastures.
• The first big invasion was when Palm Springs became a
popular retreat for Hollywood film stars
• The population discovered the delight of spending
holidays in Palm Springs in winters when the climate is
more pleasant than in los Angeles
• Palm Springs is now home to more than 43000
inhabitants (tourists and retired people).
• It is like an green oasis surrounded by brown dessert and
mountains
• However
Effects of the human activities on the Mojave Dessert

• Lake Mead supplies 90% of the water, it was only half full
by 2009 and if emptied at the same rate it will be dry by
2020.
• Ground water levels are dropping due to it being tapped
by wells for agricultural activities.
• The dessert is also used for military bases and vegetation
is being damaged by off-road vehicles and w
Visuals