Mojave Desert Biome
Ecosystems
Ecology: A branch of biology that deals with the relationships of organisms to one another and to their environments. - Ed.-
An ecosystem is a hierarchical set of open systems in which physical, chemical, and biological processes interact. Natural communities and their physical environment make up an ecosystem. This definition implies a whole unified by life processes. Ecosystems are living communities and interactive habitats.
Among ecosystems, some are microscopic, and the largest is the biosphere. Restoration can target different size ecosystems within the nested set, some of which cover multiple states, localized
watersheds, or smaller aquatic habitats.
In other words, every organism (including humans) is affected by and interacts with its environment. It is composed of a combination of living and non-living elements. In addition to energy, water, air, and substrates, non-living components include chemicals such as nutrients. Plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, and microorganisms are living elements. In some sense, we have an ecosystem when we combine both types of components and their interactions. -wf
California's Natural Diversity
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Its varied topography and climate have given rise to a remarkable diversity of habitats and a correspondingly diverse array
of both plant and animal species. California has more ...
Life at the Extremes
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The Mojave Desert, the driest and smallest of the North American deserts, occupies only ...
Desert Water Sources
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Spring, creeks, rivers, lakes, marshes & waterholes.
Ecosubsections
An area or region of land designated for study purposes that has distinct characteristics setting it apart from others. In the Mojave, two general ecosections, separated by geomorphic boundaries, are further classified into ecosubsections.Desert Ecosystems
A closer look at similar, but very different desert ecosystems in two of our desert national parksJoshua Tree National Park Ecosystems
Deserts host plants and animals living in what strikes many humans as oppressive environments. Solar energy that green plants convert into food
fuels life here. Although in most ecosystems plants compete for sunlight, here most plants are adapted to minimize the effects of too much solar
energy.
Death Valley National Park 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 ...
Habitats
Habitats are environments that are inhabited by a specific plant species or animal.Flora & Fauna
Specific plant and animal species, and communities within, and around desert ecosystems.Vegetation*
Within the environment lie the ecologies of biomes composed of habitats forming thier own environment. This is scaleable to all levels of environmental habitats. - Ed.Desert Habitat Summaries
Desert Habitats
Biome
A major biotic community characterized by the dominant plant life and the climate that generally prevails.
Ecology
The study of the natural interaction of organisms to one another within their environment.
Food Chains
A food chain, in ecology, is a hierarchical series of transfers of energy in an ecological community according to the order of predation using the next usually lower member as a food source. - Ed.
Ecosections
Last Chance Spring
Round-tailed Squirrel
