Essay On Mojave Desert

One of the greatest threats to the Mojave Desert is the use of Off Highway Vehicles (OHV’s). This paper will argue the relevant reasons why OHV’s should be banned in the Mojave Desert as well as many other desert environments. There have been many studies done that show the negative affect that OHV’s have on the Mojave Desert and other deserts.
Many environmentalists believe that they should be banned completely from the Mojave Desert because of the many effects on the natural environment. “OHV’s disturb the ground, vegetation, and wildlife” (Lawton 1). “Scientific research on OHV effects initially grew out of a response by federal and state land-managing agencies to the exploding growth of vehicle recreation in the late 1960s and through the 1970s. According to this research, off-highway vehicles damage soils directly through (1) disruption of the surface soil and (2) compaction of the surface soil and subsoil. The most important long term effect of OHV use on public lands is the accelerated erosion and the attendant inability to support natural re-vegetation” (Sampson).

In addition to damaging plants in the process of driving over them, off-road vehicles can spread seeds as they churn up soil and vegetation, aiding in the spread of weeds that can damage native plant life. A Montana State University Extension Service study found that one dirt bike can distribute 2,000 seeds over a 10-mile (16-kilometer) radius. As a natural habitat is churned up, eroded or invaded by noxious weeds, the wildlife that depends on it suffers. Also, the engine noise from ATVs and dirt bikes can frighten off animals, not only kicking them out of their habitat but also depriving hikers and campers of the chance to spot them (Lawton