On Their Way Out?

It’s hard to imagine Joshua Tree National Park without its namesake trees, but that possibility is becoming increasingly real. Rising temperatures, prolonged drought, and more frequent wildfires are threatening the survival of these unusual desert plants. Joshua trees grow slowly, and young seedlings are having difficulty surviving in the hotter, drier conditions. Scientists predict that much of the park’s suitable Joshua tree habitat could disappear by the end of this century. It’s a sobering thought that future visitors might wander through Joshua Tree National Park and wonder where all the Joshua trees went.

The National Park Service confirms these threats, although “at risk” is more accurate than “endangered” as a formal classification.