Joshua tree (yucca brevifolia)
The Joshua tree is one of the most characteristic trees of the Mojave Desert. The Joshua tree grows from Southern California, Mexico, and western Arizona eastward into southern Nevada and southwestern Utah. It is characterized by its single stem and extending branches. They reach heights of 16 feet to 49 feet (5-15 metres) These trees live long and grow slowly and have a 5-month vegetation period between the winter and spring seasons.
The Joshua tree is one of the most characteristic trees of the Mojave Desert. The Joshua tree grows from Southern California, Mexico, and western Arizona eastward into southern Nevada and southwestern Utah. It is characterized by its single stem and extending branches. They reach heights of 16 feet to 49 feet (5-15 metres) These trees live long and grow slowly and have a 5-month vegetation period between the winter and spring seasons.
Mesquite (proposis pubescens)
The mesquite tree comes in three different types: the screwbean mesquite, the velvet mesquite, and the western honey mesquite. All three types are very hardy and well suited for drought-like weather, making them thrive in southern California and western Arizona. The mesquite tree can grow up to 20-30 feet. The mesquite has a very strong ability of regeneration, being able to regenerate itself from only a root in the ground (down to 6 inches) The mesquite grows many single, small flowers that blossom into small yellow clusters, which attract pollinators like bees.
The mesquite tree comes in three different types: the screwbean mesquite, the velvet mesquite, and the western honey mesquite. All three types are very hardy and well suited for drought-like weather, making them thrive in southern California and western Arizona. The mesquite tree can grow up to 20-30 feet. The mesquite has a very strong ability of regeneration, being able to regenerate itself from only a root in the ground (down to 6 inches) The mesquite grows many single, small flowers that blossom into small yellow clusters, which attract pollinators like bees.
Arrow weed (plucea sericea)
The arrow weed grows in desert habitats, like southern California and western Arizona. They are tall and willow-like. The branches of these plants are very straight and shaft-like, which gave the Natives of the land the idea to make arrow shafts out of the branches of the shrub. Any arrow weed that was not stripped of its leaves and made into an arrow shaft was used in making granaries for food storage, and making other structures.
The arrow weed grows in desert habitats, like southern California and western Arizona. They are tall and willow-like. The branches of these plants are very straight and shaft-like, which gave the Natives of the land the idea to make arrow shafts out of the branches of the shrub. Any arrow weed that was not stripped of its leaves and made into an arrow shaft was used in making granaries for food storage, and making other structures.
Creosote bush (larrea tridentata)
The creosote bush is a prevalent shrub in the Mojave, Chihuhuan, and Sonoran deserts. The creosote shows up in 35 to 46 million acres of land in southwest USA, and covers 70% of the Mojave desert. The creosote bush is a very useful plant for the animals of the southwest deserts. Desert reptiles and amphibians use them as food, and animals like the kit fox and kangaroo rat make their dens inside or under the creosote and it can even be used by humans to treat at least 14 (documented) illnesses.
The creosote bush is a prevalent shrub in the Mojave, Chihuhuan, and Sonoran deserts. The creosote shows up in 35 to 46 million acres of land in southwest USA, and covers 70% of the Mojave desert. The creosote bush is a very useful plant for the animals of the southwest deserts. Desert reptiles and amphibians use them as food, and animals like the kit fox and kangaroo rat make their dens inside or under the creosote and it can even be used by humans to treat at least 14 (documented) illnesses.
INVASIVE SPECIES
Invasive species in the Mojave have caused many problems for the desert animals, plants, and desert itself. Many invasive types of annual desert grass like the bromus, schismus and brassicus plants have caused the area to significantly change, making the entire desert area much more susceptible to fires and ultimately, much higher temperatures. Another cause of invasive species have caused the native plants in the area to move and reduce food and shelter supplies for the wildlife. Many Mediterranean and Asian plants, like the brome and Arab grasses have come to the Mojave desert, which have caused the native species of plant to be taken over and moved to other locations, causing the wildlife to be depleted of many of its food resources and many of its forms of shelter, specifically the kangaroo rats and kit fox, who rest and nest under the creosote bush. The mesquite roots can reach down to 160 feet to reach all the underground water sources, allowing the plant to survive in an area of the desert with little water available.
ADAPTATIONS OF THE PLANTS IN THIS REGION
The plants of the Mojave have adapted over the years to survive in the blisteringly hot climates and extreme temperatures and weather of the desert. The mesquite plant is one of these examples of adaptation in plants in the desert, as it has adapted to have a very strong regenerative period, in case of flash fires caused by invasive species and very hot temperatures. The mesquite can regenerate from only a single root 6 inches in the ground, allowing a mesquite tree to survive even if every other part of the tree is burnt down in the heat. Another adaptation is done by the California Fan Palm Oases. These oases can switch between the water sources it uses, allowing it to survive even when the water on the surface has all been used, or all evaporated. The California fan palm can use the underground sources of water in case of emergency, keeping it alive throughout evaporation. The mesquite roots can reach down to 160 feet to reach all the underground water sources, allowing the plant to survive in an area of the desert with little water available. |
PYRAMID OF ENERGY (FOOD CHAIN)
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS
There are many symbiotic relationships in the Mojave. One of these being the commensalistic relationship between the mesquite tree and many pollinators in the desert. A unique symbiotic relationship to this region is between the Mojave yucca and the yucca moth, who pollinate the plant. The Mojave yucca relies on the yucca moth to pollinate its seeds, as they are the only pollinators to this plant, meaning if there is a low supply of pollinators for the Mojave yucca, there is a chance of no reproduction happening for these plants. And while the yucca moth are in their larvae stage, they eat the seeds of the Mojave yucca, feeding and helping the larvae grow. The symbiotic relationship between the Mojave yucca and their pollinators, the yucca moth, is a mutualistic relationship.
SUCCESSION
PRIMARY SUCCESSION: starts off with a sand dune or a fresh lava flow and then waves of bacteria or seeds come and start the growth period. These seeds/bacteria plant the roots, and these roots break through and break down the rock underneath, exposing the fresh soil to the surface. After the fresh soil is exposed and the roots are set, the desert plants, grasses and shrubs can begin to grow.