Analysis and Assessment of Military and Non-Military Impacts on Biodiversity: A Framework for Environmental Management on DoD Lands Using the Mojave Desert as a Regional Case Study
Abstract
This study designed and modeled alternative futures (patterns of land use as they might exist in the year 2020) to assess the projected status of biodiversity in the California Mojave Desert. The objective was to assist DoD in proactive ecosystem management of the Mojave Desert by providing projections on changing patterns of land use that might occur by 2020, and to assess the impact of future scenarios on the viability of a number of local fauna species. The set of alternative futures was based on assumptions derived from biophysical, economic, and socio-demographic drivers. While approximately 33 alternative futures were developed in the study, only 9 were evaluated against the 11 local species. These species were the Desert tortoise, Chuckwalla, Zebra-tailed lizard, Mojave fringe-toed lizard, Black-collared lizard, Side-blotched lizard, Western whiptail, Bendire's thrasher, Le Conte's thrasher, Mojave ground squirrel, and the Panamint kangaroo rat. The scenarios presented fall into two broad categories: (1) the likely trend of future development under past development policies and patterns, and (2) various alternatives to the trend that meet specific stakeholder interests and concerns. The wide range of scenarios explored urban encroachment buffers, infrastructure upgrades and enhancements, ecologically-based restrictions on development, and public/private land exchanges. Results show that all of the futures have essentially the same impact on habitat loss with some affecting some species more than others. The habitat most threatened is the sand and gravel-dominated habitat, 66% of which occurs on private land. The three species most threatened in this habitat are the Panamint kangaroo rat, the Mojave ground squirrel, and the Mojave fringe-toed lizard. The authors recommend that DoD be concerned over the potential loss of the Mojave Desert habitat and take a proactive role by assisting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in managing it.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA414355
Entities
People
- David Mouat
Organizations
- University of Nevada, Reno