Mojave Desert

Ecosystem Overview

The Mojave Desert ecosystem supports 93 documented wildlife species across 87 taxonomic genera. Located in San Bernardino County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 19 frequently observed species and 18 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby San Bernardino, Mojave Desert hosts 26% more species diversity. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 34 San Bernardino County County natural areas, placing it in the 88th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 34 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional28 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 34 locations

88th percentile for diversity

vs. San Bernardino

+26% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 93 total documented species.

Larrea tridentata

Very Common26 obs.

Opuntia chlorotica

pancake prickly-pear

Very Common5 obs.

Castilleja chromosa

desert paintbrush

Very Common5 obs.

Salvia dorrii

Very Common4 obs.

Amphispiza bilineata

Black-throated Sparrow

Very Common4 obs.

Phacelia fremontii

Common4 obs.

Cylindropuntia echinocarpa

ground cholla

Common4 obs.

Adenophyllum cooperi

Common4 obs.

Tamarix aphylla

Athel tamarisk

Common4 obs.

Krascheninnikovia lanata

winterfat

Common4 obs.

Coleogyne ramosissima

blackbrush

Common4 obs.

Euphorbia albomarginata

Whitemargin sandmat

Occasional3 obs.

Yucca baccata

Banana Yucca

Occasional3 obs.

Thamnosma montana

Occasional3 obs.

Elymus elymoides

squirreltail

Occasional3 obs.

Dipsosaurus dorsalis

Desert iguana

Occasional3 obs.

Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa

buckhorn cholla

Occasional3 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing saltbush

Rare2 obs.

Fallugia paradoxa

apache-plume

Rare2 obs.

Loeseliastrum schottii

Rare2 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Mojave Desert. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+82%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Bernardino County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Bernardino

Importance: 0.51

74 species

+26% vs. current

San Bernardino County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-7% vs. current

Victorville

Importance: 0.47

24 species

+288% vs. current

Rancho Cucamonga

Importance: 0.45

80 species

+16% vs. current

Barstow

Importance: 0.43

20 species

+365% vs. current

Big Bear Lake

Importance: 0.41

69 species

+35% vs. current

Adelanto

Importance: 0.40

7 species

+1229% vs. current

Apple Valley

Importance: 0.40

33 species

+182% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within San Bernardino County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+82%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Bernardino County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Bernardino

Importance: 0.51

74 species

+26% vs. current

San Bernardino County

Importance: 0.50

100 species

-7% vs. current

Victorville

Importance: 0.47

24 species

+288% vs. current

Rancho Cucamonga

Importance: 0.45

80 species

+16% vs. current

Barstow

Importance: 0.43

20 species

+365% vs. current

Big Bear Lake

Importance: 0.41

69 species

+35% vs. current

Adelanto

Importance: 0.40

7 species

+1229% vs. current

Apple Valley

Importance: 0.40

33 species

+182% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 34 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional28 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 34 locations

88th percentile for diversity

vs. San Bernardino

+26% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 93 total documented species.

Larrea tridentata

Very Common26 obs.

Opuntia chlorotica

pancake prickly-pear

Very Common5 obs.

Castilleja chromosa

desert paintbrush

Very Common5 obs.

Salvia dorrii

Very Common4 obs.

Amphispiza bilineata

Black-throated Sparrow

Very Common4 obs.

Phacelia fremontii

Common4 obs.

Cylindropuntia echinocarpa

ground cholla

Common4 obs.

Adenophyllum cooperi

Common4 obs.

Tamarix aphylla

Athel tamarisk

Common4 obs.

Krascheninnikovia lanata

winterfat

Common4 obs.

Coleogyne ramosissima

blackbrush

Common4 obs.

Euphorbia albomarginata

Whitemargin sandmat

Occasional3 obs.

Yucca baccata

Banana Yucca

Occasional3 obs.

Thamnosma montana

Occasional3 obs.

Elymus elymoides

squirreltail

Occasional3 obs.

Dipsosaurus dorsalis

Desert iguana

Occasional3 obs.

Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa

buckhorn cholla

Occasional3 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing saltbush

Rare2 obs.

Fallugia paradoxa

apache-plume

Rare2 obs.

Loeseliastrum schottii

Rare2 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 93 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.