Botanical Diversity In The Mojave Desert

Breathe in. Close your eyes. That earthy aroma wafting from the desert valleys when it rains – that’s largely the smell of creosote bush, Larrea tridentata. This highly aromatic and remarkable plant serves as our sensory guide through these monsoonal days. Creo-soaked: The smell comes from the waxy coating on the plant’s leaves, a resin used for self-defense from predators and harsh UV rays. The creosote releases these oils which then fill the rainy air. Few animals can stomach the creosote’s oi

Smoke trees (also known as... - Mojave Desert Land Trust

Joshua trees are icons of the... - Mojave Desert Land Trust

The Mojave Desert | What On Earth

Send it, desert bighorn sheep! Witnessed by a Mojave Desert Land Trust wildlife corridor camera on the border of Joshua Tree National Park, the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) is seen here overlooking a landscape divided by human development. Though masters of the mountains, these migratory mammals are struggling. Their naturally historic travel routes now contend with the relatively recent advent of cars, houses, and city lights. The high, steep peaks of the desert mountains offe