There are not many population centers in the Mojave but out of the most popularized, their instability erodes the desert landscape. Construction of dams to support the energy demand of cities effects marine life. Las Vegas, Nevada is a cultural hub where every year there is construction of a new casino and hotel. This impact is minimal compared to what other counties are proposing. There are talks about construction of an airport in Ivanpah Valley, construction of a train linking Las Vegas and Victorville (backed by private investors), and another highway connecting Victorville and Palmdale. None of the projects suggest negotiations with The Nature Conservancy about how to approach construction while creating little to no impact on the Mojave ecosystem.
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| Las Vegas 30 years ago and today |
Another impact imposed by humans is fire. According to the
Journal of Arid Environments, the only species that thrived in fire was the kangaroo rat while small mammals were reduced significantly. If expansive fires continue to culminate the Mojave ecosystem, the kangaroo rat will dominate the open habitat and limit the growth of perennial vegetation.
Bombs were constantly tested in the Mojave desert which allowed for radiation poisoning of plant and animal species in and around the nuclear testing sites. Even today there are military testing, but now it is mostly rocket engines. The ecosystem impact of such tests nowadays is minimal but existent.
The liter left behind in the Mojave reaches an exaggerated scale. Abandoned mines, abandoned water parks and an airplane graveyard and but a few of the messes left behind..
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