Anthropogenic Desert Encroachment

1
Anthropogenic Desert Encroachment

• In order to understand Encroachment you have to
  break the word down, Enc and roachment.What Do
  These Words Mean? It Is a Mystery and So Too Is
  Encroachment

2
What Are the Problems?

• Human encroachment into the Mojave has caused
  several species and natural habitats to suffer as
  a result of poor management and irresponsibility.
• Human interaction has compromised the natural
  beauty of this truly unique area with
  construction of various structures, increased
  fire incidence, and off-road activities.
• Currently several attempts are still being made
  to add to the further destruction of the Mojave
  such as urban sprawl, military expansion, airport
  and rail construction, etc.

3
Urban Encroachment

• Expansion of urban areas can have many adverse
  affects on habitats in the Mojave.
• Recreation, exotic plants, garbage, noise and
  light are all factors that increase destruction
  of the delicate ecosystem.

4
Linear Corridors

• Roads
• Railroads
• Gas Lines
• Phone Lines
• Power Lines

5
Off Road Vehicles

• Off road vehicles can cause severe damage to the
  ecosystem. Effects include soil compaction,
  increased erosion, noise, and destruction of
  vegetation.

6
Invasive Animals

• Burros
• 
  Ravens
• Cattle

7
Invasive Plants

• Exotic invader species such as the tamarisk,
  Russian thistle and split grass compete with
  native species for already scarce resources in
  the desert.
• These species also cause the probability of
  wildfires to increase since they are more
  combustible than the native vegetation.

8
Military Effects

• Since the 1940s the Mojave has been a popular
  place for military training.
• Four military installations are currently
  operating in the Mojave.
• Attempts to expand Fort Irwin into critical
  desert tortoise habitat have been very
  controversial.

9
Mining Problems

• Environmental effects of mining are primarily
  local. However, fugitive dust and toxic tailings
  are of concern to the desert habitat.
• Other concerns include increased wind erosion
  near dry lake mines and cyanide extraction gold
  mines.
• In the late 1990s the Molycorp Mountain Pass
  Lanthanide mine attempted to expand. This is
  widely considered to be the largest toxic
  pollution site in Southern California.

10
Anthropogenic Fire

• Fires in the Mojave were very infrequent before
  anthropogenic effects set in.
• Recently BLM statistics show that fire incidence
  has risen sharply due to invader species
  increased combustibility and human
  irresponsibility.

11
Airport Plans

• Ten miles northeast of the preserve is the site
  of a proposed international airport.
• Air traffic would degrade the scenic views,
  natural quiet, and night sky of the Mojave.

12
Species in Danger

• Bighorn Sheep
  Milk-vetch
• Barrel Cactus Desert
  Tortoise

13
The Phone Booth

• Before
• After
• The Number 760-733-9969

14
Recovery Outlook

• The Mojave may take centuries to fully recover
  from the many adverse conditions it has been
  subjected to. If all of the effects discussed
  here are not minimized soon, the desert may never
  fully recover.
• The Desert Protection Act and various other
  efforts have given the Mojave a chance at
  recovery.
• However, there are many current threats to the
  desert that will have to be handled with extreme
  caution if we hope to preserve the Mojave for
  future generations.