Mohavi Desert
 

Environmental Issues
 
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There are a few environmental issues that pertain to the Mohavi Desert.  To start, desertification which is the process by which land becomes desert.  It affects a huge amount of land.  The causes include overgrazing, inappropriate irrigation practices, and over cultivation.

Environmental Problems in this Biome

Problem 1

Off Road Vehicles

 

 There are a few ATV tours that you can take in the Mohavi Desert.  And with all of these vehicles driving all over the desert terrain, it damages many plants and even some animals homes.  For example, the succulents and cacti have thick, fleshy stems and leaves that store their water.  Their roots, not only go down deep into the ground to search for water, but also they lie close to the surface.  And with all the ATV's cruising around, they often catch the roots with its wheels and then destroy the plant.  It is a very common thing that happens.  The people should stay on the trails designated for them and their vehicle.   One animal that is being greatly affected is the desert tortoise which is now an endangered animal due to the destruction of their homes by these vehicles.

Problem 2 
Human Development

 With residential construction and development continuing in the Mohavi, the land that was once desert is slowly transforming into small towns and even huge cities, like Las Vegas. 

Problem 3 
Irrigation

 The last problem I will discuss is irrigation.  The water needed to grow crops and plants out in the desert comes from dams or ditches that are artificially made.  For example the Hoover Dam was built in order to supply water to farms and crops.

Benefits vs. Risks to Environment
Benefits Risks
  • Tourism

 

  • Income of millions of dollars a year from Las Vegas

 

  • Learning about the environment
  • Damages land

 

  • Killing of endangered animals

 

  • Plants that are prized by collectors, who selectively remove them, often endangering plant populations

Future of Biome if Environmental Problems Aren't Solved

If these problems aren't solved then the desert of tomorrow will be nothing compared to the desert of today.  We are destroying and ruining our deserts now, but what we have done can be fixed with some work.  If we can maintain the desert to its proper condition, all will be well.  Many plants and animals will become endangered because of all the pollution and or off road vehicles.  

 

What can Humans do to Correct Environmental Problems?

Humans can correct these problems by simply caring and thinking about the environment over making an easy $buck.  Instead of building a town with hotels and casinos, they can either build it somewhere else or take the proper precautions of building in the desert so that the environment isn't harmed.  

 

What can Outsiders do to Protect this Biome?

Education is a thing that many tour companies can give to their tourists.  If they inform them of the problems that are occurring in the desert, then they can be careful and not do the harm that they are doing now. 

 

Links and Bibliography

[write the sources that you have used in writing this page.  If they are library books write as you would a bibliography.  If they are WWW sites list the site and link to it]
web page created by [your name], student at Andrew HS, Tinley Park IL; last updated on 05/18/00