Embedded Files
In our mission to expand the existing knowledge about diverse desert ecosystems, we have created the following educational resources and made them publicly available for learning and enjoyment:
Fire in the Desert: A Study of Yucca Survival in Mojave
Fire in the Desert: A Study of Yucca Survival in Mojave
Following the 2020 Cima Dome fire, see how the unique landscape of California's Mojave National Preserve has changed over time. We created this Storymap to share our work that has documented the passive recovery of Eastern Joshua trees and banana yucca post-fire. You can publicly access the whole Storymap by clicking on the button below.
Coachella Valley Invasive Weeds Flier
Coachella Valley Invasive Weeds Flier
Invasive plant species can overtake native plant populations and drastically alter local ecosystems. To read more about invasive plants have taken root within the Coachella Valley and learn what you can do to help, please click on the image to the right and view the PDF.
Invasive Weeds Flier (1).pdfClimate Change in Coachella Valley Lecture
Climate Change in Coachella Valley Lecture
Check out a lecture Dr. Lynn Sweet gave at the Rancho Mirage Library alongside Director of Education Oscar Ortiz from our partners at Friends of the Desert Mountains! Delve into the ongoing climate change crisis, its global impacts, its local impacts, and possible solutions as we move forward in this time of change.
Coachella Valley Vegetation Guide
Coachella Valley Vegetation Guide
To better engage the community with natural landscapes in the Coachella Valley, we created a Coachella Valley vegetation guide discussing the importance of plant communities and highlighting different plant species native to the valley. Feel free to enjoy the guide by clicking on the image and viewing the PDF. To learn more, click on the button below to be redirected to our supplemental Storymap.
Vegetation Guide Pamphlet.pdfDe La Tierra Nacimos Guide
De La Tierra Nacimos Guide
For Latino Conservation Week, we supported Friends of the Desert Mountains in a guided hike by preparing a fun and bilingual nature guide that highlights plants, wildlife and Indigenous history of San Jacinto Mountain. Feel free to enjoy the guide by clicking on the image and viewing the PDF.
San Jacinto Nature Guide PDF.pdfJoshua Tree Seminar
Joshua Tree Seminar
To celebrate Arbor Day, the Sweet Lab co-hosted a webinar alongside UC Riverside's Office of Sustainability. We shared how climate change is impacting the iconic Joshua Tree, as well as native species living in Joshua Tree National Park. We also discussed desert conservation efforts in California.
Habitat Types in the Coachella Valley
Habitat Types in the Coachella Valley
The Coachella Valley is home to a variety of habitat types due to its unique climate and geology. One of the most threatened habitat types are the sand dunes, also known as aeolian habitat. “Aeolian” means “arising from from the activity of the wind”; our sand dunes are the result of the wind carrying sand primarily from source areas including the Whitewater Floodplain in the western part of the Valley and depositing it throughout the area. This creates distinct habitats, such as stable sand fields, active sand dunes, ephemeral sand fields, and mesquite hummocks. Other common habitat types in the Coachella Valley are scrublands and dry washes which occur due to the dry hot climate and aridland soils.
Aeolian Habitat Types
Scrublands
Species of the Coachella Valley
Species of the Coachella Valley
The species of the Coachella Valley have evolved to live in the harsh desert climate and sandy soil types. Below we have a few examples of both widespread and endemic species that can be found across the Coachella Valley.
Perennial Plants
Insects
Birds
Annual Plants
Reptiles
Mammals
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