--
Death Valley Ecosystems
An ecosystem is how it all works together. The geology of region provide for the plants, which provide for the animals that eat the plants and animals that eat these animals, all of which have adapted to the environment in which they live. Ecosystems may not be defined by hard boundaries, a line in the sand so to speak. They could end abruptly according to dramatic changes in terrain or composition of the soil, but, more often than not they may have a transition from one to the other. These transitions are called ecotones. Ecotones may include plant and animal species indicative of one or both ecosystems. These ecotones may sometimes be considered ecosystems in themselves.
Natural features & ecosystems include:
Faults & Geologic Formations
Faulting is the one of the main reasons Death Valley exists. Movement along faults allow the mountains to ...Weather and Climate
Death Valley is famous as the hottest and driest place in North America. Summer temperatures often top ...Plants
Despite its reputation as a lifeless wasteland, Death Valley National Park contains a great diversity of ...Wildlife
Despite those extremes it is home to a diverse amount of wildlife species: 56 mammals, 36 reptiles, ...Springs and Seeps
Wetland and riparian areas have a unique scientific value. The Death Valley / Ash Meadows area is a classic example of ...Geology
The landscape is so varied and extreme, one cannot help to wonder what events ...Sand Dunes
For dunes to exist there must be a source of sand, prevailing winds to ...Salt Flats
The salt flats in Badwater Basin cover nearly 200 square miles, among the largest ...Below Sea Level
To have exposed land below sea level, an extremely dry climate is ...Source - National Park Service
