THE MOJAVE AND COLORADO DESERT BIOSPHERE RESERVE

by Bill Tnresdell

Educational Bulletin #9O'4 A publication of the Edttor's Note: Thls ls the tlrst Desert Protective Council, Inc. ln o sertes on lhe Intematlonol Blosphere Re*nns ln the de*rts of the Unttd Stotes. Bill Truedell ts the Chtel Naturaltst lor Joshuo Trce Natlonol Monumenl

The Biosphere Reser,,re program Death Valley! Joshua Tree! Anza-Bonego! Santa Rosa Mountains produdion and culhralpractices. Educational, Scientific and and Deep Canyon Research Center! was conceived by the United Nations cultural organization (UNESCO) in l97l toaddress the problems program is organized in each country These are some of the reasons that the Moiave and colorado on an intemational basis. The Program (MAB)- fu of t987, Deserts Bosphere Reserye was dedicated in March of \97 5 by the under the Man and the Biosphere in 70 countries including 44 Director General of UNESCO and the United States' Secretary of there were over two hundrd reserves involved in the program State. It includes Death Vallefi and Joshtra Tree National Monu- in the United States. Forty other countries , ments, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the santa Rosa Moun- are considering designating ner reserves. tains Wildlife Managernent fuea and Deep Canyon Research Center. It is a unit of the International Biosphere Reserve System A MODEL BIOSPHERE RESERVE. under the united Nations' kograrn on Man and the Bosphere.

These terms may be nevu to you, so we'll define them briefly and MODEL BIOSPHERE RESERVE we'll describe inhoduce Srorr to a model Bosphere Resenre. Finalb, the Mojave and Colorado Desert Bosphere Reserve.

The biosphere is that veneer of the earth's cmst, waters and atmosphere that supports life. You are in the biosphere now. The only way you can leaveit is to fly into space or drill deep into the earth where no life adsts.

Each biospherq resqrve is nominated because it contains a unique portion of the biosphere representing forests, deserts, tundra, gmsslands, mountains or rtvq/TakeqTsterns. Each'is recognized as part of the international network of biosphere reslentes. This netr,trork of protded samples of the world's rnalor ecoq/stern ttpes Area scientific research in the E Erperlmenlal Research is devoted to consenration of nafure and H Eehabilitatlon Area service of man. It provides a standard against which the effect of S Senlement T Traditional Use Area man's impact on his environment can be measured."

WHY WERE BIPSPHERE RESERVES ESTABUSHED? At the center of the resewe is theg zone established to presierve In the late 1960s, seriotts world-rpide €nvironmental problems genetic materials and minimally disturbd areas characteristic of wererra:4nud, $& as acid rain, pollution of the earth's lakes, that partiorlan terreshial or coastal/marine region. It contains predators, or rivers and ocears, global walming, deforestatiors and desertifica- suffiient habitat for numerous species including diver- tion. It became increasingly evident that it was necessary to reverse centers of endenrism (Cralapagos Islands), or high biological these h€n&, to provide mitigation and rehabilitation and to sity Manu National Park in the Peruvian Andes), or wild progeni- partian- combine protection of nahrral resources with continuing use, tors of economic species or areas of interest for observing lar species, feafures or processes. A core area has secure legal mitigation prograrns have been established to protect vital areas protection and permits activities which do not adversely efled while sustaining the economic benefits of users (Coachella Valley natural proc€sses and wildlife. Preserve)and where compatible uses are encouraged (Santa Rosa

NoMojave Desert flyrng mainly above 3,000 feet JOSHUA TREE NAIONAL MONUMENT was chosen as a core elevation)and the Colorado Desert (lyrng mainly below 3,000 feet) area because two great desert ecosl;stems come togethdr in the had many worthy candidates. Death Valley and Joshua Tree 560,000 acre Monument. These two systems, primarily deter- National Monuments, the Eastem Moiave (now a scenic area), the mined by elevation, illustrate the dif- Kelso Dunes, the Granite Mountains, the Desert Tortoise Research ferences between high deserts and Nafural Area, the Westem Mojave Research Nafural Area, Artza- low deserts. Borrego Desert State Park, the Santa-Rosa Mountains Wildlife Management Area and Deep Canyon Research C-qfier were Below 3,000 feet, the Colorado nominated Desert in the eastem half of the Monument is dominated by creo- Howa.rer, only four core units were chosen; they had the legal sote bush. Ocotillo and jumping protection of Congressionaland State legislation: the two monu- cholla cactus are also found tnore ments; the state park and the research cstter. They had rich abundantly in this lower desert. The ,lodyur Trr representations of both of the two desert ecosl6tenrs, endemic higher, slightly cooler Mojave Des- plants and animals, numerous archeological and historic sites and ert., lying generally above 3,000 feet, is the specialhabitat of the encompassed topography rangng from below sea level to 11,000 Joshua Tre-e. A third ecos5ntem, the @ses, provide dramatic feet -Ihq olfqdboundless opporhmities for research, education, contrast to the arid surroundings. Five fan-palm oases dot the interpretation and the protection of species and genetic materials. Monument indicating where water occurs nafurally at or near the surface. Geological displap indude contorted mountains, granite SurrOunding these protected areas, buffer zones are available for monoliths, arro!,os, plalns, bajadas, alluvial fans, pediments, des- additional research, education, recreation, interpretation as well as ertrnmish, granites, apliteand gneiss. Earbinhabitanh, known as rwegitation and rehabilitation proiects. Pinto Man, lived along the slour-moving river in dry Pinto Basin.. Latu,Native Americans traveled in tune with the seasons harvest- Surrounding these core and buffer zones are thousands of acres of ing pinyons, mesquitebeans, acorrs and cactus fruit. Theyleft rock city, county, state and'federal lands where often-conflicting and paintings, ollas and stilldiscemable hails. damaging uses occur. Hotryeruer, some sophisticatd land vse/ the The opporfurrity for research and education, for conterrrplation, for are mandated to protect these categories state-wide. Wthin interpreting the desert systems and interdependency of their core ar@s, the task is easier, though legal protection does not species and the protection of genetic materials is dearly available. alwap assure continuity of species. The Monument provides Environmental Education programs in sheep neighboring communities, programs which teach about our place For olow desert, with its creosote, ocotillo and the Park thus diminishing exchange of genetic materials. various cacti. Over 600 species of ally, the Anza-Borrego herd is subject to diseases transmitted by plants are found within the Park of feral cattle which wander into the Park. which 40 are considered rare or endangered. Birds include 150 In Death Valley, five tgpes of pupfish occupy widely separated species, some of which migrate habitats and a

