Joshua trees
Coverage of Joshua trees in the Nexus archive.
- Thousands of Joshua trees are dying as the Mojave region develops. They must be saved
Thousands of Joshua trees in the Mojave Desert are threatened by human expansion, solar farms, mining projects, and climate change. These trees, critical to the region's ecosystem and economy, could face extinction by 2100, impacting species like the desert tortoise and pallid blue dotted butterfly.
- Scientists find thriving fungi, a hopeful sign where 1.3 million Joshua trees were burned
Scientists discovered thriving fungi in the soil of a burned Mojave Desert area where 1.3 million Joshua trees were destroyed by the 2020 Dome Fire. The fungi, which help plants absorb nutrients and survive harsh conditions, remained resilient despite the fire, offering hope for ecosystem recovery. The study, led by UC Riverside's Sydney Glassman, highlights the importance of these underground networks for Joshua tree survival.