--
Mojave Desert Ecozone: Nature Trail
Cap Rock
In the Land of Little Rain
The Mojave Desert, called by Mary Austin "the land of little rain", is located between the higher, colder Great Basin Desert and the lower warmer Sonoran Desert. Because of its intermediate elevation, much of the year the land bakes in the hot, dry air, but winters can mean snow and freezing nights. Heat and arid winds combine to evaporate most available moisture. How does anything survive? Due to some unique adaptations, many plants and animals are able to meet the challenges of this harsh land.
Nature Trail
.4 mile loop - Paved, wheelchair accessible. Begins in Cap Rock parking area at junction of Park Blvd. and Keys View Road.Peachthorn
Many Mojave Desert plants, such as this peachthorn, Lycium cooperi, may look dead ...Desert Almond
The leaf structures of most desert perennials are modified in some way to ...Mormon Tea
Mormon tea, Ephedra spp., has gone a step further. It has dispensed with ...Microhabitats
In areas around large boulder piles, vegetation is thicker and more diverse ...Galleta Grass
In the more arid flats, wide spacing is a solution to survival. This reduces ...Mojave Yucca
Most desert insects make use of plants. Sometimes the plants also ...Lichens
On boulders may live some colorful lichens, a "marriage" of algae and ...Wanted - Dead or Alive
The Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia, living or dead, has a large role in the ...Joshua Tree with Offshoots
Joshua trees can reproduce in two ways. Seeds produce tender seedlings that ...Cactus
Unlike the Sonoran Desert, the cacti species found here, such as silver cholla, ...Juniper
The basic adaptation of desert perennials is the ability of their roots to ...Annuals
Annual wildflowers are drought escapers, able to wait out years of drought as ...Designed for Desert Living
Life in the desert is possible as long as all residents adjust to ...next >
Gram Parsons
