Increasingly frequent and severe heat waves in the Southwest are damaging some desert plants known for thriving in harsh conditions. Saguaro cacti and agave have both suffered in sweltering weather ...

The desert biome is characterized by low precipitation, a high rate of evaporation (seven to fifty times as much as precipitation), and a wide daily range in temperature. The dramatic temperature ...

Desert ecosystems are some of the most richly diverse in the world and yet they are one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Deserts, which account for one-third of the earth’s land mass, ...

A new paper published in Biological Reviews has revealed the potential of desert ecosystems in the global fight against climate change. The review, led by Prof. Zeng Fanjiang from the Xinjiang ...

On Nov. 16, 2018, I received a most surprising email from Joe Zarki. Zarki was formerly the Chief of Interpretation at Joshua Tree National Park. Though now retired, he is still a dedicated naturalist ...

A study of a rare and common desert plant indicates solar development in the desert may impact rare species more. It also demonstrates the importance of taking the time to understand the ever-changing ...

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. Spotting a Mojave Desert tortoise is ...