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Activities > Land Use History [ || Soil Moisture || Geology & Soil Texture || Biological Soil Crusts || Fire || Vegetation Dynamics || Soil Compaction || Wind Erosion || Climate || Repeat Photography || Land Use History || Spatial Modeling || ]
Methodology To understand the impacts of human activities on the Mojave Desert ecosystem, scientists need information on how the ecosystem has been used in the past. Historical maps from the USGS and other sources are being scanned and georeferenced. Land use types including grazing areas, transportation routes, populated places, mining, water sources, water and power infrastructure, military forts and bases, and other structures are being digitized from historical maps and assigned attributes according to types and dates. These data can then be analyzed to determine the impacts of various types of disturbance and to study recovery times and processes.
Commercial grazing activities were phased out within the Mojave National Preserve but continue to impact the ecosystem.
The automobile made an early impact on the Mojave Desert ecosystem. Road maps for the region were published as early as 1915.
Mining methods used in the Mojave Desert ecosystem include shafts, tunnels, and open pits. The Viceroy Mine, where gold has been extracted since the early 1990s, is a prime example of an open pit mine. Products Chronology of Development in the Mojave Desert [ || Overview || Activities || Products || Photo Gallery || Glossary || Links || Feedback || Sitemap || ] |
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