Desert Tortoise Population Monitoring
Berger C and Carlsen W. 2023. Desert Tortoise Population Monitoring. National Park Service, Joshua Tree National Park
This brief describes ecological methods used to estimate populations of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and summarizes population trends in Joshua Tree National Park. The ecology of the tortoise has been studied at the park since 1978. Although the species is well adapted to life in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, its populations have declined precipitously in recent years. Research suggests that the primary threats to tortoises in the park are climate change (warmer temperatures and decreased precipitation), road mortality, and predation by the common raven.
- Type
- Resource Brief
- Authors
- Berger, Cynthia; Carlsen, William
- Date of Issue
- 2023-03-25
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Joshua Tree National Park
- Units
- JOTR
- Keywords
- Agassiz desert tortoise, climate change, desert tortoise, Mojave desert, Mojave desert tortoise, population biology, radiotelemetry, Sonoran desert, wildlife monitoring
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Desert Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Amphibians and Reptiles , NPS.gov Subject Site: Amphibians & Reptiles , NPS.gov Subject Site: At-Risk Species , NPS.gov Subject Site: Climate Change , NPS.gov Subject Site: Deserts , NPS.gov Subject Site: Park Science