In the Sonoran Desert and nearby landscapes, the scientists found, vegetation cover declined much more sharply than drought or wildfires alone could explain. “We already have creeping warming with seasonal highs of 100 degrees from May to September,” Jorgensen pointed out. “Scientific projections for climate crisis in the deserts are, not so much about an increase in summer temperature highs, but a much more prolonged season, like six months, of intense heat,” he said. In addition, landscaping, native shrubs and trees shelter each other and keep ecosystems intact. Ground cover shrubs, plants and trees provide shelter and some relief from the burning sun for the desert’s insects, reptiles, toads, birds, and mammals that struggle to make it through the hot months,” explained Jorgensen. “Natural rocks, and people things, like cement, asphalt roads, roof tops, buildings, and carbon from cars and electrical uses, refract, reflect and fuel the heat.
“When the air temperature is 124 degrees, the ground temperature, which plants and animals, and barefoot humans experience, is a scorching 175-190 degrees,” he said. The air pressure on land creates a higher surface temperature, creating radiant heat at ground level. “Going up S2, and Montezuma Grade, one can see the progression of the dying shrubs on the lowland, which appears to be the edge of the sustainable habitat, to the healthier varieties on higher grades.” “I’ve seen exposed, dying tree roots, even among desert-adapted trees and shrubs, like California Junipers. The park has lost the elephant trees on the lower levels of the trail,” Jorgensen said. Or, if you thought that science-based climate change was a hoax, this report probably won’t change your mind. However, since these plants have no replacements, there will be lots more sand in which to bury your heads.Īfter analyzing more than three decades of satellite data, a group of scientists from the University of California, Irvine, found a 37.5% decline in native vegetation in a study that encompassed 5,000 acres of the Southern California Sonoran Desert, from the Mexican border north across Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to Palm Springs, where plants such as creosote bush, yucca, ocotillo and mesquite grow.īorrego resident Mark Jorgensen, a former naturalist for California State Parks at Anza-Borrego, and a resource ecologist, with 36-year park career ending as the superintendent, believes that desert natives and even xeriscape landscaping are being dangerously stressed by the current rise in desert temperatures. Alarming new research shows nearly 40% of Anza-Borrego Desert plants are dying due to the increase in temperatures, and prolonged drought. Well, according to a newly released report, it’s not just bad, it’s getting worse. Hey, it’s already a desert, how bad can it get? Living in Borrego and the amazing Sonoran Desert that surrounds the community, you probably thought the desert was heat tolerant and immune to global warming. Anza Trail Passport Stamp #13 is also located inside the visitor center.Visitors gather to see wildflowers in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Par in 2019k.
The park's visitor center (200 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs) features interpretive exhibits on the desert ecosystems and the Cocopah and Cuahilla. These trails provide a rare opportunity to precisely follow in the footsteps of the expedition surrounded by terrain that has changed little since the group's passage. The park contains two stretches of Anza's route. The campsites are both marked with California Historic Landmark plaques.
Traveling up the creek and canyon, the expedition's next camp (#53) was at Santa Catarina, situated at Lower Willows. The site is a short distance to the east of the Desert Gardens portion of the park created by the Anza-Borrego Foundation and Institute. With plentiful water from the creek and a little pasturage nearby, the animals recovered from their long desert passage and the colonists could rest. The Anza expedition camped here from December 20 to 22, 1775 (historic campsite #52) along Coyote Creek at El Vado (The Ford). It is located on the traditional homelands of the Cocopah and Cuahuilla. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest of the California State Parks and protects a crossroads of desert landscapes and ecosystems.
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