Case studies in Climate Change Trends

references:

https://blog.nature.org/science/2018/10/09/the-mystery-of-the-dying-mesquites/

"Recent studies show that Joshua trees are dying off because of hotter, drier conditions, with very few younger trees becoming established. Even greater changes are projected over the coming decades. Scientists earlier this year projected that the Joshua tree will be largely gone from its namesake national park by the end of the century."

"The western Joshua tree is also threatened by habitat loss and degradation. Outside of Joshua Tree National Park, off-road vehicle use, cattle grazing, powerlines and pipelines and large-scale energy projects are destroying habitat. Approximately 40 percent of the western Joshua tree’s range in California is on private land, with only a tiny fraction protected from development. Current projections show that virtually all of this habitat will be lost without stronger legal protections for the trees.

The Joshua tree has recently been recognized as composed of two distinct species, the western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) and the eastern Joshua tree (Y. jaegeriana). The two species occupy different areas of the desert, are genetically and morphologically distinguishable, and have different pollinating moths."

References:

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2021/03/joshua-trees-uncertain-future-mojave-desert-icon

https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/state-endangered-species-protection-sought-for-californias-joshua-trees-2019-10-15/