Environmental Issues

Mojave National Preserve was established by the congress in 1994 under the California Desert Protection Act. It is located in Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County of Southern California between 35 and 36 North latitude and 115 and 117 East longitude. Kelso Depot is the notable landmark to reach this preserve from the Interstate highways.  Mojave landscape comprises of 1.6 million acres of park and houses four deserts and mountain peaks ranging from 750 feet to 7700 feet. It serves as home for a variety of native flora and fauna. Bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, desert tortoises, rattle snakes, ox, golden eagles etc. are the predominant animal species while desert plants like Yucca, Joshua and Creosote contribute to the vegetation in this area. Human movement across this area increased considerably with the construction of I15 to I40 Interstate. However, human activities in this tract of land date back to around 12,000 years, and this land has been the home to native Mojave Indian Tribe. The archeological survey stands testimony to traces of trade routes, agriculture and even mining. The existence of Petro glyphs and pictographs on the rocks mark the presence of the people who were part of the natural cycle of plants and animals, moving around and hunting for their survival.

Human presence has affected the biogeochemical cycles in this area in many ways. Huge cities such as Los Angeles are in close proximity to this Preserve. The city has been fast expanding in to this desert, thereby reducing the area in consideration. Military presence, mining works, upcoming constructions and land dumps have caused considerable damage to the ecological system in this region. Four huge military bases, covering around 50 miles, have also been set up in this area which has caused the desert inhabitants to move away. The farms earlier within the preserve are now moving towards the Colorado River. Increased vehicular movement in the west of Barstow, where population has considerably risen, has also caused much damage to the ecological system in the preserve. These factors have resulted in the destruction of the desert plants which have relatively shallow roots. A large number of wells are being dug to cater to the needs of the civilization from the cities and to meet the agricultural demand. This has also served a reverse effect by reducing the water table content in this area. Despite of all these human intrusion, the preserve remains intact for at least 50 of the designated area. What remains is not just sand dunes and inhospitable mountains, but also ghost towns, volcanic craters and lava, historic sites and buildings, various other unusual geological features and even a diverse range of wildlife.

It is interesting to note the ecological sustenance and adaptation by the Mojave dwellers. The vegetation has grown denser since 1970s owing to increased precipitation. The climate over this region has been quite dynamic in the past century, which has drastically impacted the landscape, flora and fauna. The animals are often seen with light colored fur as protection against the torrid sun. The Desert tortoises choose to survive on plants during the spring and are capable of storing large quantities of water for the extreme times. Plants have shallow roots which help them absorb maximum rainwater, spines to store water and thorns to protect themselves.

Knowledge about the Mojave area increased considerably after it was designated as a National Preserve following the California Desert Protection Act in 1994. This law aimed to bring a greater tract of desert land under the preserve to maintain ecological balance. However, this publicity has increased human involvement in terms of care-takers and visitors which could adversely affect the natural genre of this preserve. The extensive research about the reserve has helped the authorities largely in terms of its management and restoration. These studies helped to clearly demarcate the boundaries of preserve, wilderness management aimed to utilize and enjoy the wilderness by American people which includes the protection of wilderness character, Fire Management, knowledge about degenerated lands owing to increased human activity like half-used mines and hazardous disposals and finally Non-Federal land and external development. There is a rare and unique eco-system existing in America, and all human effort should be directed in preserving and safeguarding .