Context:
- Fastest growing state in the US (16% rise (2.5million) over the last 15-20yrs)
- Guaranteed sunshine (40°C)
- Cheap land (pediment)
- Surrounded by the Mojave Desert
Opportunities:
- Cheap land
- Guaranteed sunshine
- Urban development (profit)
Challenges:
- Isolated/Remote (Have to invest in infrastructure)
- Fragile due to cryptobiotic soil crusts
- Fragile ecosystem
Physical:
- Harsh Climate
- Wind and water (flash flood)- They can remove unprotected soils and uproot vegetation.
- Lightning strikes can trigger fires (convection storms due to HP systems)
- Dust storms bury vegetation (high winds reduces photosynthesis as dust covers the leaves.
Human:
- Urbanisation and associated activities e.g. road building= separate out areas decreases migration for breeding.
- Water abstraction from groundwater= plants have long tap roots, lower the groundwater, the tap roots can no longer reach and the plants die.
- Grazing livestock= trampling.
- Introduction of non-native species both plant and animals= this changes the ecosystems they out compete local species.
Opportunities:
