HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems
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HARTMAN MULTIMEDIA
Nature Based Multimedia Information Systems |
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Located in the eastern portion of the Mojave Desert,
this range includes various elements of interest.
Much of the area consists of sparse creosote bush scrub on a rocky
substrate, a small portion is of Joshua tree woodland, and there is an important
and outstanding example of the desert riparian association in the vicinity of
Piute Springs. Here, cottonwoods,
Populus fremontii, desert willow, Chilopsis linearis, and other desert-wash
plants are found in great abundance. The springs flow at a rate of up to 379 liters (100
gallons) per minute. As a result of
the permanent fresh water, there is an abundant animal population in the
vicinity. The area is known as one
of the best sites to observe birds in the high desert.
The Mojave chub, Gila mohavensis, has been planted in the creek.
Bighorn, Ovis canadensis, are frequent visitors, and the range is one of
the few localities in California where the Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum,
has been reported. Tertiary volcanics comprise the bulk of the range. Some
of the late Tertiary, early Pleistocene basalt has been faulted, forming steep
cliffs. Near Fort Piute are early and mid-Pleistocene
fossil-bearing sediments with excellent deposits of the Irvingtonian fossil
fauna, including several horses, numerous small mammals and a number of bird
fossils. Here, too, are also fossil Pleistocene springs, with tufa and peat. Integrity: There
has been some recreational development, and vandalism has occurred in the
vicinity of the springs and fort, but most of the area is virtually undisturbed. Use: Research,
educational, observational. Some
private. December 1976
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