Joshua Trees: The Struggle for Survival in a Changing Climate

A 2.5 million-year-old tree may become the first plant species to win legal protection under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition to protect Joshua trees in California, as research indicates that their current habitat is becoming less viable due to climate crisis-related threats.

Native to the Mojave Desert, the twisted and spiky Joshua tree, scientifically known as Yucca brevifolia, presents a variety of forms. Some trees are full and bushy, while others are spindly and open in shape. They play a crucial role in the Mojave ecosystem, providing habitat for numerous birds, mammals, insects, and lizards. However, studies reveal that only 0.02% of the tree’s current habitat in Joshua Tree National Park will remain viable due to climate change by the end of the century.

This decline is tied to rising temperatures, which limit reproduction in Joshua trees. Additionally, invasive grasses have altered fire regimes in the Mojave Desert, enabling fires to spread from tree to tree. Consequently, the California Fish and Game Commission has acknowledged that listing the western Joshua tree as threatened or endangered under CESA may be necessary. If listed, it would become illegal to damage, remove, or cut down any of these trees without a permit or special permission. The committee is commencing a one-year status review of the species and will make a final decision in a future meeting.

During this review, the tree will be safeguarded. “This is a huge victory for these beautiful trees and their fragile desert ecosystem,” states Brendan Cummings, conservation director for the Center for Biological Diversity. “If Joshua trees are to survive the inhospitable climate we’re giving them, the first and most important thing we can do is protect their habitat. This decision will achieve that across most of their range.”