Central Pivot Irrigation Circles in Humboldt County, Nevada (LOCAL)

Here we have two central pivot irrigation circles in Humboldt County, Nevada. This falls within Neartic realm of the
biosphere, specifically, the Great Basin Desert. While the park is host to over 900 species of plants and shrubs, the arid
environment makes growing crops challenging. This desert receives less than 10 inches of rain a year typically. Many of
the species that naturally occur here have adapted in ways such as extending their roots to maximize water
consumption or developing an exterior that aids in slowing evaporation. Central pivot irrigation is popular in deserts all
over the world.




United States. National Park Service. "Plants." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 15 Oct. 2014. Web.
15 Oct. 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/grba/naturescience/plants.html



Humboldt
County,
NV
ENDEMIC PLANTS
Wax flower, Nevada
Primrose and
Intermountain
Wavewing and more
Central Pivot Irrigation Circles in Great Basin Desert, Nevada(REGIONAL)




The Great Basin Desert is the largest desert in the United States. It is also classified as a cold desert, which means that
most precipitation is from snow or clouds. This is a byproduct of being located just east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
in the rain shadow. There are several endangered species of animals in this desert and the surrounding areas. These
irrigation circles promote the economy to nearby communities and thereby increase population and pollution. The
Great Basin Desert has many threats for desertification.




United States. National Park Service. "Endemic Animals." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 15 Oct. 2014. Web.
15 Oct. 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/grba/naturescience/endemic-animals.htm>.
United States. National Park Service. "Deserts." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Oct.
2014. <http://www.nps.gov/grba/naturescience/deserts.htm>.
Here we have 20-40
additional irrigational
circles, some of which
appear abandoned.
Central Pivot Irrigation Circles in Great Basin Desert (GLOBAL)


Here we can see the Sierra Nevada mountains and the wall that they create for the Pacific Ocean winds. These winds
are forced higher until they manifest in rain. After the rain, the air that creeps over the mountains is dry and thus
creates the desert. We can also see a fraction of the irrigation circles, however this gives us an idea of reach that these
circles have. The Great Basin Deserts biggest causes of desertification would be wind erosion, pollution and climate
change. Abandoned irrigation circles in the past have contributed to wind erosion. While these circles are interesting
and eye catching, you can see there is some issues with their contributing to the desertification of the Great Desert
Basin.

United States. National Park Service. "Deserts." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Oct.
2014. <http://www.nps.gov/grba/naturescience/deserts.htm>.
"DESERTIFICATION OF ARID LANDS."DESERTIFICATION OF ARID LANDS. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/docs/002-193/002-193.html>.

SCREENCAST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YXIBPXyYsw&list=UUZvnpxm68YUtznhO6bDigLw
Mojave Desert