Surveys show biodiversity in Mojave springs
By Mary Cook-Rhyne, MDLT Education Program Manager
Overview
In 2023 and 2024, interns with the Women In Science Discovering Our Mojave program (WISDOM) conducted a biological survey of four springs in Mojave Trails National Monument. More biological data is needed about the species that frequent these important water sources.
Interns Radhika Epps, Mariam Hussain, Jiseon Kim, Elisama Ortega, Adrienne Reschman, and Roxanna Nielsen visited the springs over a six-month period to observe and document all species.
MDLT’s WISDOM internship is conducted in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It provides women from underserved communities with scientific research opportunities. As of 2024, 36 interns have participated in a wide variety of projects within Mojave Trails National Monument.
Project location
Mojave Trails National Monument is administered by the BLM and spans 1.6 million acres. It was designated in 2016 to preserve its natural, cultural, and scenic resource values, including rugged mountain ranges, ancient lava flows, and spectacular sand dunes. “The area exemplifies the remarkable ecology of the Mojave Desert, where the hearty insistence of life is scratched out from unrelenting heat and dryness,” according to the presidential designation.
The springs
Teresa Spring is a perennial seep spring located within the Trilobite Wilderness Area. The spring is surrounded by Cambrian aged volcanic rock and Proterozoic aged granite of the Marble Mountains, a range that runs for 12-miles in a north-south direction (Sylvester and O’Black Gans 2016). The main spring covers an approximate area of 0.06 acres at an elevation of 2,456 ft above sea level.
Also located within Trilobite Wilderness Area is the seep spring Vernandyles. The spring is surrounded by volcanic rock and ash of the Cambrian aged Marble Mountains. The main spring covers an approximate area of 0.04 acres at an elevation of 2,596 ft above sea level. A dilapidated fence and water drinker is available onsite for local wildlife.
Located just 3.6 miles off Route 66 in Fenner Valley is Fenner Spring. This well-developed spring has hosted some mineral extraction. A search of the BLM’s General Land Office data shows that there were changes to land status, including mining activity, beginning in 1914 as recorded in the Land Status Record of 1919 (accessed June 26, 2024). A pipeline was laid in 1941, with a water tank, prospect, and shaft all being shown on a topographic map by 1956. There are drinkers set up along the path to the spring, though no surficial water was noted. The spring covers approximately 1.66 acres and sits at an elevation of 3,087 feet.
Springs are sacred spaces to Indigenous peoples. These four springs lie on the homelands of the Nüwüwü (Chemehuevi), the Vanyumé, the Yahaaviatam Marranga’yam (Serrano), the Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), the Pipa Aha Macav (Mohave), and the Newe Sogobia (Western Shoshone). This land holds the stories, culture, and traditions of these Indigenous peoples. We honor and respect the Indigenous peoples connected to this land and we commit to learning from these Tribal nations.
Results
Red-spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) tadpoles at Vernandyles Spring.
Teresa Spring
Teresa Spring was noted to have surface water every field day. Over 20 species of plants were observed at the site, including brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), Emory’s rock daisy (Perityle emoryi), groundcherries (Physalis crassifolia), chinchweed (Pectins papposa), pricklypear (Opuntia basilaris), and brittle spineflower (Chorizanthe breviovornu). Catclaw acacia (Sengalia greggii) and creosote (Larrea tridentata) dominated the site as the shrub species. Many animal and insect species were observed during field days, including a tarantula hawk (Pompilidae sp.), golden paper wasp (Polistes aurifer), a monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), a black-throated sparrow, (Amphispiza bilineata), and the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui). A drinker at the spring proves evidence of bighorn sheep at the location.
Vernandyles Spring
Vernandyles Spring had running water every field day. Interns saw the development of the red-spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) from tadpole to toad. Over 15 species of plants were observed at the site, some including brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), Emory’s rock daisy (Perityle emoryi), and groundcherries (Physalis crassifolia), pricklypear (Opuntia basilaris), and burrobush (Ambrosia Dumosa). Catclaw acacia (Sengalia greggii) dominated the site as the large shrub species. Multiple bird, insect, and animal species were observed, including a rattlesnake (Crotalus sp.), tarantula hawk (Pompilidae sp.), Lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria), and the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui). There is an animal drinker at the spring with evidence of mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and coyote.
Emory’s rock daisy (Perityle emoryi) was observed at 3 of the 4 spring sites.
Burnt Spring
At Burnt Spring interns were able to observe over 14 plant species, the most common being brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), Emory’s rock daisy (Perityle emoryi), and groundcherries (Physalis crassifolia). Catclaw acacia (Sengalia greggii), desert willow (Chilopsis lineraris), and smoke tree (Psororhamus spinosus) are the dominant shrub/tree species at the spring site. Animal species observed at the site include a western patch-nosed snake (Salvadora hexalepis), western side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana), the banded garden spider (Argiope trifasciata), white lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), a phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens), and a long-eared owl (Asio otus). There is evidence of bighorn sheep, coyote, and mountain lion at the site as well, those were not observed in person.
Fenner Spring
Fenner Spring had adits and a shaft on site, the remains of historic mining. On field day one, interns came upon a large herd of wild burros (Equis asinus). No surface water was present during the site visits. Catclaw acacia (Sengalia greggii) and smoke tree (Psororhamus spinosus) are the dominant shrub/tree species. The dominant plant species included creosote (Larrea tridentata), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), barrel cactus (Feracactus cylindraceus), Mojave yucca (Yucca shidigera), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), desert tobacco (Nicotiana obtusifolia), and groundcherries (Physalis crassifolia).
Conclusions
Teresa, Vernandyles, Burnt, and Fenner Springs all demonstrate the sheer variety of species that can be found within the desert. These spring sites are home to many plant, animal, and insect species, and underline the importance of protecting springs within the Mojave for the future. WISDOM data show these areas are alive and thriving.
The Mojave is home to over 2,400 native plant species and long-term surveys are increasing our understanding about Mojave Desert spring sources and quality (Zdon, 2020). Protecting springs helps protect our flora and fauna. It’s not every day that you run across a toad in the desert!
The WISDOM internship is supported by the Conservation Lands Foundation and is a collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management.
Sources and further reading
Zdon, Andrew. California Desert Springs and Waterholes: Spring Survey Update. Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. September 4, 2020.
Sylvester, Arthur G., and Elizabeth O’Black Gans. Roadside Geology of Southern California. Mountain Press Publishing Company, 2016.
“Official Land Records Site.” Home - BLM GLO Records, glorecords.blm.gov/default.aspx. Accessed 26 June 2024.