desert tortoise occupies large teni- Together with the Santa Rosa Wildlife Management Area, Anza- Unforhrnately, the threatened Mojave Desert, outside of the Monuments. Borrego Desert State Park offers unparalleled opportunities for re- tories in the westem nafural areas have been designated, search, protection of genetic resources and education. Though tortoise r5eqeand they are located in the transitional zone, far bqyond the legal and buffer zones, and, therelotearesubject In the final recommendations to the Man and the Biosph er e Dir ec- protection of the core Their numbers are declining and it torate, the SANTA ROSA MOUNTAINS WILDUFE MANAGE- to direct and indirect impacts. belisted as endangered in thenear MENT AREA was recommended for inclusion in the Mojave and is possiblethattheymayhaveto Colorado Desert Biosphere Reserve combined with Anza-Bonego. fufure. Operating within this area is the Deep Canyon Research Center. PBESERVATION OF THE NATIVE WAY OF UFE THE DEEP CANrON RESEARCH CENTER of the University of forms of land use and living are practiced in many Califomia, Riverside, is a part of the University's state-wide system. Traditional and are incorporated into biosphere reserves. In In concert with scientists from Canada, Ohio State and other units countries today uses and ctrstorp are mostly of the University q,tstern, it over-sees the United States, howaner, such have retained traditional dozens of short term proiects and cerernonial. Only a fa* Native Ametcans them. In the Moiave and marry long:tenn investigations (a mini- skills and knowledge,fatter stillpractice traditions and ways mum of nine y@rs, some manY Colorado Deserts Biosphere Reserve, native more.) It provides opportunity for are preserved and sfudied by archaeologists. scientists to conduct research under strictly controlled conditions. Re RESEARCH PROIECTS search at Deep Canyon embraces is being caniet out on: the concept of biosphere reserves fu In DEATH VALLff, research offering direction and networks for - Desert Bghom Sheep, a five-year study - Fault lines, tectonics, desert rvamish Ocotilo researi*l ild rnqitoring of resources - Desert pupfish within the core argas of the Moiave and Colorado Deserts bio- - Reopening of springs and installation of $zders sphere r&n e. At JOSHUA TREE, research is centering on: PRESERVATION OF DffiTING SPECIES

- Ozone iniury to resources of specific concern is the ned to presewe existing species, especially those which arerdreor endang erd. The U.S. Fish and - Desert tortoise Wildlife Serr.rice and the Califomia Department of Fish and Game Earb Human occupang, At ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK, TESEATCh iS fOCtTSEd ON: - Bighom sheep - Palm Oasis rwegitation - Removal of orotic (non-native)plants - Paleontology and past ecosystems

At DEEP CAI.{YON RESEARCH CENTER, long-term investigations include: - The social behavior and activity pattems of Kangaroo rats - The behavioral ecology and communications among grasshoppers - Interaction between palo verde seed pod production and beetle infestation - Water use and metabolism of agave and cactus

THE FUTURE OF THE MOJAVE A}'ID COLORADO DESERTS BIOSPHEBE BESERVE Death Valley and Jchua Tree National Mquments, Anza-Borrego D6€rt Shte Pask, tle Santa Rosa Mountain Wrldlife Marngiernent fuea take and Deep &ryon Researdr Ccnter will ccrtinue as the ccrre and bulfer areas where ffiring, educaticr, mcrltodng ard retrabilitation pluce. place Here is *trere longterm, ssffirable correcnnfion of +ecies and ecorystcns has to take in cooperatcr wi0l tlte bcal people and agencies. Enphasis is on ccrscrvation of genetic matetial for pracUcal ard problenronentated researdr, for general environmental education, Ior specialized tralning and, more generally, fo lar*u:e plaruring and sslalnable resoue development within the region

For more inmformation on biosphere reserves and For a 20'x 32' lnternational MAB activites and programs, write: Biosphere Reserve Map, U.S. MAB Secretariat send $1.00 to DPC Publications Department of State (10/UCS) 3750 El Canto Drive Washington, D.C. 20520 Spring Valley, CA 91977. or Phone (202) 632'2786 Make checks payable to: Biosphere Fleserve Maps.

Recycled Poper

CARRY PLENTY OFWATER OB S,ERVE DEs,ERT S ARVIVAL POLI CIES

Additional copies may be obtained as follows: Ztree: send stamped, self-addressed #10 envelope. 3-8: donation of $1 .00 suggested. 10 or more: special NE ,Esfir PRntEililc aurcL lk rates, inquire below. Educatlonal Bulletln #gM Write to: DPC PUBLICATIONS granted ' (pamission is h*eAY 3750 El Canto Dr., Spring Valley, CA920TI to rqroduce in whole or in Part) (please include Bulletin number or title)