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3 CA Deserts
Great Basin
Mojave
Colorado/Sonoran
Great Basin Location
Most North
In rain shadow of Cascade & Sierra Nevada Ranges

Mojave Desert Location
Middle, closest to us in SoCal
In rain shadow of Transverse Ranges

Colorado/Sonoran Desert Location
Most Southern
in rain shadow of Peninsular Ranges

Rain shadows are due to which mountain ranges?
Cascade
Sierra Nevada
Transverse
Peninsular

Desert characteristics
dryness
receive less than 10 in of precipitation
dry air is clear air with ~90% of sunlight reaching the surface — intense UV rays
wind
air rises when warmed and sinks when cool, so desert air moves rapidly and is windy
soils
dry & alkaline (high pH)
coarse (don’t hold water)
little organic matter
Sagebrush
Dominant plant of GB
Artemisia tridentata
leaf shape: tri = 3, dentata = teeth

Joshua Tree
Dominant plant of Mojave (1/2)
Yucca brevifolia
dominant at lower elevations

Creosote bush
Dominant plant of Mojave (2/2) & CD (1/4)

Agave
Dominant plant of CD (2/4)
CA native
slow growing
stiff, thick leaves; sharp edges & pointed end
sends up tall spike w/ yellow flowers at 20-24 yrs
attract hummingbirds & insects

Ocotillo
Dominant plant of CD (3/4)
very tiny leaves
conserve water
drop during dry periods
many spines — deter herbivores
reduce evaporation & conserves water
stem photosynthesis

Fan Palm
Dominant plant of CD (4/4)
at an oasis
