The Vegas Voice 1-21

Mojave Desert Symbol Endangered
By: Kathy Manney / Around Our World
Admirers claim that, “Joshua Tree is a
must see place for anyone seeking beauty,
relaxation and nature.” Nonetheless, a study
conducted in 2019 by the University of California, Riverside found
Joshua Tree National Park will possibly be empty and bare by 2070
– that’s less than fifty years.
The Joshua tree, with distinctive twisted and warped branches, is a
Mojave Desert symbol. They are native to the park, but climate change
places them and their habitat in threat for survival.
As Southwestern deserts become hotter and drier, the Joshua Tree’s
environment of higher-elevation ecosystem is altering, causing the
plant to reseed farther north into higher elevations.
New trees are not coming up in their characteristic localities. Joshua’s
grow slowly - less than a few centimeters a year - that’s right, no more
than centimeters.
But the park has a high number of other varieties of trees and shrubs.
In fact, nearly 1,000 varieties of plant life make this is a horticultural
smorgasbord. The shrubs are amongst the most diverse in North
America.
When sweeping your gaze out across the wilderness, Joshua Tree
National Park is a place where lizards may gaze at you, and then skitter
off into shadowy cracks. The most common animals seen are lizards
and birds.
Elevations are from 536 to 5,814 feet, making this a rock climbing
Mecca. In the higher
elevations, the views
can be magnificent, but
its namesake Joshua
Tree is in danger of
extinction along with the
threatened desert tortoise
that makes their home
here.
The name Joshua
Tree is derived from
a legend of Mormon
settlers who believed the
tree reminded them of
the biblical story where
Joshua spread his hands to heaven in prayer. Joshua Tree was designated
a national monument in 1936 and became a national park in 1994.
An interesting fact is that the historic Route 66 runs through Joshua
Tree National Park.
Though it would be nice to say it isn’t so, Joshua Trees the very
Mojave Desert symbol are very much endangered. And, sadly for the
time being, not too much is known about how to undo this.
Kathy Manney enjoys visiting interesting places and being an
Adventure Diva. Her “Must See” travel journeys continue - always
with enthusiasm.
34
January 2021